Paper over cracks
Demand for wallpaper soars in Karbala as alternative to paint
KARBALA — A busy stretch of Al-Muallimin neighborhood in Karbala has evolved into a thriving center for wallpaper sales, with local residents increasingly favoring wallpaper over paint. Interior design specialists attribute this trend to wallpaper’s durability, washability, insulating qualities, and resistance to bacteria and fire.
Wallpaper is imported from countries including Italy, Germany, Turkey, and China. Prices vary based on quality, with Chinese rolls that cover 16 square meters costing between 15,000 and 35,000 Iraqi dinars (about $10 to $23), while Italian-made rolls covering 10 square meters go for 85,000 dinars ($56).
About eight specialized wallpaper stores line the neighborhood, employing workers from various backgrounds, including Iraqis, Syrians, and Pakistanis. Installation fees run at 25,000 dinars ($17) per roll.
“We started working in 2014 in the Al-Jamiyah area and moved to Al-Muallimin area in 2020, where it has become a specialized center for wallpaper and decor,” said Muntadhar Ali, owner of Vensia Company, speaking to 964media. “Wallpaper has advantages such as washability, resistance to bacteria, and fireproofing, which paint does not offer. Paint wears out quickly when touched, while wallpaper is coated with a protective layer that makes it resistant to dirt.”
“We used to work in painting houses and buildings, but we turned to wallpaper because of the high demand in Karbala,” added Ali Wahid, owner of Dananir Gallery. “Wallpaper is part of modern decor trends, offering various designs from international manufacturers. People used to cover brick walls with construction materials, but these deteriorated over time, leading them to use paint. However, paint fades quickly due to Iraq’s environment, so they switched to wallpaper.”
Wallpaper has gained popularity in homes, restaurants, clinics, schools, kindergartens, and commercial stores. According to Wahid, it provides “a five-year warranty, heat and cold insulation, and color stability, and it is odor-free.”
He noted, “We have been selling wallpaper for eight years, and we own two stores in Al-Muallimin, which has become a decor hub. There are about eight wallpaper stores in the street, and demand is very high.”