CAN YOU PAINT OVER WALLPAPER?
If you fancy giving your rooms a fresh look but don’t have much time to decorate, you might wonder whether you can simply paint over wallpaper. Is it a good idea, or are you setting yourself up for a fall?
Painting and decorating expert Joshua Evans at PriceYourJob.co.uk explains whether it’s possible and discusses the pros and cons of trying it.
Is it Possible to Paint Over Wallpaper?
Although it’s not something that’s usually recommended, it is possible to paint over wallpaper. Whether it’s a good idea or not depends on a few factors, such as the condition of your walls, the type of wallpaper you’ve got and the paint you plan to use. So, let’s take a look at the benefits of painting over wallpaper and the things you need to consider first.
The Benefits
- Painting over your wallpaper, rather than stripping it, can save time, effort and money.
- There isn’t as much mess or disruption.
- It enables you to spruce up your home quickly.
- It can be tricky to remove wallpaper without damaging the walls. So, you may find it’s better to paint over it.
However, despite these benefits, sometimes it’s better to strip the wallpaper.
When is it Better to Strip the Walls?
If your walls are currently in poor condition, it’s much better to fix the problem rather than try to paint over it. Paint can’t hide wallpaper that’s ripped or peeling. In fact, defects often show up more once you’ve painted over them. Should you want a flawless finish, you really can’t cut corners.
It’s also wise to remove the wallpaper if there’s mould and mildew on it, as it’s likely to be growing behind the wallpaper, too and will need treating.
Painting over wallpaper can be seen as a temporary fix until you have the time and money to decorate properly. But if you’re planning to redecorate in the near future, it might be better to leave your walls as they are for the time being. Painting over textured wallpaper can make it harder to remove, so you may even be making things more difficult for yourself. Plus, you’ll save yourself some money.
What to Consider First
So, before you pick up a paintbrush, there are a few things to consider.
What Type of Paper is it?
Not all wallpaper is suitable for painting. If you’ve got old-fashioned textured wallpaper or woodchip, this could still look dated even after a lick of paint. This type of wallpaper can be tricky to cover with paint and won’t give you smooth walls, although using matt paint will help to flatten them.
Vinyl paper can be painted over, but it will need priming first. So, be prepared as it might not be as quick a job as you think.
What Colour are You Going for?
If you’re going for a light paint colour, it might be best to strip the wallpaper first to stop the colour underneath from showing through. At the very least, you’ll need to prime it and do two coats of emulsion.
What Budget Do You Have?
If your wallpaper is in good condition, then painting over it might be the best option for those on a tight budget. However, if you have a healthy budget, it might be a good idea to get the walls decorated professionally. As someone else is doing the work for you, it won’t eat into your spare time.
Is There an Alternative Option?
If you don’t want to strip the walls just yet, you don’t necessarily have to paint them to refresh the space. If the wallpaper is in good condition but lacking a bit of personality, you could add a border or hang new artwork instead.
How to Paint Over Wallpaper
If you’re all set to paint over your wallpaper, these are the steps you should follow:
Step One
Remove pictures and other items from your walls and asses the wallpaper to ensure it’s in good condition.
Step Two
Use sugar soap or a mild detergent to ensure the surface is clean, and then allow it to dry.
Step Three
Protect your floors and furniture with sheets and tape off areas you don’t want to be painted.
Step Four
If you’re painting over dark wallpaper with light paint, going for a drastic colour change or painting over vinyl wallpaper, prime your walls with a suitable paint such as Zinsser’s Wallpaper Cover-Up and leave it to dry.
Step Five
Take your emulsion and use a small paintbrush to cut in around the edges of your walls. An angled brush with soft, fine bristles is usually best. Then, use a roller to tackle the rest of the walls. If your wallpaper is textured, you may need to use a medium pile roller or a brush to achieve even coverage.
Tips for Hiring a Painter and Decorator
Despite it being an easy option, painting over wallpaper still takes a bit of prep work and patience. So, you may prefer to save yourself time and effort and hire a painter and decorator. To find a reliable person to do the work:
- Ask neighbours, friends and family if they can recommend anyone.
- Check online reviews.
- Check their qualifications and accreditations.
- Hire someone local, as they’re easier to call back if there are any issues.
- Get multiple quotes for comparison and make sure they’re detailed.
- When they call around to price up the job, ask plenty of questions. A knowledgeable decorator should have no trouble advising you and should be upfront about timescales.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the question of whether you can paint over wallpaper, the answer isn’t completely straightforward. But you should now be armed with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for you.
