Putting wallpaper over textured walls: your guide

You can absolutely put wallpaper over textured walls, but it’s not as simple as hanging it over a smooth surface. The texture presents challenges that require specific preparation and techniques to overcome. If you don’t address these, you’ll end up with visible bumps, bubbles, and peeling edges.

Assessing your wall’s texture

Before you even think about unrolling wallpaper, you need to understand the type and severity of the texture on your walls. The most common textures include:

Orange peel: A fine, bumpy texture resembling the skin of an orange. It’s relatively minor and often the easiest to cover.
Popcorn/Lath and Plaster: Heavier, more irregular textures that can be difficult to cover. Lath and plaster, common in older homes, can be uneven and brittle.
Knockdown: A sprayed-on texture where the peaks are flattened, creating a more uniform, albeit still textured, surface.
Joint compound or plaster imperfections: Uneven patches, trowel marks, or cracks that haven’t been fully smoothed.

The key question is whether the texture is too deep or irregular for the wallpaper to conform to. A light orange peel is usually manageable. Deep popcorn ceilings or significant plaster damage might require more extensive prep.

Why texture is a problem for wallpaper

Wallpaper is designed to adhere to a flat, smooth surface. When applied to texture, several issues arise:

Adhesion problems: The adhesive can only make contact with the high points of the texture, leaving air pockets underneath. These pockets can lead to bubbles and allow the wallpaper to pull away from the wall over time.
Visible texture: Even with good adhesion, the underlying texture will often show through thin or unembodied wallpapers, ruining the intended look.
Difficulty in smoothing: Trying to smooth out wallpaper over bumps and ridges can stretch and tear the material, especially with delicate papers.
Peeling edges: The edges of the wallpaper panels are particularly prone to lifting because they don’t have continuous contact with the wall.

Methods for wallpapering over textured walls

There are several approaches, ranging from minimal prep to significant smoothing. Your choice depends on the texture’s severity and the type of wallpaper you plan to use.

Method 1: Smoothing the texture

This is the most reliable method for achieving a professional finish, especially with lighter textures like orange peel or minor imperfections. It involves filling and sanding the texture to create a smooth surface.

Clean the walls: Wash the walls thoroughly to remove any dust, grease, or debris.
Fill imperfections: Use a lightweight spackling compound or joint compound to fill any significant cracks, holes, or uneven areas.
Apply a skim coat (optional, for severe texture): For very rough textures, you might need to apply a thin skim coat of joint compound over the entire wall. This is a time-consuming process that requires skill to do evenly. Apply a thin layer, let it dry completely, and then sand it smooth. You may need multiple thin coats.
Sand smooth: Once any filler or skim coat is completely dry, sand the entire wall until it is as smooth as possible. Use a medium-grit sandpaper (around 120-150 grit) for initial sanding, followed by a fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) for a smoother finish. Wear a dust mask and safety glasses.
Wipe down: Remove all sanding dust with a damp cloth or a tack cloth. Dust left behind will prevent the primer and wallpaper from adhering properly.
Prime the walls: Apply a high-quality primer. This seals the surface, ensures even adhesion, and helps the wallpaper adhere better. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

After priming, your wall is ready for almost any type of wallpaper.

Method 2: Using a high-quality, thick wallpaper

Certain types of wallpaper are more forgiving than others. Thicker, more durable wallpapers can sometimes bridge minor textures without extensive prep.

Textured vinyl wallpaper: These papers are often designed with a thicker face and a slight inherent texture themselves, which can help mask underlying wall texture. They are also generally more durable and washable. You can discover the richness of textured vinyl wallpaper for your home here.
Embossed wallpaper: Wallpaper with a raised pattern can sometimes hide subtle textures beneath.
Grass cloth and natural fiber wallpapers: While these have their own textures, their organic nature can sometimes camouflage minor wall imperfections. However, they are often delicate and expensive, making them a riskier choice if the underlying texture is significant. Discover the natural beauty and sophistication of grass cloth wallpaper.

Important considerations: Even with these wallpapers, you’ll likely still need to do some basic cleaning and potentially fill larger holes or cracks. Very light orange peel might be manageable, but popcorn texture will almost certainly show through. You still need to ensure good adhesion, so a primer is highly recommended.

