6 Best Vinyl Wall Coverings That Feel Surprisingly Spacious
Discover 6 vinyl wall coverings that make any room feel larger. Light colors and subtle textures are key to creating a surprisingly spacious and stylish effect.
Staring at the four walls of a small space can feel like they’re closing in, a common frustration whether you’re in a tiny home, an RV, or a compact apartment. Many people default to plain white paint, fearing that any pattern will make the room feel smaller. But the right vinyl wall covering can do the exact opposite, creating powerful illusions of depth, height, and light.
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Why Vinyl Is Ideal for Small Space Illusions
Vinyl wall coverings, especially the peel-and-stick variety, are a small-space secret weapon. Unlike traditional wallpaper that requires messy paste and a permanent commitment, modern vinyl is forgiving. You can install it, reposition it, and even remove it without damaging the wall—a critical feature for renters or anyone living in a vehicle where modifications need to be reversible.
The material itself is also perfectly suited for the rigors of compact living. It’s durable, scrubbable, and resistant to the moisture and temperature swings common in RVs and vans. Forget the fragile, easily-torn papers of the past. Today’s vinyl can handle bumps, scuffs, and spills, making it a practical choice for high-traffic, multi-use areas where every wall is within arm’s reach. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about choosing a material that works as hard as you do to make your small space functional.
RoomMates White Brick for a Bright, Open Feel
There’s a reason white brick is a timeless choice for making spaces feel bigger. It adds texture and visual interest without introducing a busy or overwhelming pattern. The white color reflects maximum light, instantly brightening up dark corners and making the entire room feel more expansive and awake.
The RoomMates White Brick pattern is particularly effective because its design is realistic but not visually jarring. The "grout" lines provide subtle geometry that breaks up a flat wall, but the overall effect remains clean and cohesive. In a small living area or sleeping nook, this can transform a boxy, uninspired wall into a feature that feels both rustic and modern. It gives you the character of a brick wall without the weight, cost, or permanence.
NuWallpaper Stripes for Vertical Height Illusion
Low ceilings are the bane of many small spaces, from basements to campervans. A simple and incredibly effective way to combat this is with vertical stripes. By drawing the eye upward, a striped pattern creates a powerful illusion of height, making the ceiling feel further away than it actually is.
The trick is to use them strategically. Covering every wall in a bold stripe can feel like living inside a circus tent. Instead, use a product like NuWallpaper’s pinstripe or broader stripe patterns on a single accent wall—perhaps the one behind your bed or a short wall in a hallway. This creates a focal point that adds height without overwhelming the space. The goal is an optical trick, not a theme. A subtle, tone-on-tone stripe can be just as effective as a high-contrast one while maintaining a more serene, sophisticated feel.
Tempaper Burlap Weave Adds Subtle, Warm Depth
Not every space-enhancing wall covering needs to be bright white or have a bold pattern. Sometimes, the best way to create an illusion of space is by adding subtle texture. A flat, painted wall can feel stark and one-dimensional, but a light-colored, textured vinyl like a burlap or grasscloth weave introduces a layer of soft, visual depth.
This approach is perfect for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere that still feels open and airy. The Tempaper Burlap Weave adds just enough texture to catch the light in interesting ways, preventing walls from feeling lifeless. It warms up a space without using dark colors, making it an excellent choice for a bedroom or a small living room where you want to feel enveloped and comfortable, not confined. It proves that "spacious" doesn’t have to mean "sterile."
Scott Living Metallic Geo to Maximize Light
Light is the most critical element in making a small space feel large, and metallic accents are your best friend in manipulating it. A wall covering with a subtle metallic geometric pattern acts like a collection of tiny mirrors, catching and bouncing light around the room. This is especially useful in spaces with limited natural light or in corners that tend to feel dark and forgotten.
