DIY Shortcuts: Can you paint over wallpaper?

Desperate to hide that floral wall or the geometric wallpaper that looked so right 10 years ago? A quick paint cover-up can be the best and cheapest solution. But can you paint over any wallpaper, and are there extra steps to take to be sure of a great finish? We answer those pressing wallpaper painting questions…

If you’re looking to get rid of outdated prints and patterns or are worried about the quality of plaster underneath, follow our tips on to how to paint over wallpaper – and save yourself hours of stripping time into the bargain. 

So, to start, it depends what the wallpaper is made of. Most can take a coat of paint but, for a few, a paint job is best avoided. Here’s a quick guide: 

• Lining paper: This is the easiest wallpaper to paint – just follow the steps below.
• Wallpaper that’s already been painted: Go for it! But if you’re painting over gloss or silk and want a matt emulsion finish, you’ll need to prime it first (see below). Keep in mind, too, that layers of paint will make any wallpaper harder to remove further down the line. 
• Embossed wallpaper: If you’re happy to keep the textured surface, this can be painted, though painting a raised design will be trickier than a flat surface. (You may need to use a brush rather than a roller to cover the embossed sections.)
• Vinyl wallpaper: It’s a ‘yes’, as long as you apply a suitable primer, such as Crown Trade PX4 All Purpose Primer, before painting. 
• Flocked, fabric-backed vinyl or self-adhesive wallpaper: It’s best not to paint over these, as you’re unlikely to get a good result. 

Ideally, you want your wallpaper to be in a good condition to be sure of a smart finish but, if there’s the odd rip or curling edge, there are things you can do to address the problem. 

• Fill any holes with filler, leave to dry and sand until smooth.
• Stick down any loose edges using specialist wallpaper repair adhesive.
• Use a thin line of decorator’s caulk to seal the seams at the edges of the walls and the ceiling, and along the skirting board, to stop the paper curling. 

A word of warning: if your wallpaper is in a very bad condition or affected by mould, it’s better to remove it. Painting over damaged wallpaper will just make it worse. 

Yes – prep is the most important part of any paint job. Follow these simple steps: 

1. Protect the area: clear the room of furniture and cover the floor with dust sheets. Throw on some old clothes and open a window (especially important if you’re using oil-based products). 
2. Clean the wall: Over time, any wallpaper picks up grime and grease from the air, so it needs a good clean before painting. First, dust or vacuum the wall and then wipe thoroughly with warm, soapy water (or sugar soap if it’s particularly dirty). Use a damp, rather than a wet, sponge as wallpaper absorbs moisture and you don’t want to saturate it. Rinse carefully and allow to dry thoroughly. 
3. Mask: Tape around the perimeter of the wall and mask off any areas you don’t want to paint – plug sockets and skirting boards, for example. 

It depends on the wallpaper. If your wall is covered with lining paper, you can go straight in with a top coat (as long as you’ve done your cleaning first, of course). If it’s wallpaper that’s been previously painted, you won’t need primer if you’re using the same paint finish. For wallpaper that has a vinyl surface, however, or if you want to paint matt emulsion over silk or gloss, you’ll need to use a primer first. This extra layer is also a good idea if you’re aiming to cover up a bold pattern underneath. Use a specialist product, such as our Multi-surface Primer and Undercoat to give your top coat a solid foundation.  

A primed surface can take any paint finish – eggshell, matt, soft sheen, silk etc.  If you’re covering up pre-painted wallpaper and want to avoid priming, use the same finish. never paint amatt finish over a paint with a sheen as this will cause future issues.   If you want to change from a sheen paint to a matt, then priming is recommended.

How to paint over wallpaper

The process is the same as you’d use for painting any wall. Cut in round the edges with a brush (for tips, have a read of our How to cut in paint article [link to new article]) and then fill in the central section with a roller. Leave to dry and enjoy your new-look room!