Method 3: Using a liner wallpaper

A liner wallpaper is specifically designed to be applied over imperfect surfaces before applying your decorative wallpaper. It acts as a smoothing layer.

Clean and prep: As with other methods, clean the walls. Fill any significant holes or cracks.
Apply the liner wallpaper: Hang the liner wallpaper according to its specific instructions. This is typically done horizontally or vertically, depending on the product. Ensure a smooth application with no bubbles or wrinkles.
Allow to dry: Let the liner wallpaper dry completely.
Hang decorative wallpaper: Once the liner is dry and smooth, you can hang your chosen decorative wallpaper over it. This creates a fresh, smooth surface for your final layer.

Liner wallpaper is an excellent option for moderately textured walls where a full skim coat feels like overkill, but a direct application of decorative wallpaper is unlikely to succeed.

Method 4: Peel and Stick Wallpaper (with caveats)

Peel and stick wallpaper offers convenience, but it’s often thinner than traditional wallpaper and can be less forgiving with texture. Whether you can put peel and stick over textured walls depends heavily on the texture’s severity and the specific product.

Light textures: For a very light orange peel or subtle imperfections, some thicker peel and stick options might work. You need to ensure the adhesive has enough contact points.
Heavier textures: For anything beyond light texture, peel and stick will likely show the texture, bubble, and have adhesion issues. The flexibility of the material can also make it difficult to press into deep crevices.
Preparation is key: Even with light textures, cleaning, filling significant holes, and priming (if recommended by the manufacturer) are crucial. Some manufacturers specifically advise against applying their peel and stick products over textured surfaces.

If you’re considering peel and stick, look for products advertised as thicker or specifically designed for slightly imperfect walls. You can discover the best high-quality peel and stick wallpaper for your home, but always check product specifications regarding wall texture.

What type of wallpaper is best for textured walls?

When choosing wallpaper for textured walls, prioritize:

Thickness: Thicker wallpapers are more opaque and have a better chance of bridging minor textures.
Durability: You need a material that can withstand the smoothing process and the underlying texture.
Opacity: A less transparent paper will hide the texture better.
Ease of cleaning: If the texture shows through and makes cleaning difficult, it’s a losing battle.

Vinyl, especially textured vinyl, is often a good choice. Papers with a subtle pattern or a raised design can also help disguise texture. Damask wallpaper, for example, often has raised elements that can distract the eye from subtle wall imperfections. Discover the timeless elegance of damask wallpaper for your walls.

Thin, delicate, or highly patterned wallpapers with a matte finish are usually the worst choices. They will highlight every bump and imperfection.

Preparation mistakes to avoid

The most common reason wallpaper fails on textured walls is inadequate preparation. Avoid these pitfalls:

Skipping the cleaning step: Dirt and grease will prevent any adhesive from sticking properly.
Not filling significant holes or cracks: These will create weak points where the wallpaper can tear or peel.
Underestimating the texture: Thinking a light sand is enough when a skim coat or liner is needed.
Not sanding smooth enough: Leaving high spots that prevent the wallpaper from laying flat.
Failing to remove all dust after sanding: Dust is an invisible enemy of adhesion.
Not priming: Primer seals the surface, provides a uniform base, and improves adhesion. Skipping it is a major gamble.
Using the wrong type of wallpaper: Trying to use a thin, delicate paper on a heavily textured wall is a recipe for disaster.

The role of adhesive

For traditional paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper wallpaper, using the correct adhesive is critical. For textured surfaces, consider using a heavier-duty wallpaper paste specifically formulated for difficult surfaces or for the type of wallpaper you are using. Always follow the paste manufacturer’s recommendations.

Conclusion

Putting wallpaper over textured walls is achievable with the right approach. For best results, especially with moderate to heavy textures, smoothing the wall surface through filling, sanding, and priming is the most effective method. If smoothing isn’t feasible, consider using a thick, durable liner wallpaper or a high-quality textured vinyl wallpaper. Always assess your wall’s texture, choose your wallpaper wisely, and never skip crucial preparation steps. With careful planning and execution, you can achieve a beautiful, professional-looking finish on even the most challenging walls.