Your walls and ceiling make up the largest percentage of surface area in your home, which is one of the reasons it’s important to choose the best non-toxic paint and wallpaper for your home. You’re not only going to SEE these surfaces the most, but you’re going to BREATHE in anything you place on your walls.   

Standard paints and coatings can release harmful VOC’s, and are often made of synthetic materials like vinyl that have a negative environmental impact both in the manufacturing process and in your home. Additionally, many standard wallpapers are made of vinyl or have another synthetic substrate, and can contain toxic dyes, adhesives, particles of glitter and more.

As a sustainable interior designer, I’m really excited to share with you some much better options and my favorite non-toxic paint and wallpaper selections in five gorgeous palettes.  

Choosing the best color or product for your walls is a very nuanced process. Remember to do your research, and, as always, you can book MOTIV for a paint and wall covering consultation through our VIP Day Consultation. 

Best Non-Toxic Paint Companies

Farrow & Ball Paint 

Farrow & Ball creates designer favored paints, but their product is water based, created from responsibly sourced pigments, and crafted in small batches.  In addition to an array of gorgeous and sophisticated color palettes their paints are low/no VOC as well as vegan friendly. They truly tick off every box as well as offer coordinating wallpaper, which we’ll cover here in just a minute. 

Milk Paint 

Calling all my DIY-ers! Milk Paint is about to become your best non-toxic paint friend. This product provides a textured, matte finish that is easy to distress and carries an earthy vibe that is perfect if you want more of a rustic feel to the space. Their 56 unique paint colors are 100% organic ingredients, nontoxic, food contact safe, VOC free, and even are biodegradable/compostable. 

The paint arrives in a powdered form, is mixed with water right before use, and lasts up to 2 weeks in liquid form, which means they have a lower impact when it comes to shipping. This amazing company also has a line of additional products such as oils, finishing creams, tools, tutorial videos and more! 

Benjamin Moore - Made in USA

Readily available near you, Benjamin Moore offers low and no-VOC paint options. Additionally their staff is a wealth of resources and experience if you’re looking for advice on tools and finishes. 

Peel & Stick Paint Samples 

One of the best eco-friendly ways to test out a paint color in your home is to use peel and stick paint samples. The paper form inherently has a lower carbon footprint from creation to delivery, plus you can move the sample around the room to see how it looks at different times of the day and night. I recommend grabbing a 12” x 12” sample from Samplize. It’s a small investment of time and money but one of the best tips of the design trade in order to nail the perfect color for your space. 

Best Non-Toxic Wallpaper for DIY & Retail

Farrow and Ball Wallpaper 

At the top of my list once again is the one and only Farrow and Ball for their dynamic wallpapers. Their paper is sustainably forested, metallic finishes are sourced from recycled tin, created in small batches, with water based paints. They are never created from vinyl and when you’re ready for a new look they may be recyclable in your area. 

Making design easy, their wallpapers coordinate with their paints and come  in a variety of styles. Recently they launched a collaboration with Kelly Wearstler who is one of my design heroes. F&B designs strike the right balance between sophisticated and whimsical and you seriously can not go wrong with a selection from their catalog. 

Bradbury & Bradbury 

In addition to checking off my non-negotiable non-toxic boxes, Bradbury & Bradbury is coming in strong with the whimsical trend that is not going anywhere. Especially after 2020 & 2021 people are ready to live! And the whimsical style is all about creating a joyful, spirited mood - cultivating a place to have fun and feel joy! 

B&B wallpapers do just that with their nature scenes and natural prints. Their designs are also perfect for historical projects with Art Deco, Arts + Crafts, Retro, Victorian, and Vintage vibes available. Featuring  a gorgeous and inspiring range of new and historic reprint designs. I am still thrilled with the print we chose for our Bold in Belmont project. 

Tempaper

Tempaper is a great option for a peel-and-stick wallpaper. This women founded company was launched by two sisters, and their products are made right here in the USA with a water-based adhesive. This can be a great product for renters, or those who just like to change things up often. Their papers are steam and moisture resistant which makes them great for bathrooms, laundry rooms and high humidity areas. 

The only downside about this product is that it is a vinyl product. Here is what Tempaper has to say about that: 

“While our product is vinyl, our proprietary adhesive and printing inks are all water-based. In addition, Tempaper’s adhesive is also FDA Approved, FDA 21 CFR and Certified Child Toy Safety. Our Tempaper stocked product is compliant under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for lead and phthalates as well as standard method for VOC emissions under the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)”

Another great peel and stick option worth mentioning is Hovia. 

Best Non-Toxic Wallpaper for Trade Only

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Porter Teleo

Porter Teleo creates gorgeous wallpaper made from Japanese paper and hand painted in Kansas. Developed by two power house women, artist Kelly Porter and interior designer Bridgett Cochran, the patterns are created by employing a variety of fine art processes, such as woodblocking, painting and chine colle.

The wallcoverings are of the highest quality, and the splendid result offers tradition with an eclectic flair. This is an amazing example of fine art and high design coming together to present a bold, distinctive color palette with a refined aesthetic. 

Valhallan

Valhallan papers are handmade and painted by artists in Nebraska, placing a high value on innovation through experimentation, using new materials, colors, and textures. They have a range of products available in gorgeous textures and metallics, and even offer color customization. 

Weitzner 

Lori Weitzner is a highly awarded and published designer in the world of wall coverings, and has been internationally known for her contributions to the world of textiles and wallcoverings for more than thirty years. As a company they are dedicated to environmental consciousness and performance, . Wwhich means their products are handmade by contemporary artisans using smart technologies and forward-thinking design solutions. 

The Weitzner Perform line created products that utilize special materials, finishes, and constructions to exceed industry standards. While Weitzner Indoor ﹢ Outdoor creates fabrics designed to enhance indoor and outdoor spaces alike. 

If you’re looking for show stopping yet sublime textures, Weitzner is the one.

Looking for more ways to remove the toxins in your home? Make sure to grab our free guide with 10 Simple Steps to Removing the Toxins From Your Home. And if you’re serious about creating some magic in your space, check out our MOTIV V.I.P. Day Consultation and schedule your connection call today.