By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Are stick-on blinds, tiles and wall decals any good? We bought them to find out
Hannah has dedicated her career to understanding what matters to consumers, and writes practical, trustworthy advice to help people spend wisely and make everyday life easier.
No grout, drilling or professional trader experience required – stick-on decor can help you achieve a quick, affordable home refresh without permanent changes.
From stick-on window blinds and kitchen tiles to peel-and-stick wall decals and vinyl flooring, the market is now full of self-adhesive home upgrades. But are they budget and renter-friendly fixes, or a waste of money?
To find out whether these products are truly worth buying, five Which? experts put their DIY skills to the test by trying them out. Below, we share their experiences, along with helpful decor tips and advice.
Browse all of our decorating and DIY advice guides
'I bought stick-on window blinds, and they're just what I need'
Poppy Gaunt, Which? senior editor, decided to try stick-on window blinds, after searching for options that didn't require drilling into the walls of her home.
I came across stick-on blinds online and they seemed like a good solution to block out the sun and keep my living room cooler in summer. I liked that the blinds could be added and removed without damaging the walls of my rental home. They also look unobtrusive and are available in colours that match my window frames.
An online search reveals a variety of stick-on blinds, with several retailers offering similar products. Due to the array of choices available at affordable prices, Poppy was concerned that the blinds might be poor quality, so she decided to buy just one initially.
'I chose the Stick-Fit Honeycomb Blinds from 247 Blinds because they were the longest length I could find. Each blind cost around £130 for the size I needed. My windows are floor to ceiling, and even the longest blinds available still leave a gap at the bottom, but I make do,' says Poppy.
Impressed by the quality, easy installation and overall results, Poppy decided to order a second stick-on blind. While there was a minor delivery issue, she received a replacement after contacting the company.
How to fit stick-on window blinds
Some budget stick-on blinds, such as the Ikea Schottis (£3), require you to cut to the desired size, which can make installation more complex. Others, such as the window blinds Poppy used, are made to your specific measurements.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, and take extra care when aligning the self-adhesive strips to your window.
'Hanging my blinds was really quick and easy, requiring no tools,' says Poppy.
'You just line up and stick two vertical pieces to the edge of the window frame, then the blinds click into place. There's a video on the 247 Blinds website that shows you how to set them up.'
Which? verdict: Are stick-on window blinds any good?
'I'm really pleased with the blinds. They're higher quality than I expected and were easy to fit,' says Poppy.
'Since my windows are quite big, this did increase the price, but they're quite a low-cost option if you have smaller windows. I'm planning to buy one more blind for the balcony door next.'
Shop around for stick-on window blinds and look out for promotional codes. Several retailers sell similar products and they often have offers available.
Where to buy stick-on window blinds
You can buy stick-on and no-drill window blinds from a range of home decor shops, as well as online blind specialists. Popular retailers include:
- Blinds2Go has a range of stick-on blackout blinds, which can be made for uPVC, wood or glass windows.
- 247 Blinds sells made-to-measure window blinds in a range of colours and styles to suit any interior.
- Amazon has a variety of self-adhesive blinds, with several options costing less than £20.
- Dunelm offers no-drill blinds, including made-to-measure roller and pleated blinds, as well as ready-made roller blinds.
Alternatively, you can compare some affordable options below:
From cordless drills to patio cleaners, discover 5 DIY buys our experts rate
'Stick-on kitchen tiles made a real impact during my budget refresh'
Martha Roberts, Which? senior researcher and writer, completed a budget kitchen renovation project a few years ago. As well as painting kitchen cabinets and replacing cupboard handles, she used stick-on, subway-style kitchen tiles to refresh her cooking space.
I lacked the money, skills or time for a proper tiling job but I found from my online research that I could apply stick-on tiles myself – for a fraction of the cost.
'I bought stick-on tiles from Amazon, purchasing eight packs for £185. It may sound expensive, but it is a lot cheaper than buying tiles, plus paying for a professional tiler,' says Martha.
'Peeling and sticking the tiles in my kitchen was really easy. As the ones I chose have a regular metro-style brick pattern, fitting them together was straightforward – a bit like a jigsaw puzzle.'
'Where I needed to shape them – for example, around electrical sockets – I used sharp scissors or a box-cutter knife. They're sticky enough to adhere to the wall but not so much that repositioning them during application, if needed, wasn't difficult.'
Which? verdict: Do stick-on kitchen tiles really work?
'Stick-on kitchen tiles are a great option, especially if you're after a new look on a budget or if you're a renter wanting to make a change that can be later reversed when you leave the property,' says Martha.
However, Martha has learnt as a landlord that some stick-on decor leaves residue, which can be difficult to remove.
She says: 'Having recently cleaned my flat to sell, the tenant had left some stick-on pads from night lights and I was a bit trepidatious taking them off.
'If you're going to use any stick-on decor, be sure that you can take them off, as well as any sticky pads that are left behind. You might not be able to use a solvent to remove them, depending on the surface.'
As is the case with regular tiles, buy more than you think you need. You can then take or send them back if they're not needed, rather than not being able to finish the job you've started.
Ordering extra tiles also increases the chance of them coming from the same manufacturing batch, so the colour is likely to be exactly the same.
