Hi guys! I hope your week is going well and you’re not on a sugar crash from eating all that Halloween candy. 🙂 I couldn’t keep my hands off the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – anything with nuts and chocolate is my very favorite.
I FINALLY finished painting my bedroom and thought I’d share a painting tidbit you may find useful. If you have dated wallpaper in your home, but the thought of spending hours stripping it off paralyzes you from taking action (like it did me!), hopefully, this post will give you some hope.
Here’s a quick and dirty way to paint over wallpaper! This method can be used for painting wallpapered furniture too.
If a wall had numerous layers, or possibly the drywall underneath is not in the best of shape, painting over the wallpaper may be the better and faster option. In my case, I plan to do some sort of wall treatment over it, possibly shiplap or faux brick.
Let me backtrack. When I bought this home, the upstairs bathroom walls were decked out with ducks. Yes. Ducks. I’m a full-blown nature lover, but duck wallpaper is not my style. For a quick and dirty fix, (it was seriously a spontaneous spur of the moment thing because I couldn’t take those black eyes staring at me every time I was in there) I grabbed some yellow paint and painted over my feathered friends. That paint job has lasted over 12+ years and honestly looks the same as the first day I painted it. Was it the ideal solution – probably not. But it did the job.
Fast forward to my bedroom makeover. This wallpaper has been up for years. The previous owners installed it so I’m guessing well over 30 years.
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS USED. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE The ‘right’ way to paint over this wallpaper is to sand the seams, remove the dust, and then use an oil-based primer to seal the paper before painting with a water-based paint. I didn’t sand the seams, and I didn’t use any oil-based products.
SOURCE LIST::
- Shop-Vac
- Drop Cloths or Old Sheets
- Paint Tray & Roller
- Paint Brush
- Shop Towels
- Behr All in One Primer Sealer
- Behr Premium Plus Paint & Primer in One – Pure white no color added
The Quick & Dirty Way To Paint Over Wallpaper::
- Vacuum to remove dust
- Protect floors and furniture with drop cloths
- 2 Coats of Behr All in One Primer Sealer (Home Depot)
- 1-2 Coat of Behrs Premium Plus Paint & Primer in One (Home Depot)
These are all water-based product – not oil based.
Now that it’s all painted out, I can decide if I want to add beadboard, barn wood, shiplap, faux brick, or stencil. I’m not sure yet. If you have any suggestions, feel free to chime in. 🙂 In the meantime, it looks fresh, clean and updated. I’m so happy I don’t have to look at that old wallpaper anymore!!!
So YES, you CAN paint over wallpaper. Is it the ‘best’ solution – NO. Is it the ‘lazy’ way out – YES. Will it last – YES. Does it look as ‘professional’ as painted drywall – NO. But what I can tell you from my own experience, I’m really happy with the outcome. As I mentioned, this is the second room I’ve done and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Bedroom Makeover – Previous Posts::
Annie Sloan French Linen – 80’s Headboard Makeover
Adding Wallpaper To Furniture – Night Table Makeover
DIY Vintage Cage Light – Salvaged Floor Lamp Restyle
DIY Weathered Wood – Dresser Restyle
Have you and/or would you ever try painting over wallpaper? Feel free to chime in if you have ANY products or tips. Or just to say ‘HI’ because I always love hearing from you!
Have yourself a grateful and inspiring day my friends!
Denise x
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Hi! I used your advice to paint the side table, but I actually used primer as a base. Looks gorgeous! Thanks
I know this article is years old… are you still satisfied with your walls using a water based primer / water based paint? I’d love to paint over 1980’s wallpaper … the former owner had professionally done…was afraid of bubbling up the wallpaper … have never used oil based products.
Hi Cindy! I haven’t repainted since this post but I did end up covering two sides of my bedroom with this faux brick. That said, the one wall that I painted right over the wallpaper (and I’m guessing the painted walls under my faux brick) is holding up perfectly! I’m very satisfied. 🙂 Hope this helps.
Need to paint over wallpaper in two bathrooms. One bathroom has a border along the ceiling. Has anyone painted over a border like this? Wondering how much it will stand out.
Hi Pegy! I’ve never painted over a wallpaper border but I’m guessing you will see a line where the border begins/ends if it’s painted in a solid color. If there is stenciling or faux finish, it will conceal it.
I have wallpaper on a large wall in my kitchen. The background is black with flowers. I’m concerned the black will show through. I do plan to paint a lighter color. Any tips?
Hi Tess! I would apply a good primer before painting. 🙂
Denise I’m slightly obsessed with the layered look of the bedding you have on the 80s headboard redo bed. Can you tell me what items you used to create this look? I see the you have a bed skirt but what is the black layer? Did you just use a larger size piece of bedding than the bed to get this look? Do tell….
Hi Nina! It’s a mishmash of textiles. 🙂 There is the white bed skirt, and a pinch pleated dark grey duvet cover like this one here. The white cotton coverlet folded at the bottom of the bed, I don’t remember where I got it, and the floral grey and white pillows and duvet cover are from Ikea. The big feather pillows in the back are from HomeSense and so are the white sheets.
We have AlWAYS painted over wallpaper in our 37 years of marriage. The homes were older and the plaster behind was being held up by the wallpaper. We will keep doing it, too! 😉
Exactly! And some older homes have layer after layer after layer of wallpaper too!!!
I would ship lap the two short walls.
I am just starting in with chalk painting. I need some extra income and I have a garage so I thought I might set up shop in there. I am a senior citizen and for my entire life I have renovated. Will love doing this.
