As early as the Tang Dynasty in China, people used drawings on paper to decorate walls. In the mid-19th century, Englishman William Morris began mass-producing printed wallpaper, giving rise to modern wallpaper. Over time, the development of wallpaper has continued to evolve alongside the global economy and culture, progressing through the stages of paper, painted on paper, foam paper, printed paper, embossed paper, and specialized craft paper.
The earliest wallpapers were created by painting or dyeing various patterns onto walls. While possessing a certain psychedelic effect, they were limited to decorative applications in high-end venues such as royal palaces. It wasn't until the late 1970s and early 1980s that wallpaper truly entered the home, along with other decorative materials.
The 1980s were a period of widespread popularity for wallpaper. "Wallpaper," also known as screen-embossed foaming, involves adding a foaming agent to the raw materials and applying high temperatures during the production process, causing the leavening agent to undergo a "fermentation" process. The resulting wallpaper has a bumpy texture and a soft feel. This type of wallpaper offers a strong three-dimensional effect, enhancing the sense of space in a room. However, its drawbacks are also obvious: it's not wear-resistant, easily scratched, and easily stained. Foam wallpaper has been gradually phased out, but it can still be seen on ceilings in some rooms.
When vinyl wallpaper was first introduced, silky, glossy wallpaper was popular. Later, as trends in home decor shifted, matte wallpaper (cloth-like) gradually became the trend. Wallpaper's expressive colors and patterns became increasingly appealing to consumers, sparking fierce competition among major manufacturers.
In the late 1980s, with the development of the plastics industry, vinyl wallpaper emerged as an alternative to foam wallpaper. This type of wallpaper, without foam, has a harder texture, significantly addressing its shortcomings. It's waterproof, moisture-resistant, durable, and offers exquisite prints and embossed textures, allowing for a wide variety of designs and patterns. Its expressive colors and practicality have revolutionized wallpaper. Vinyl wallpaper accounts for approximately 70% of global usage. From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, wallpaper with a cloth-like texture became popular.
In China, wallpaper had a relatively late start. From 1976 to 1986, it was primarily used in high-end restaurants and hotels. From 1986 to 2001, foam wallpaper was the main trend, reaching its peak in 1992. However, due to quality issues, its market share subsequently declined.
