Grasscloth Wallpaper Seams: All of Your Questions Answered

Photo 1: London Interiors

 

As a natural woven material, grasscloth wallpaper is known to have visible seams when installed in a room. Let’s explore everything you need to know about seams, including why they appear, how you can minimize them if they’re not your preference, and how to optimize the installation process. But don’t forget – seams are a natural grasscloth wallpaper “beauty mark”, and one of its uniquely defining features. 

 

What is grasscloth wallpaper?

Grasscloth wallpaper refers to wallcoverings made from eco-friendly fibers like agave, jute, hemp, seagrass, and other plants, including paper pulp. These fibers are sun-dried, colored with water-based vegetable dyes, and woven on looms by skilled weavers, creating a uniquely textural woven surface full of variations and natural beauty. Grasscloth is a durable material with versatile applications, and it’s environmentally-friendly as it is free of harmful chemicals. The natural woven surface implies that grasscloth is better suited to some installation environments more than others – opt for bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, entryways, and dens to avoid moisture exposure. One notable feature of a grasscloth wallpaper is the appearance of visible seams between panels when it is installed. We believe this contributes to its natural beauty and long-standing material tradition.  

 

 

Why does grasscloth have visible seams?

As we mentioned above, when installed, grasscloth has visible seams between the panels, so why can’t the rolls match perfectly?  Grasscloths that have a strong visible horizontal weave (or, the “weft” fibers) have a more pronounced seam upon installation. This is because the thickness of the fibers are more apparent and do not line up continuously when placed next to each other. Some grasscloth materials with pronounced seams include Sisal, Jute, Arrowroot, or Abaca. Some examples include Durum and Dungaree, which have thick weaves that will produce visible seams. Additionally, some of the darker, more saturated colorways tend to produce more visible seams as well, because of the variation in how the fibers absorb the natural dyes. 

These panel seams are one of the natural attributes of grasscloth, and do not indicate anything about the quality of the product or the installer. That said, the process of installation can have a significant impact on the appearance of the grasscloth, which is why you’ll want to turn to an experienced professional. 

 

 

What grasscloth can I choose if I want to minimize seams?

Even though seams are an expected and natural part of grasscloth wallpaper, it doesn’t necessarily suit everyone’s taste or design intentions. For designers or customers hoping to achieve a more subtle installation outcome or minimize the look of seams, there are some grasscloth types that will be better options than others. For example, look for papers that have a basket-woven weave in both directions, such as Japanese Paperweaves, Paperweaves, or Linens. These options with weaves that go in two directions disguise the seams better and offer a visually smoother finish than traditional grasscloth wallpaper.

 

DIY vs. professional installer?

A key factor in how your grasscloth wallpaper turns out lies in the quality of the installation. Unless you have DIY experience installing grasscloth wallpaper, we recommend hiring a professional wallpaper hanger. Wallpaper can be an investment and a challenge to install, especially when it comes to grasscloth. Grasscloth stains easily, so it is imperative to hire an installer who has worked with grasscloth before and knows how to handle it carefully during installation. We recommend searching for a paperhanger in your area through the The Wallcovering Installers Association, or get a referral from someone you trust.

 

 

What are some essential tips for ordering and installation?

1. Ensure you conduct in-depth research before choosing a colorway and paper type so that you know what type of seams and installation project to expect.

2. Properly measure your wall space (see our grasscloth calculator by clicking "HOW MANY YARDS DO I NEED?" on the specific product page for the grasscloth you are planning to order) and confirm this number with your professional installer before placing an order. Please note that the calculator feature will round up to the nearest roll length, usually in 8-yard increments.

3. If it’s feasible, order an extra roll so that you can account for any issues that may arise during the installation process or in the future.

4. For more in-depth tips about installation, check out our guides to measuring grasscloth and installing your wallpaper. 

 

What are some other ways to reduce the visibility of grasscloth seams?

In addition to choosing a basket weave wallpaper, if you are looking to minimize the appearance of seams, consider playing with your interior design choices, for example:

• Hang artwork or a gallery wall in a placement that draws attention away from seams.

• Experiment with texture and pattern throughout your room so that the seams are not the main visual draw. Layer complementary textures on walls, furniture pieces and more. Contrast surface types to keep the eye moving throughout the space.

• Play with color across your furniture. This is especially relevant if you are choosing a more saturated grasscloth wallpaper and want to strike a balance visually with everything else in the room.

• Focus on lighting and use it intentionally to create areas of focus within the space. Install sconces and other lamps to bring movement to the room.

• Install wainscoting or use a splash wall for the grasscloth so that it does not dominate the space from floor-to-ceiling.

 

 

Explore our grasscloth collection

If you’re interested in installing grasscloth wallpaper, shop our collection, reach out to our expert team, or order samples to see what will match your vision.