Wallpaper adds character to any room under the right circumstances. However, if it’s aging, needs an update, or clashes with your style, there are two ways to change the design without replacing the paper: painting or texturing over it. Let’s learn more about these methods and how they help give your room a new look.
Painting Over Wallpaper
While you can paint over wallpaper, it’s not always the best choice. Paint experts often advise against it and recommend removing the wallpaper to clean adhesive residue off the wall. However, sometimes it’s fine to paint over your wallpaper.
When To Paint Over Wallpaper
Painting over wallpaper is a good option if:
- The wallpaper is in good condition with no peeling or bubbling.
- Removing the wallpaper could damage fragile drywall or plaster.
- There are multiple layers of wallpaper that would be difficult to remove.
- Time and budget constraints make removing the wallpaper impractical.
Take the experts’ advice and remove the wallpaper first if:
- You have fabric-backed vinyl wallpaper that could bubble or blister when painted.
- The wallpaper has a texture that would require extensive prep work.
- The wallpaper has metallic ink or a raised pattern that could bleed through or disrupt the painted look.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper
If you’ve decided to paint over your wallpaper, follow these steps to get the best possible look:
- Assess the wallpaper’s condition: Make sure the wallpaper’s surface is stable, with no extensive blisters, peeling, or bubbling. Note the presence of any seams or texture that could affect the final result.
- Clean the wall: Clean the surface with a damp cloth or sponge, and pay extra attention to corners and edges where dust and dirt accumulate more often. Let the wall dry completely before you continue.
- Repair any damage: Use wallpaper adhesive to reattach loose edges and seams, and lightly sand textured surfaces to make a more even canvas for your paint. Cut away blistered and torn sections, fill them with thin putty, and sand them smooth.
- Prime the wall: Use an oil-based product to prevent moisture from the paint from seeping through and loosening the wallpaper underneath. Apply one or two coats, and let each dry before you move on.
- Paint the wall: With the primer dry and set, you can now apply your desired paint color. Use a roller for large swaths of wall and a brush for edges and corners. Two coats are generally enough for coverage and durability.
Remember, the final look will depend on how tedious you are with the details. The more attention you give, the higher the quality of the finished product.
Texturing Over Wallpaper
Texturing a wall can be stylistic or functional. There are two primary ways to do it: spraying the surface with material such as sandblasting rock abrasion or using an adhesive to spread the material on the wall and applying the texture by hand. The latter option gives you more control but takes longer to dry between coats.
Here’s how to texture over your wallpaper.
- Clean and dry the wall: Scrub away with a damp cloth or sponge. Get into the edges and corners.
- Remove old wallpaper: Scrape off excess wallpaper for a better grip, then apply a thin coat of joint compound or fine sanding. Dust with wood flour, talc powder, or another product that prevents the adhesive from sticking to the surface.
- Apply the substrate and texture: There are two methods for applying the texture. One is to spray textured paint on surfaces, but this isn’t a good idea for large areas. You can also layer texture onto the wall with a brush, belt sander, spackle knife, or trowel.
- Finish the wall: Once the substrate is dry and fully set, paint or install new wallpaper on the textured surface. If your wall already has an old paper pattern, use water-based paints to prevent bubbling from heat exposure.
Don’t forget about your prep work! Deep-clean the walls before applying anything else. Do you want a matte or shiny finish? If choosing glossy, don’t use too much water during preparation.
Is Painting or Texturing Over Wallpaper a Bad Idea?
Even professionals have divided opinions about painting and texturing over wallpaper. Weigh the pros and cons to make the best choice for your space.
Pros
- Time and effort savings: Both methods let you skip the labor-intensive process of removing old wallpaper.
- Cost-effectiveness: It can get expensive to remove old wallpaper, and simply painting or texturing over it can save you money.
- Protection for walls: Covering wallpaper preserves the underlying surface when done properly. This is best in situations where removing the paper could damage the wall.
Be careful when removing textured surfaces. Some techniques involve sanding, which may scratch the wall surface, and scraping, which can weaken drywall.Â
Cons
- Finish quality: Both painting and texturing lack the smooth finesse achieved when working with bare walls. You may still notice raised sections and lines where the original seams are.
- Future challenges: It’s trickier to remove wallpaper that’s been painted or textured over.
- Underlying issues: Painting or texturing over your wallpaper won’t resolve hidden issues inside your wall, like water damage or poor initial installations.
Generally speaking, if the wallpaper is already peeling or bubbling, you have selling concerns, or you want a seamless finished product, it’s better to remove it first.
