Can you paint over wallpaper? Here's what the experts have to say about this DIY decorating cheat

In some cases, the easiest solution to covering wallpaper you're no longer happy with in your home is to paint over it. The thought of stripping all the walls of your room and the hours of sanding that inevitably follow might be too much to bear. Instead, masking them with paint might seem alluring. 

But, the answer to whether you can safely paint over wallpaper isn't clear cut. In short, yes, it's possible - however, there are some important things you should know before you do so. 

When painting over wallpaper, your finish isn't going to be as smooth and clean as it would be on a sanded wall, and it's also unlikely to last as long either. And yet, in older houses where wallpaper has been used for decades to mask imperfect walls, putting your paint straight over the wallpaper is likely to be far easier than removing it first. 

If you're wondering how to paint a room considering whether it's worth stripping your wallpaper before you paint, we've asked some experts for a better insight into when it's best to simply paint over it and tips on how it's done. 

 Can you paint over wallpaper, and if so, how? 

(Image credit: Future)

In short, you can safely paint over wallpaper, but most decorators would advise against it as it won't result in the same seamless finish as when you paint directly onto a wall.

 'It's usually better to remove wallpaper before painting, but occasionally the expense of doing so or the state of the block behind it may restrict your options,' explains Robin Antill, Director of Leisure Buildings.

If you do decide to paint over your wallpaper. Robin has a few tips to ensure a smoother finish. 

First, examine the seams. 'Make sure the edges are tightly bonded to the wall,' he says. 'Use wallpaper adhesive to fix any lifting by securing it. If you don't, paint and primer may leak under and deteriorate the margins.' 

Next, he advises applying an oil-based primer. 'If you use latex or water-based primer, you'll re-activate the chemical glue in your wallpaper paste, causing it to come away,' he explains. When it comes to painting, wait at least a day for the primer to cure completely and avoid paint finishes with a high shine like satin. 'These may highlight any flaws or roughness in the wallpaper,' Robin says. 

In some cases, you might need to score the wallpaper first so the primer and paint can adhere. 'To do this, use a scoring tool or utility knife to lightly score the surface of the wallpaper,' says Steven Hill, Founder of DIY Gazette. 'Be sure to score evenly across the entire surface.' 

What is the best primer to use for painting over wallpaper?

Normally, when it comes to how to paint a room, you can use two in one primer and paints on your walls. However, since wallpaper can be textured or sometimes has a nonporous layer on top, it's important to use a heavy duty primer before painting over it. 

As mentioned, water or latex primers can cause your wallpaper to peel, so an oil-based primer is best. Some brands now offer a special wallpaper cover up (we love this one from Zinsser) which are especially good for smoothing over textured wallpapers such as grasscloth. 

A primer or wallpaper coverup will protective the surface of your walls while also increasing the adhesion of the paint so it has a cleaner finish. 

Is it better to paint over wallpaper or remove it? 

(Image credit: Future)

If you're still pondering whether it's worth removing your wallpaper before painting, it's best to apply your common sense. Are you just feeling extra lazy and want to save the hassle of stripping the walls? If the answer is yes, it's definitely worth removing it. 

However, perhaps you've moved into an old house with textured wallpaper that looks as though it's been there as long as the house itself. You might be concerned of the risks involved with tearing down the wallpaper, especially if you're worried about damaging the underlying drywall, a common wallpaper mistake to avoid. In this case, painting over wallpaper could save you costly repairs further down the line. 

You should also bear in mind the quality of the wallpaper. 'If the wallpaper is in good condition and you're confident it will provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to, then painting over it is an option,' explains Steven. 'But if the wallpaper is in poor condition or you're not confident it will provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to, then removing it is the best bet. Hire a professional if your need to.'