Expert tips for painting over wallpaper

We always recommend removing old wallpaper before painting where possible, however this isn’t always the best course of action. In this article we will discuss some scenarios where painting over wallpaper would be beneficial, with tips on how to paint over wallpaper to ensure the best possible finish. As always, your safest bet is consulting a professional painter & decorator to advise you on the best course of action.

When is it better to paint over old wallpaper?

Sometimes, removing wallpaper from a wall can highlight flaky paint and brickwork that lay underneath. Pulling off old wallpaper can really add to this issue, creating a much more expensive and lengthy job than simply painting over the wallpaper. This is important to consider if the property you’re in is dated or if you don’t know what the surface is like underneath. By leaving the paper on the wall, you can be sure that the brickwork, plaster or drywall will remain intact in its current state, allowing you to paint faster and produce a more consistent finish.

In other situations, you could be faced with several layers of ancient wallpaper which would take a lot of time and energy to remove. While we would still recommend removing the wallpaper and painting or applying new wallpaper on stripped walls, we understand that sometimes it’s easier to simply paint over the old paper.

Things to consider before you paint over your wallpaper

Is the wallpaper in good condition?

Wallpaper that is already loose, ripped or affected by damp or mould should be removed. Painting over the wallpaper will not hide these issues and may cause bigger issues down the line. By painting over it, you’re potentially creating a much bigger issue in the future.

Will you redecorate soon?

Wallpaper that has been painted over is much more difficult to remove and risks the issue of pulling off/damaging some of the underlying wall. This is something to be wary of in dated buildings that has exposed brickwork underneath.

Textured wallpaper?

If your wallpaper has an obvious raised texture and pattern, it’s best to avoid painting over it, simply because the pattern may come through. It is possible to skim coat over this to make the surface smooth, but that is better left to a professional and would warrant taking off the wallpaper regardless.

If you don’t mind the textured pattern remaining the same, and you just want to change the colour, you can achieve this by following the steps below, choosing a matt paint and taking extra care to wipe away excess paint that gathers in the grooves of the pattern.

Take a look at our paintable wallpaper if you like the idea of painted textured wallpaper.

How to paint over wallpaper

Although it’s as simple as painting a wall in theory, we’d recommend covering a few extra steps to make sure the finish is optimal, and to avoid any surprises down the line.

You will need:

• Dustsheets

• Adhesive

• Caulk

• Sponge

• Water

• Mild detergent

• Masking tape

• Primer

• Paint

• Paintbrush

• Paint roller

Step 1: Prepare the room

First things first, remove as much furniture from the room as you can. Anything you can’t remove, put into the middle of the room and cover with dustsheets. Use dustsheets to cover your floor and any other surfaces, too.

Step 2: Prepare your walls

Any loose pieces of wallpaper need to be stuck down before you can get to work painting, so use an adhesive to do so. Smooth out any seams and fill in any holes to ensure the surface is as smooth as possible. You might also want to apply a thin line of clear caulk around the perimeter of the walls, at the joint seam where the paper meets the floor and ceiling. This will help seal the edges and keep the paper from peeling after you've painted.

Once this is done, wash your walls with a mild detergent and a sponge, rinse with clean water and leave them to dry thoroughly. We have a range of cleaning products perfect for the job. Use masking tape to protect your skirting board and the outlines of any sockets or switches.

Step 3: Consider a primer

If the colour of the existing wallpaper is bold, or if the surface quality is questionable, you may need to use a primer to provide the paint with a good base to sit on. We’d recommended using Zinsser Wallpaper Cover Up: an all-in-one primer, sealer and stain blocker that conceals bright colours and prints, and leaves your walls with a smooth, matt, off-white finish for you to paint on top of.

Find out more about the importance of priming.

Step 4: Paint your walls

Use a paint brush to cut in at the edges, taking care around the ceiling line, above skirting boards and around door frames. Then use a roller and tray to cover the rest of the wall, starting in one corner and working across the wall in sections. Once the first layer is dry, repeat until you’ve achieved the desired result.

Explore our full range of decorating and paint preparation products to find the materials you need for your project.