Affordable Beach Wallpaper to Elevate Your Home

Learn how to choose and install beach wallpaper to instantly give your home a beautiful, coastal vibe.

You might think wallpaper is old-school, but I love how it instantly transforms a space. Beautiful beach wallpaper doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, it’s one of the most user-friendly DIY projects you can do to add coastal charm to your home.

Key Takeaways:

Why use wallpaper to transform your home
Things to look for when choosing a wallpaper design
Wallpaper ideas by room
Tips for installing wallpaper
My beach wallpaper recommendations

Why Wallpaper Works So Well in a Beach House

Beach wallpaper adds texture, movement, and color reminiscent of the ocean. Paint can only do so much—a design gives a space that coastal feel you’re looking for.

It’s also much easier to refresh or change than to do a full renovation or paint job. Simply peel it off and stick on a new one. Wallpaper is a budget-friendly option for renters, DIYers, or if you want an easy design project for your home.

Wallpaper works beautifully in small spaces like bathrooms or hallways. It becomes a statement accent wall that everyone will comment on.

What to Look for in Affordable Beach House Wallpaper

Of course, you have the traditional wallpaper that’s been used for decades. It’s made from paper or vinyl-coated paper and is applied using adhesive paste or glue. It’s harder to install, but usually lasts longer, especially in humid environments.

Peel-and-stick is becoming more popular because it’s very easy to install. Think of it like a giant sticker—you peel off the backing and smooth it onto your wall. Anyone can do it! If you love refreshing your space often without committing to a long-term design, peel-and-stick beach wallpaper is the solution.

In terms of coastal design, look for soft blues, sandy neutrals, whitewashed textures, and sea-inspired hues. Large patterns become statement pieces in your home, while subtle patterns give you that light, airy feeling.

I have some beach wallpaper recommendations for you at the end!

Top Affordable Beach House Wallpaper Styles

I personally love coastal stripes and palm prints. Coastal stripes are typically classic navy and white or subtle linen textures. They are a subtle way to bring that beach lifestyle into your home.

Palm and tropical prints bring a breezy vacation vibe. It makes me feel like I’m in Florida or Hawaii! They’re more of a statement piece, but with the right coastal colors, they won’t overwhelm the room.

Sometimes I like designing with watercolor waves or ombré blues to bring abstract ocean patterns into the home.

If you like traditional beach wallpaper, look for nautical and marine motifs, like shells, coral, and rope-inspired designs. Seaside textures such as faux shiplap, grasscloth, or driftwood-inspired patterns can also give you that beachy feeling at home.

Room-by-Room Ideas

The great thing about beach wallpaper is that it can be used in any room in your house! I wouldn’t recommend putting it in every room, but you have options.

If you want to use wallpaper in your living room, go for light, airy patterns that open the space. It makes the room feel bigger, while keeping the decor on-brand.

Bathrooms are probably the most popular place to use wallpaper. You can be a little bolder with your design choices, since it’s not the main part of the house where people hang out. Just remember to use moisture-resistant options so it lasts longer.

Bedrooms are supposed to be relaxing, so calming coastal hues are perfect. You probably don’t want this beach wallpaper style to be too overwhelming as you’re going to sleep.

I love a good entryway or accent wall design! Bold nautical or tropical statement wallpaper instantly sets the tone for the rest of the house.

If you want to experiment with color and texture, try beach wallpaper.

6 Tips for Installing Wallpaper on a Budget

We aren’t trying to break the bank when it comes to designing our home. Wallpaper is a budget-friendly option to transform a space. You don’t even need a professional installer or a big renovation budget to get it right. With a little prep and patience, you can give your beach house walls a fresh, designer look for less.

Here’s how to stretch your budget without sacrificing style or quality.

1. Start Small

If you’re new to wallpapering, begin with an accent wall, a powder room, or even a nook or hallway. Smaller spaces cost less in materials and allow you to test your skills before tackling a larger room.

2. Choose Peel-and-Stick for Easy DIY

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is the most budget-friendly option for beginners. You save on installation costs, avoid the mess of paste, and can reposition panels if you make a mistake. Plus, if your style changes later, you can remove it easily without damaging the walls.

3. Prep Your Walls Properly

A smooth, clean surface makes all the difference in how long your wallpaper lasts. Before applying wallpaper, wipe down walls, fill any holes, and sand away texture.

4. Measure Carefully

Always measure twice and buy about 10% more than you think you’ll need. This covers pattern matching, trimming, and any errors without forcing you to reorder.

5. DIY Installation Tools

You don’t need fancy tools. A few basics will do, and you probably already have them at home!

A utility knife or sharp scissors for trimming
A smoothing tool or a plastic card to remove bubbles
A tape measure and level for alignment
A step stool for reaching higher spots

6. Take Your Time

Rushing can lead to mistakes, wasted material, and frustration. Install one panel at a time, step back frequently, and smooth from the center outward to avoid bubbles. A careful, steady approach makes even an inexpensive wallpaper look perfectly tailored.

Beach Wallpaper Shopping Guide

You didn’t think I’d leave you hanging, did you? These are my top beach wallpaper picks on Amazon—all for under $50/roll!

View all my beach wallpaper recommendations on my Amazon storefront.

Install Your Beach Wallpaper!

You don’t need a huge budget to capture coastal charm in your home. Beach wallpaper completely transforms the space from drab to fab.

With a DIY approach, you don’t have to commit to wallpapering your entire house. Start with one room, and go from there. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert in installing wallpaper and your home will be the envy of all your friends.

Shop my Amazon storefront for all your beach wallpaper needs.

FAQs About Beach Wallpaper

Is peel-and-stick wallpaper durable?

If you choose a high-quality peel-and-stick wallpaper, install it properly, and use it in a reasonably controlled environment (not heavy steam, not outdoors, not super humid), you can expect it to last several years.

What’s best for humid rooms?

If you’re planning to use wallpaper in a space with higher humidity (bathroom, laundry, spa room, basement, etc.), go for vinyl-backed or vinyl peel-and-stick, or wallpaper labelled moisture-resistant, washable, or bathroom/kitchen safe.