Sisal wallcovering — a guide to sisal walls and how to hang it
Sisal on the wall is the opposite of polished: a dry, matt, living surface where the irregularities of the natural fibre are the whole point. In recent years the great design houses have also begun printing and embroidering decoration directly onto the sisal — the result is wallcoverings that feel as much like fine craft as wallpaper. Here is everything you need to know.
What is a sisal wallcovering?
Sisal fibre is extracted from the leaves of the sisal agave, dried and woven into a cloth that is laminated onto a paper or non-woven backing. The surface is distinctly textured and matt, with natural colour variations between fibres and drops. Sisal belongs to the grasscloth family but is coarser and more hard-wearing than, for example, seagrass — and no, seagrass and sisal are not the same thing: seagrass comes from aquatic plants and has a smoother, faintly lustrous surface.
Our range includes both plain and decorated sisal qualities — from the crisp chalk stripe Fleet Stripe to embroidered showpieces such as Summerby and the hand-painted woodland scene Arbour, all from Colefax & Fowler. See the full range of sisal wallcoverings here.
Characteristics — pros and cons
- Natural texture: a deep, matt surface that gives the room an instant sense of material.
- Sound-absorbing: the fibre weave softens the acoustics.
- Unique drops: the colour varies naturally — no two walls are alike.
- Visible joins: a panelled effect is part of the material; if you want a perfectly uniform surface, choose something else.
- Sensitive to moisture and stains: not a material for wet rooms, and liquids should be blotted straight away.
- Sun fading: natural fibre fades over time in direct sunlight — expect patina.
How to hang a sisal wallcovering
- Preparation: a smooth, dry, evenly absorbent wall. Prime in a shade close to the wallcovering's ground — any gaps at the joins will then show less.
- Acclimatise: leave the rolls in the room for 24 hours. Check the batch numbers and lay out the order of the drops before cutting.
- Paste the wall: paste the wall using a strong adhesive for heavy wallcoverings. Never paste the drop — sisal absorbs and stains.
- Hang edge to edge: no overlaps, no double-cutting through the fibre surface. Press into place with a clean, dry rubber roller.
- Protect the surface: paste smudges on the face can rarely be rescued — work with clean hands and change blades often when trimming at the ceiling and skirting.
- Embrace the joins: the joins between sisal drops should show slightly; that is the rhythm of the material, not a flaw.
Care
Vacuum regularly with a soft nozzle in the direction of the fibre. Blot stains immediately with a dry, white cloth — never large amounts of water, never rubbing. Ideally place sisal walls where they are spared direct everyday contact.
Which rooms suit a sisal wallcovering?
Studies and libraries (crisp and cosy at the same time), dining rooms and living rooms (the texture makes a plain colour interesting), bedrooms and hallways. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens near splash zones and children's rooms where the walls take a beating.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of material is sisal?
Sisal is a natural fibre extracted from the leaves of the sisal agave. The fibre is strong, matt and slightly coarse, and is woven into wallcoverings with a distinct, dry texture. It should not be confused with seagrass, which is harvested from aquatic plants and is smoother and slightly lustrous.
Is seagrass the same as sisal?
No. Both are natural plant fibres woven into wallcoverings, but sisal comes from agave leaves and has a drier, more matt surface, while seagrass comes from aquatic grasses and is smoother with a faint sheen. They age and feel different.
How do you hang a sisal wallcovering?
Using paste the wall and great cleanliness: paste on the wall only, the drops butted edge to edge and a clean, dry roller to press them into place. Sisal absorbs liquid — paste on the face leaves permanent marks and the surface must never get wet.
Are the joins visible on a sisal wallcovering?
Yes, and that is part of the look. The colour of the natural fibre varies slightly between drops, so the joins create a panelled effect that belongs to the material. To minimise the effect, every other drop can be reversed — check the supplier's instructions.
Can you use a sisal wallcovering in a bathroom?
No. Sisal is highly sensitive to moisture and is not suitable for wet rooms. Choose it for living rooms, bedrooms, studies, dining rooms or hallways.