Where to buy stick-on kitchen tiles
You can buy stick-on kitchen tiles from a range of home decor shops and online retailers, including:
- B&Q sells vinyl wall tiles, which are easy to stick on kitchen splashbacks.
- Dunelm offers self-adhesive tiles in a range of patterns and designs to suit any style.
- Amazon has a variety of peel-and-stick tiles, including herringbone, 3D and subway-style designs.
Alternatively, we've rounded up some options below:
How to renovate your kitchen on a budget: follow our expert tips on how to save money on a kitchen renovation
'Self-adhesive floor tiles were really easy to use and required little preparation'
Clair Hollick, Which? people partner, bought self-adhesive floor tiles from Dunelm in an attempt to cover an unsightly concrete runner, which was left behind from a previous fireplace in her home.
I chose stick-on tiles as they required little preparation and disruption to my home. The design also looks slightly vintage, which works well with older houses.
How to lay self-adhesive floor tiles
Whether you're laying stick-on tiles on your bathroom, kitchen or hallway floor, always start by making sure it is clean, flat and level.
After measuring the room to identify how many tiles you need, find and mark the centre point of the room. This will help you to achieve a symmetrical design as you lay the tiles.
Following her experience, Clair recommends dry-laying the tiles on your floor first. This not only helps you check your markings, but also avoids the need for thin strips of tiles around the edges, which may not stick as well.
If you are left with narrow gaps at the edges, slightly shift your centre point so the outer pieces are at least half a tile wide.
When you're ready to start sticking them down, peel a small section of the first tile's self-adhesive backing and line up with the centre marking.
Once you're happy the tile is straight, press the rest of it firmly into place. You can then continue laying the rest of the tiles, working outwards from the centre.
To cut the tiles for wall edges, Clair recommends using a Stanley knife rather than scissors for a neater finish.
Which? verdict: Are self-adhesive floor tiles any good?
'They were really easy to stick on the floor. I cut them to my desired size, and they have stayed down with no problems,' says Clair.
Mark Allan, Which? data and analysis lead, also opted for mosaic-effect vinyl tiles from B&Q (£20.80), after looking for a cheaper alternative to spruce up his kitchen floor.
'They were very easy to stick down. However, they struggled to remain in place on flooring that isn't totally flat,' says Mark.
'As we put the tiles directly on top of vinyl, the heavy kitchen appliances that had been there for ages had left indentations in the floor. Consequently, the tiles struggled to adhere properly, so I used some extra glue to help them stick.'
Use a spirit level to make sure the first row of tiles is straight when you lay them.
Where to buy self-adhesive floor tiles
You can buy stick-on floor tiles from a range of home decor shops and online retailers, including:
- Dunelm sells self-adhesive floor tiles in a range of colours.
- B&Q offers peel-and-stick vinyl tiles for both contemporary and traditional styles.
- Victorian Plumbing has marble, stone and wood-effect floor tiles.
- Amazon sells self-adhesive floor tiles at a range of prices.
Alternatively, we've rounded up some affordable options below:
Best furniture, homeware and DIY shops: discover the best stores and websites to buy paint, tools, furniture and home accessories
'I bought wall decal stickers and was really impressed with the results'
Rebecca Jakeman, Which? senior researcher and writer, looked online for inspiration when decorating her daughter's bedroom. She found that decorative wall stickers were a popular option among busy parents.
My daughter was only two years old at the time, and knowing how fast children's interests can change, I didn't want to commit to something more difficult to switch out like wallpaper. I also have no experience with hanging wallpaper, and didn’t want to set aside the budget to pay someone else to do it, so stick-on decals seemed like the perfect middle ground.
Rebecca ordered the Large Colourful Flowers Fabric Wall Stickers (£51.95) from Kid of the Village, an independent design studio run by mum-of-two and illustrator Hayley.
'I always try to shop with small businesses wherever possible, and I came across this shop on Instagram.'
Which? verdict: Are wall decal stickers any good?
'They were incredibly easy to peel and stick on the wall. They're fabric-based, rather than vinyl or plastic, so they didn't stick to my fingers while I was trying to position them on the wall,' says Rebecca.
'I found it really easy to peel them off and move them around if I didn't get it quite right the first time, and didn't struggle to smooth out any air bubbles or creases.'
Overall, Rebecca is impressed with the results and has since recommended the wall decals to her friends, especially those with children.
She says: 'They're an excellent way to quickly update a room without committing to expensive or time-consuming DIY, plus it's not a huge task if you decide to change the theme after a year or so.
'I've had so many compliments on my daughter's bedroom, with several people telling me they look hand-painted. I will absolutely use them again when she decides she's bored of flowers – my vote is for mermaids!'
To avoid stick-on wall decals looking too sticker-like, opt for a fabric or matt finish, which helps reduce any shininess or glare once they're on your walls.
Where to buy wall decal stickers
You can buy decorative wall stickers from a range of home decor shops and online retailers, including:
- Dunelm offers a range of options for any room or style.
- B&Q sells a variety of wall stickers to bring a splash of pattern to plain walls.
- Wayfair has wall stickers to suit a range of different themes, including animal and solar system designs for kids bedrooms.
Alternatively, we've rounded up some options below:
Looking to refresh your home with wallpaper instead? Read our step-by-step guide on how to wallpaper a room, with expert tips from professional decorators
