Background vs. Wallpaper: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Background refers to the area or scenery behind the main object of focus, while wallpaper is a material used to cover and decorate the interior walls of homes, offices, and other buildings.
Key Differences
Background refers to the part of a scene or picture that is or seems to be toward the back and provides context, whereas wallpaper specifically denotes a decorative paper applied to the walls of a room.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper is a tangible, physical material used for interior decoration. In contrast, background can be both a physical setting and a conceptual or historical backdrop.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
The primary purpose of wallpaper is decorative, to enhance the aesthetic of a room. Background serves to provide context or contrast to the main subject in various settings, including photography, art, and computer screens.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper is limited to use on wall surfaces, while the term background is versatile, applicable in various fields like photography, computing, history, and more.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper contributes to the overall ambiance and style of a room. In contrast, a background often recedes in importance, serving to highlight or support the main subject or theme.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Usage
Area or setting behind the main subject.
Material for covering and decorating walls.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Primary Function
Provides context or contrast in a scene.
Decorative, enhancing room aesthetics.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Role
Often recedes to support the main subject.
Contributes to the ambiance and style of a space.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Background and Wallpaper Definitions
Background
The area or scenery behind the main object of focus.
The mountains in the background added beauty to the photograph.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper
To cover or decorate a wall with wallpaper.
They decided to wallpaper the dining room this weekend.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Background
A person's past experiences or history.
Her background in finance made her an excellent candidate for the job.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper
A pattern or design used in wallpaper.
The vintage wallpaper pattern added charm to the room.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Background
The underlying situation or conditions.
He gave us some background on the current political climate.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Wallpaper
A digital image used as a decorative background on a computer screen.
He set a beach scene as his computer's wallpaper.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Background
The less prominent part of a musical arrangement or piece.
The background vocals complemented the lead singer beautifully.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper
A persistent or pervasive background influence or state.
The constant noise in the city became like wallpaper to her.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Background
The screen layout or color scheme behind computer icons or windows.
She customized her computer background with a family photo.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Wallpaper
Paper often colored and printed with designs and pasted to a wall as a decorative covering.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
A picture or design displayed on the background of a computer screen or cellphone.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The part of a pictorial representation that appears to be in the distance and that provides relief for the principal objects in the foreground.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The general scene or surface against which designs, patterns, or figures are represented or viewed.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
A position, area, or situation that is not immediately in one's attention or notice
You can hear traffic moving in the background during the interview.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
(uncountable) Decorative paper-like material used to cover the inner walls of buildings.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
(Computers) The environment in which programs operate that the user does not engage with directly
Processes that run in the background.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The circumstances and events surrounding or leading up to an event or occurrence.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
(countable) A style or design of such material.
He is letting her select the wallpapers for the whole house.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
A person's experience, training, and education
Her background in the arts is impressive.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
Anything that serves as a background or part of the surroundings.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The cultural or social environment in which a person was brought up or has lived
A class with students from many different backgrounds.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
An image or tiled pattern used as the background of a computer desktop.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Subdued music played especially as an accompaniment to dialogue in a dramatic performance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
Generic footage of a building or location that may be used in the background of a related news report.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
Gaudy mass-produced stamps, typically of little or no value and only produced for sale to collectors.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Low-level radiation, as from radioactive decay, that exists as part of the natural environment.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
Background noise
The antivirus program runs on a background thread.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
The lawyer had a background in computer science.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Wallpaper
Decorative paper used for covering walls.
They chose a floral wallpaper for the living room.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Background
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
There was tons of noise in the background.
The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.
The antivirus program is running in the background.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance.
A husband somewhere in the background.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The set of conditions within which an action takes place, including the social and physical conditions as well as the psychological states of the participants; as, within the background of the massive budget deficits of the 1980's, new spending programs had little chance of passage by the congress.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The set of conditions that precede and affect an action, such as the social and historical precedents for the event, as well as the general background{5}; as, against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The signals that may be detected by a measurement which are not due to the phenomenon being studied, and tend to make the measurement uncertain to a greater or lesser degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
An agreement between a journalist and an interviewee that the name of the interviewee will not be quoted in any publication, although the substance of the remarks may be reported; - often used in the phrase "on background". Compare deep background.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
A person's social heritage: previous experience or training;
He is a lawyer with a sports background
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground;
He posed her against a background of rolling hills
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem;
The embassy filled him in on the background of the incident
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured;
They got a bad connection and could hardly hear one another over the background signals
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation;
When the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
The state of the environment in which a situation exists;
You can't do that in a university setting
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Background
Understate the importance or quality of;
He played down his royal ancestry
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does background affect photography?
It provides context and contrast to the subject.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
How does background influence a person?
It shapes their perspectives, values, and behaviors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can wallpaper be easily changed?
It depends on the type of wallpaper and installation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What is background information?
Contextual details that provide a deeper understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What materials are used in wallpaper?
Traditionally paper, but also vinyl and fabric.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What are synonyms for "background"?
Synonyms include backdrop, setting, context, and environment.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can wallpaper be used as a metaphor?
Yes, it can represent a persistent or pervasive influence.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What are common wallpaper designs?
Floral, geometric, textured, and abstract.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is "background" a singular or plural noun?
It can be both singular and plural, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What is a cultural background?
A person's social, ethnic, and educational history.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can "background" also refer to a computer screen image?
Yes, in the context of technology, "background" often refers to the desktop wallpaper or screen background.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Where can I find wallpaper designs for my home?
You can find wallpaper designs at home improvement stores, online retailers, and interior design shops.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
What are some common materials used for wallpaper?
Common materials include vinyl, paper, fabric, and grasscloth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is wallpaper suitable for all rooms?
It varies based on room function and moisture levels.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is "wallpaper" a countable or uncountable noun?
"Wallpaper" is typically an uncountable noun.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can you paint over wallpaper?
Yes, you can paint over wallpaper, but it's essential to prepare the surface properly to achieve a good result.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
