How can I cover my wallpaper without removing it?

Author: Salvador Stehr  |  Last update: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Large tapestries or wall hangings can cover up your wallpaper without a full renovation. Not only can they camouflage the wallpaper you're trying to remove, but they can also add texture, interest, and a new focal point to the space.

How to cover up wallpaper without removing it?

The 5 Easiest Ways to Cover Old Wallpaper
  1. Should You Cover or Remove Wallpaper?
  2. Cover Wallpaper with New Wallpaper.
  3. Cover the Wallpaper With Paintable Wall Panelling.
  4. Cover Old Wallpaper With Faux Brick or Concrete Panels for an Industrial Touch.
  5. Paint Over Old Wallpaper With Textured Paint for a Seamless Finish.

What is the cheapest way to cover up wallpaper?

Wrapping Paper Wrapping paper, at a mere $2-5/roll, is also a great alternative to wallpaper. It won't give you that clean, stuck-to-the-wall look, but it is a great solution for the backs of closets, bookcases and other small, low-traffic areas! See my tutorial for hanging wrapping paper as wallpaper HERE.

Is painting over wallpaper a good idea?

No. It will make the whole wall look dull and old in the long run. It's better to remove the wallpaper first and then replace it with a fresh coat of paint or a new wallpaper which matches with color, paint, and texture of the rest of the walls, ceilings, and floors.

Can you put peel and stick over existing wallpaper?

Similarly, you can put peel-and-stick wallpaper or pre-pasted wallpaper over existing wallpaper so long as the old wallpaper doesn't have a vinyl coating on top to protect it from moisture. This is because the vinyl coating is designed to be non-porous and won't allow the peel-and-stick backing to adhere properly.

Cover Ugly Wallpaper with Beadboard and Melamine Wainscoting Part 1

What are the negatives of peel and stick wallpaper?

The Cons of Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Failing to adequately prepare the walls can result in poor adhesion, air bubbles, or uneven application, ultimately affecting the overall appearance, longevity of the wallpaper, as well as its clean removal.

How to hang wallpaper over existing wallpaper?

  1. CHECK YOUR OLD WALLPAPER FOR PROBLEM AREAS.
  2. SEAL THE SEAMS IN YOUR OLD WALLPAPER.
  3. APPLY FILLER TO YOUR OLD WALLPAPER.
  4. CLEAN THE WALLS.
  5. APPLY YOUR NEW WALLPAPER.
  6. IF NEEDED, TOUCH UP YOUR PAINTED WALLS.

What kind of paint will stick to wallpaper?

Which paint can you use on wallpaper? You don't need to use special paint for wallpaper. A good quality wall paint will cover the wallpaper and leave you with an even finish. You don't always need to use a primer when you're painting wallpaper.

Is it better to strip or paint over wallpaper?

If you're planning to stay there for a long time, it's better to remove the wallpaper as soon as possible instead of painting over it.

Can you put paneling over wallpaper?

A Wall Panel System Can Completely Cover Old Tile or Wallpaper.

What can I put over peeling wallpaper?

Use a thin layer of wallpaper seam adhesive to attach peeling seams or edges, as those are the weakest adhesion areas. Alternatively, use a putty knife to lift those areas and cut away the loose bits before filling those areas in with spackle and sanding lightly when completely dry to create a level surface.

Why is wallpaper removal so expensive?

Wallpaper Removal Cost Factors. When you hire a professional wallpaper removal service, you are mostly paying for intensive hands-on time to scrape and clean the walls. A contractor may also need to repair the damage that could happen during the removal process.

Can you put shiplap on top of wallpaper?

We ultimately decided to cover all the unsightly wallpaper residue with shiplap and also did a full accent wall in the family room.

What is the cheapest way to cover old wallpaper?

Paint an oil-based paint color on the wall.

Pick out the color that you want to use on your wallpaper and apply the first coat using a paint roller. Darker colors will be easier to use, since they'll cover the wallpaper faster, but you can choose any color that you'd like to.

Can peel and stick wallpaper be permanent?

Check what type of adhesive the wallpaper has

Some adhesives are permanent, and some are temporary/removable. Permanent glue will damage your wall, whereas removable glue will not leave a residue and should leave your wall damage free.

How to hide bad wallpapering?

Adhesive Options
  1. Hang temporary wallpaper. If you aren't allowed to permanently alter the wall or don't want to spend time hanging normal wallpaper, consider covering the bad wall with adhesive renter's wallpaper instead. ...
  2. Try peel-and-stick tiles. ...
  3. Create patterns with tape. ...
  4. Purchase vinyl decals.

When should you not paint over wallpaper?

No matter how many coats are used, paint will not cut it when covering up textured wallpaper. Another scenario you shouldn't try to solve with paint involves damaged wallpaper. Those imperfections, bumps, bubbles, and tears will remain visible after paint. In those cases, removing the paper is the only way to go.

What is the fastest way to strip wallpaper?

Chemical wallpaper stripper

Chemical solutions help to dissolve the adhesive and actively release the wallpaper, doing more of the hard work for you. Chemical wallpaper strippers are ideal for one or two layers of wallpaper in one room, or if you're removing the wallpaper from a small area, like a feature wall.

Do professional painters remove wallpaper?

Many painting companies provide wallpaper removal as a service because it is difficult for the average homeowner. There is a process, however, and you as a customer need to be made aware of the process prior to making the decision to remove it yourself or have a professional remove it.

Can you use kilz over wallpaper?

Sand smooth, wipe off dust with a damp sponge, and prime with OIL-BASED KILZ Original, or a SHELLAC-BASED primer such as BIN by Zinsser. This oil or shellac based primer is important, to form a barrier which the latex paint can't penetrate, or it will cause the underlying paper to bubble.

Can you paint over wallpaper without sanding?

If your wallpaper is smooth enough, give it a wipe down with a moist (not too wet) cloth and clean water. This will remove any film of dirt and allow your primer to adhere to the wallpaper. IF (and it's a big if), your wallcovering is completely smooth, you could try and hide seams by filling them.

What is the best primer to go over wallpaper?

There are several primers on the market that are recommended like: B-I-N Shellac Based Primer and Sherwin Williams White Pigmented Shellac Primer.

Can I put peel and stick wallpaper over wallpaper?

Can you put peel and stick wallpaper over old wallpaper? In most cases, no. Our peel and stick wallpaper works best on light colored walls, so a colorful or patterned wallpaper background wouldn't be the best surface to apply to. We recommend ordering a sample to test it out first.

Is it a good idea to wallpaper over wallpaper?

The first step in a great installation is proper wall prep. The best way to prepare any wall with existing wallcoverings is by stripping it down to it's foundation. Experts advise against wallpaper over wallpaper installations for many reasons. The main reason is that you want your new installation to look perfect.

Do you hang wallpaper vertically or horizontally?

Usually everyone use to paste the Wallpaper vertically, but professionals love a horizontal way of wallpapering as well. This method is used to highlight the pattern applied to the Wallpaper or to create an attractive and interesting interior.

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