Note: I am not a professional and do not claim to be an expert. Please be sure to always read instructions for all tools and products. Safety is very important and should be your top priority. Wear necessary protection when using tools (eye wear, hearing protection, gloves, etc.) and dust masks when sanding or cutting. Sarah Flips It is not responsible for any injury or damage. All of my designs are not professionally designed and are for private use only.

Get your dream plaid wallpaper up on your wall for less money and way more simplicity. This DIY frog tape faux plaid wallpaper will be a show stopper and such a great conversational piece because you can tell everyone you did it yourself! 

faux plaid wallpaper

We all love pretty wallpaper, but the price can be too much to handle sometimes. This super affordable wallpaper look-a-like is a great alternative! It’s $30 worth of Frog Tape, some paint of your choice, as well as a wall leveler, and you’ve got yourself an easy DIY project on your hands! This project will give you the pretty plaid look that is all the rave right now. And you don’t even have to worry about the struggle of putting wallpaper up (and down)! Have I convinced you to do it yet? Let’s do it!

Supplies for DIY Standing Desk

Tools:

  • Frog Tape Thin Tape 
  • Frog Tape Thick Tape
  • Leveler 
  • Paint 
  • Paint Brush
  • Pencil

How to DIY FROG TAPE FAUX PLAID WALLPAPER

1. WE BEGIN WITH THE VERTICAL LINES

We start vertically. You’ll want to pull out your wall leveler, because it’s crucial that your first tape down vertically is straight. You can only imagine how the finished look will look if it’s not. I like to use a laser wall leveler, it’s super convenient. But the point? The point is that once that first piece of tape is down and straight, the rest of the tape going vertically will be easy. 

how to peel the tap off the wall for faux plaid wallpaper

Start with 3 thin pieces of tape and then 2 thick pieces of tape. You will repeat this pattern until you run out of room on your wall. After that, you’ll peal off the OUTER thin pieces of tape, leaving the middle piece there. Once all those pieces are off, go through the remaining pieces on the wall with a credit card scraper- this will ensure that all the tape is smooth enough and also securely attached. Frog tape does best when you scrape it before painting!! Once you get that done, PAINT the lines on the wall that does not have tape. Easy as that! 

After the paint is dry, we are ready to do our horizontal lines. But first, we need to take off ALL the tape from the vertical lines. This is debatably my favorite part of the whole process, so satisfying! And the frog tape makes it so easy, unlike other painting tape I’ve used.

2. HORIZONTAL LINES, HERE WE GO

Alright. Now it’s time for our horizontal lines. Similarly to the vertical lines; the first piece of tape for the horizontal pattern needs to be straight. Pull out your wall leveler and get that done first! Then you can proceed with the other horizontal pieces. This time you will do 5 thin pieces of tape and then 2 thick pieces of time. Keep this pattern going until you run out of room on your wall. 

Go through and peel out both the OUTER and MIDDLE thin pieces of the tape. And then scrape the existing tape on the wall to ensure it’s not going anywhere. After you have all of this done, go ahead and paint the lines that don’t have tape over them. 

Let it dry. Take off all the horizontal tape and BAM, you have a super affordable, super easy, and super cute plaid faux wallpaper!! 

Tips and Tricks

  • Start with a Clean Wall
  • Use a Laser Level
  • Cut the Tape into Manageable Sections
  • Don’t Wait Too Long to Remove the Tape
  • Test Your Paint Color First

Can you create faux plaid wallpaper on textured walls?

Yes, but it takes more effort. Make sure the tape is pressed firmly, and sealing the edges with the base coat is essential.

How long does it take?

It depends on the size of the wall. A small accent wall can be done in a weekend. A larger space will take longer because of drying times between steps.

What kind of paint should I use?

Any wall paint will work. A matte or eggshell finish is best for a soft, wallpaper-like appearance.

This DIY faux plaid wallpaper is the perfect way to add personality to your home without spending a fortune. It’s a high-impact, low-cost project that looks custom and totally designer—without the wallpaper headaches!

Final Thoughts

Who knew a few rolls of Frog Tape and a little paint could turn into such a major statement wall?! This DIY faux plaid wallpaper is proof that you don’t have to break the bank to get a bold, custom look in your space. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and honestly… kind of addictive once you get started. Whether you’re dressing up a hallway, bedroom, or office—this project brings all the charm, none of the wallpaper drama.