【Expert Guide】Types and Features of Specialty Wallpapers Explained

Looking to bring warmth and character into your renovation project?

For hotels and accommodation facilities, renovation is the ideal time to refresh interiors and elevate the overall atmosphere.
By focusing on eye-catching feature walls and using specialty wallpapers made from unique, non-vinyl materials, you can instantly transform the look and feel of a space.

In this guide, we introduce carefully selected specialty wallpapers, organized by material type.

Washi (Traditional Japanese Paper)

While vinyl wallpaper is widely used today, washi wallpaper remains popular for its rich natural texture and handcrafted appearance.

Each sheet is made using traditional water-based techniques, creating subtle textures and unique variations.
Washi also helps regulate indoor humidity and does not emit formaldehyde, making it a safe and eco-friendly choice.

Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, washi wallpaper suits modern Japanese interiors as well as warm, elegant spaces.

Fabric / Textile Wallpaper

 

Fabric wallpaper is popular in ryokan lobbies and guest rooms for its luxurious appearance and warm, welcoming feel.
Its elegant woven textures and embroidery create a refined quality that vinyl wallpaper cannot replicate.

Despite its textured surface, fabric wallpaper is highly durable and often treated with water-repellent finishes, making maintenance easy.
Many products also meet non-combustible standards, an essential requirement for hotels and commercial facilities.

Some advanced fabric wallpapers are even designed for museums, helping reduce harmful gases such as ammonia that can cause discoloration or deterioration of exhibits.

Natural Material Wallpaper

 

Eco-friendly hotels and homes using sustainable materials are gaining increasing attention.

From woven wallpapers made of cotton or linen, with visible natural fibers, to innovative wallpapers produced from recycled rice husks, there is a wide variety of environmentally friendly options available.

For Japan’s climate, where humidity levels fluctuate greatly throughout the year, diatomaceous earth wallpaper is especially recommended.
Its matte, natural texture is distinctive, and it naturally absorbs moisture in summer and releases it in winter—helping to reduce condensation and mold growth.

 

Gold Leaf / Silver Leaf Wallpaper

 

Gold and silver leaf wallpapers are especially popular in ryokan, shrines, and temples, where their rich, aged tones create a sense of depth and tradition.

Many products are handcrafted by skilled artisans, carefully layered over time.
Despite their delicate appearance, they offer surprising durability and long-lasting beauty.

Subtle silver leaf finishes and gentle gradations provide an elegant yet understated look, making them ideal as accent walls in shops, alcoves (tokonoma), and refined interior spaces.

 

 

Natural Wood Wallpaper

If vinyl wood-grain wallpaper doesn’t feel realistic enough, natural wood wallpaper is the ideal solution.

Made from thinly sliced real wood and handcrafted by skilled artisans, this wallpaper highlights authentic wood grain and texture, creating a warm and calming atmosphere that feels genuinely natural.

With non-combustible performance, it is widely used in stages and hotels, while also being well suited for residential spaces such as entryways and TV accent walls.

 

 

Fur / Sequin Wallpaper

To create a truly glamorous wall that stands up to bold interior design, three-dimensional texture and subtle shine are essential.

Wallpapers featuring glitter or sequins add sparkle and visual impact, while suede-like fabric textures offer a soft, refined look that cannot be achieved with printed patterns alone.

A key feature of these wallpapers is their dynamic appearance—colors and depth shift depending on the angle of light, adding richness and sophistication to the space.

 

Original

With so many wallpaper options available, it can still be difficult to find the perfect one.

In that case, why not choose custom-made wallpaper?
You can personalize the design and colors—or even turn your own photographs into wallpaper.

Available in made-to-order sizes, starting from just 1 meter, custom wallpaper offers complete flexibility for any space.
For more details, please check the link below.

Wallpaper is not only about patterns and colors—materials make a significant difference.

While some manufacturers offer limited material options, Sangetsu stands out for its wide selection and strong focus on craftsmanship.
Please note that some products are made to order, so early stock confirmation is recommended.

We highly suggest requesting free samples to compare textures and unique color tones with standard vinyl wallpaper in person.