When we moved into our house 18 years ago it looked like the wall paper fairy had exploded in it. One of the very first things I did was peel the gaudy paper off the dining room walls! It came off without a problem, but the paper in the bathrooms was a nightmare. I would have been better off knocking out the drywall and having new installed. I think they may have used superglue to install that stuff. So yes, I have painted over wall paper. Never heard of the sealer before, wish I had that, but thankfully so far all of the wall paper that was painted isn’t giving up its secret! Love your blog!
Hi Karin! It’s so true. Some wallpaper is easy enough to remove and sometimes – ugggghhh! Glad your painted wallpaper is keeping its secret. Your comment {and the other positive commenters} just might save a few walls from getting sledgehammered down. 🙂 😉
We moved into my late mother-in-law’s house after I had spent 20+ years renovating an older home, and faced her schoolbus yellow grasscloth wallpaper in the dining room/kitchen/hallway~to say I was disheartened at all that is an understatement! I thought no problem, I’ll just paint it…not so fast. That yellow came through still after 3 coats of paint. I put two layers of Kilz on it and repainted 2 coats of a neutral sand color. Finally, got the look I was going for, much better and it made the space look bigger and definitely updated. At my previous home, I spent months soaking and peeling off 5 layers of wallpaper so I definitely did not want to do that again! There are some places you can tell the person who put up the paper were not experienced at it, but a razor blade and some glue took care of that. Not for the faint of heart, hehe.
Hi Denise!!! 🙂 Not for the faint of heart for sure! What I do find interesting about multiple layers of wallpaper is it’s a step back in time. It’s interesting to see what you’re going to unveil – the color and design trend that was taking place when it was originally put up. But too bad it doesn’t stop there, right? And then the layers of wallpaper can ‘magically’ remove themselves. 😉 And I’m guessing that all your hard work on your MIL’s grasscloth paid off. A neutral sand over textured grasscloth sounds amazing!
I helped a friend decorate her rented home before she moved. We had very little time so she suggested we paint over the wallpaper on the fireplace wall as it was torn in places (and in my opinion not put up very well). It was a very shiny wallpaper and the paint didn’t adhere to it easily so i think your suggestion of using primer especially on this type of wallpaper is a very good idea. The paper also bubbled up but when it dried thankfully it went flat again, so if this happens to someone wise-don’t panic!! A great quick fix, but probably only a good idea if the wallpaper has been put up well in the first place 🙂
Hi Charl! If that was me I probably would have had a little panic. These are great points. Results will probably depend on the type and quality of wallpaper, glossy vs matte vs textured [and just as you say], how well the wallpaper has adhered and held up. SO happy it all turned out for your friend!
I’ve never tried painting over wallpaper. This house was full of papered walls when we bought it and I spent weeks and weeks peeling it off. After reading your post, that will not happen again. Work smarter not harder! Pinned for reference.
Hi Marie! 🙂 My friend Steph and I spent days peeling off that butterfly paper I was telling Laurie about. When I first moved in, butterflies covered a good majority of the main floor – so I know what a big job it can be. This is a great alternative. You really can’t tell the wallpaper has been painted over unless you look SUPER close. The only giveaway – the painted wallpaper is slightly smoother than the painted drywall.
Don’t u see the seems ? That’s what happened to me in the room we did so I have been contemplating doing it in other rooms.
Hi Sharon. If I look closely I can. I think it may depend on the condition of the wallpaper and/or what type of paint you use. A semi-gloss or glossy finish may show the seams because it reflects the light.
OH my! Yes! Have done this with success! And would do it again! In our new house the stairway going down to our basement had “little pastel country flowers on beige” wallpaper. Not an easy spot to remove wallpaper(hovering) over steps.So when my husband was out of town”hehe” I painted!! So much better!!
Still looks great 14 years later!
14 years… amazing! And I can so imagine those little pastel country flowers, Laurie! 😉 I have beige and brown country floral + butterflies going down to my basement. It’s my studio/workspace so I’m leaving it be for now.
I’ve painted over wallpaper several times, having been a landlord. The best way is peel any loose paper off. Use a ready made spackling or sheetrock mud to transition wallpaper to wall.It doesn’t take much so don’t put a lot on. Lightly sand, prime, and paint. I’ve done water base also. Sometimes the waterbase will make the paper bubble up and come off. Just switch to oil base primer, then latex paint.
Love these tips, Shirley! Thank YOU! 🙂
As a faux finisher I’ve tried this same technique myself and know it works:-) Still takes time but less than wall paper removal and reprepping. I’m glad to see that using all water based primer/sealer and water based paint&primer in one is ok as typicallly I’ve used oil base sealer to avoid having the problems with wallpaper glue(paste) possibly being reactivated and possibly lifting. Love your stuff!:-)
Hi Laura! Glad to hear you say you’ve used it and it works, especially since you’re a faux finisher! I did some online research at Benjamin Moore, oil-based primer is recommended. I’ve never had any issues with water-based though. Maybe it depends on the wallpapers age and or/thickness or even like you’re saying, the adhesive paste.
I’ve been away & now caught up on the posts I’ve missed. Again, all beautiful reworked pieces. This is an interesting post, I too have wallpaper to remove. Thank you for your posts & tips.
Hi Tracy… missed you! 🙂 I hope you were ‘away’ doing something fun and relaxing for yourself and welcome back. xo
Oh my gosh….I’ve been wondering if I could paint over my old wallpaper! I’m so glad YOU tried it first. Lol. I had no idea where to begin. Thanks for the great tips Denise. I always find your blog very honest and helpful.
You sound exactly like my sister…lol. She’s always trying to get me to test things out first and she likes to say “YOU be the guinea pig”! 😉