Authentic Grasscloth Vs. Faux Grasscloth: How to Choose 

As interior decorators continue to embrace layered texture and elevated finishes, many are turning to grasscloth wallpaper to add richness, dimension, and warmth to their walls. From relaxed coastal homes to tailored contemporary interiors, authentic grasscloth has become a designer favorite for creating spaces that feel polished, inviting, and thoughtfully curated.

In this blog post, we’re sharing everything you need to know about authentic grasscloth wallpaper and how to decide between real or faux grasscloth for your space.

The History of Grasscloth Wallpaper

Originating in Asia, the concept of using natural grasses on walls dates back more than 2,000 years. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that authentic grasscloth wallpaper saw a major rise in popularity in the United States. By the 1970s, it had become a staple in sophisticated interiors, admired for its organic beauty and artisanal craftsmanship.

Its popularity coincides with a growing global awareness around sustainability and natural materials. Because grasscloth wallpaper is made from renewable resources such as grasses, jute, sisal, cork, and paper fibers, it is an appealing design choice for eco-conscious homeowners and designers alike.

Today, authentic grasscloth is experiencing a strong resurgence as interiors continue to embrace layered texture, organic materials, and elevated natural design. Designers are increasingly using authentic grasscloth wallpaper to soften modern spaces, bring warmth to minimalist interiors, and create depth within coastal, rustic, transitional, and contemporary homes.

One of the most captivating qualities of authentic grasscloth is the way it interacts with light. The woven fibers create subtle tonal shifts and natural variations that add movement and visual dimension throughout the day. Designers often use grasscloth to make large rooms feel more intimate, add sophistication to dining rooms and libraries, or create a serene, textural backdrop in bedrooms and living spaces.

Its handcrafted nature also gives every installation a collected, bespoke quality that feels intentionally curated rather than mass produced. In a time when homeowners are craving interiors that feel personal and layered, authentic grasscloth wallpaper offers a timeless design statement that feels both refined and relaxed.

How is Authentic Grasscloth Wallpaper Made?

Authentic grasscloth wallpaper is made from natural grasses that are woven together to create a richly textured wallcovering.

Grasscloth wallpaper is handcrafted from fine natural fibers harvested from sustainable crops. The process is more labor intensive, but also more environmentally conscious, as fibers are often hand dyed using water-based vegetable dyes that avoid harsh chemicals. The materials are then sun dried, reducing the need for energy-intensive drying methods. Once dried, artisans weave the fibers by hand on looms using time-honored techniques that preserve the material’s natural beauty and character.

The common materials used to make textured grasscloth wallpaper include sisal, jute, arrowroot, and more. These eco-friendly fibers bring warmth, shine, and sophistication to interiors.

The common materials used to make textured grasscloth wallpaper include sisal, cork, arrowroot, and more. These eco-friendly fibers bring shine and sophistication to any space.

• Sisal Grasscloth: Sisal is made of handwoven strands of natural fibers extracted from an agave plant.
• Mica: Mica is a natural mineral that offers a shimmering stone look. Arrowroot Weave Grasscloth: Arrowroot is made from a tropical perennial plant.
• Jute Grasscloth: Natural Jute fibers are made from plants of the Corchorus family.
• Cork: Cork wallpaper is made from the bark of the cork oak tree.
• Paper Weave: Paper weave patterns are made of natural grasses and fibers.
• Boodle Grasscloth: Authentic Boodle wallpaper features horizontal strands made from real, wetland grass.
• Linen Grasslcoth: Linen Grasscloth wallpaper is made from the natural fibers of the flax plant

Authentic Vs. Faux Grasscloth 

Because of its handcrafted construction and artisanal quality, authentic grasscloth wallpaper is typically more expensive than traditional wallpaper. It is also traditionally installed, as authentic grasscloth is unpasted and requires professional application. Natural variations in color and weave are part of its beauty and should be embraced as part of the organic character of the material.

For homeowners who love the sophisticated look of grasscloth but want a more versatile, affordable, and easy-to-install option, faux grasscloth wallpaper is an exceptional alternative.

Tempaper & Co. has created a collection of faux grasscloth peel and stick wallpaper that beautifully captures the look and texture of authentic woven wallcoverings while offering the convenience of modern performance materials. Easy to apply and easy to remove, faux peel and stick grasscloth allows homeowners and renters alike to enjoy the elevated appearance of grasscloth without the permanence or maintenance concerns of natural fibers.

Our faux grasscloth wallpapers are incredibly advanced in both design and manufacturing. Through an expertly refined gravure printing process, deep etched engravings and carefully calibrated heating and cooling techniques, we create dimensional texture and raised inks that closely mimic the tactile quality of authentic grasscloth. The result is a peel and stick faux grasscloth wallpaper that delivers impressive realism with exceptional durability and consistency.

Faux grasscloth wallpaper also offers practical advantages that make it especially appealing for busy homes and high traffic spaces. Unlike authentic grasscloth, which can be delicate and prone to staining or water spotting, faux grasscloth is easier to clean and maintain. Our Tempaper vinyl faux grasscloth peel and stick wallpapers can also be used in moisture-prone spaces such as bathrooms, powder rooms, laundry rooms, and basements where natural fibers may not be ideal.

Designers are increasingly specifying faux grasscloth in projects where they want the warmth and sophistication of woven texture combined with modern durability and performance. It offers a polished, designer-inspired look that works beautifully across coastal, rustic, transitional, and contemporary interiors while making installation and upkeep significantly easier.

Whether you gravitate toward the artisan beauty of authentic grasscloth or the versatility and convenience of faux grasscloth, both offer a timeless way to add texture and dimension to your walls.

At Tempaper & Co., we offer an extensive and beautiful collection of both authentic grasscloth and faux peel and stick grasscloth wallpaper in a wide range of colors, textures, and designer-inspired styles. From handcrafted natural weaves to advanced peel and stick faux grasscloth designs, our collections make it easy to bring elevated texture and sophisticated style into any interior space.