The key is subtlety. You aren’t looking for a high-shine, foil-like finish that will create glare. Instead, seek out designs like the Scott Living Metallic Geo collection, where a delicate metallic sheen is overlaid on a light, neutral background. The geometric lines add modern structure, while the metallic finish adds a touch of glamour and, more importantly, function.
- Placement is crucial: Use it on the wall opposite a window to maximize daylight.
- Consider artificial light: It also works wonders in entryways or hallways where a single light fixture needs to do a lot of work.
- Avoid overuse: Like stripes, this is often best used on an accent wall to create a feature without becoming visually chaotic.
This technique doesn’t just brighten a room; it makes it feel more dynamic and alive. As you move through the space and the light changes throughout the day, the wall will shift and shimmer, adding a layer of sophisticated energy that paint alone can’t achieve.
NextWall Wood Plank for Coastal, Airy Style
The "shiplap" or wood plank look is incredibly popular for a reason: it evokes a sense of breezy, open style. Using a light-colored wood plank vinyl, like those from NextWall, can make a room feel wider and more relaxed. Horizontal lines draw the eye from side to side, creating an illusion of width, which is perfect for narrow rooms or long hallways in a tiny home.
This is the direct opposite of the old, dark wood paneling that made basements feel like dungeons. A white or light-gray wood grain pattern provides the character and rustic charm of real wood without the weight, expense, or visual heaviness. It’s a perfect fit for a coastal, modern farmhouse, or Scandinavian aesthetic—all styles known for their emphasis on light and airiness. You get the texture and linear interest that breaks up a boring wall while reinforcing a bright, open-concept feeling.
Photowall Faded Murals Create Scenic Depth
For a truly dramatic spatial illusion, consider a large-scale mural. This might sound counterintuitive, as a large image could seem overwhelming. However, the right mural acts like a window to another world, creating a profound sense of depth that pushes the wall far into the distance.
The key is choosing an image with a strong sense of perspective. A faded, atmospheric landscape—like misty mountains, a forest path, or a serene coastline—is ideal. These scenes naturally have a foreground, midground,and background, which tricks your brain into perceiving real depth. A flat, graphic pattern won’t have the same effect. Photowall and similar companies offer countless options that can be printed to your exact wall dimensions. By turning an entire wall into a distant vista, you don’t just decorate the space; you fundamentally change its perceived boundaries.
Installation Tips for a Seamless, Pro Finish
The difference between a vinyl wall covering that looks amazing and one that looks like a cheap DIY project comes down to installation. Even if you’ve never done it before, a few key steps will ensure a professional-looking finish that lasts. Don’t rush the prep work; it’s the most important part of the job.
First, your wall surface must be right. Peel-and-stick vinyl needs a smooth, clean surface to adhere properly. Fill any holes, sand down any bumps, and wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove all dust and grime. If your wall has a textured finish, you may need to skim-coat it with joint compound for a flat surface. For best results, apply a coat of primer a few days before you plan to install the vinyl—this seals the wall and ensures the adhesive can be removed later without peeling off your paint.
When you’re ready to hang the first panel, do not trust that your ceiling or corner is perfectly straight. It almost never is. Use a level to draw a perfectly vertical plumb line about one inch less than the width of your roll from the corner. Aligning your first piece to this line ensures every subsequent piece will be perfectly straight.
Finally, work slowly and methodically. Peel back only the top foot of the backing paper to start, press the vinyl to the wall along your plumb line, and then use a plastic smoothing tool to work your way down, pushing out air bubbles as you go. Slowly pull the backing paper down with one hand while you smooth with the other. A little patience here prevents the frustration of wrinkles and bubbles that are difficult to remove later.
Ultimately, vinyl wall coverings are more than just decoration; they are a powerful tool for reshaping your perception of a space. By thoughtfully choosing a pattern that manipulates light, texture, or perspective, you can make even the smallest room feel intentionally designed, comfortable, and surprisingly spacious. Don’t be afraid to go beyond the paint can and give your walls the job of making your small home feel limitless.
