Common Mistakes Everyone Makes When Painting Over Wallpaper (& How To Avoid Them)

Your wallpaper — perhaps that subdued floral in the bedroom — can look like heaven to you if meticulously installed. It will be a different story, however, if you get bored with it later and can't stand it a day longer. Removing wallpaper is not just messy. Think of water everywhere, glue in the eyes, smelly old paper, swollen fingers — even a steam burn. Worse, you can damage the wall. That's why you may be tempted to ask, should you paint over your outdated wallpaper? Remember — painting over wallpaper is not a home decor crime. 

It's okay to paint over wallpaper as long as it's in good condition without any peeling or lifting edges, especially if you can't afford removal costs or there's a chance you will damage the wall. But, there's a right way to paint over wallpaper because you'll not want to make your wall look even worse. The common mistakes to avoid are insufficient wall preparation, not using a primer or using the wrong primer, not fully covering the wallpaper pattern, choosing the wrong sheen of paint, swamping the roller with paint, and using poor painting techniques. 

When painting over wallpaper, prepping the surface is often just as crucial as the actual painting. For this reason, clean the surface well, ensuring you remove all dirt and grime. Remember, primer doesn't stick well to a dirt film. You may have to use a diluted trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution, particularly if dealing with a greasy, grimy surface. Also, use a dry cloth to clean the drywall. Moisture and water can bring a host of issues, including softening and loosening the adhesive below the wallpaper. 

It's crucial to use a primer, particularly an oil-based (or shellac-based) primer since they are better at sealing wallpapers than their water-based counterparts. Just be sure to ventilate the room properly when using these types of primer. If you're wondering if you should apply a second or third coat when painting over wallpaper, there's no iron-clad rule. However, multiple coats of primer could help cover busy patterns. You may already know this, but if applying two or more coats, set aside sufficient drying time between the sessions. 

Another trick is to opt for a low-sheen paint because it will conceal wallpaper imperfections better. And, use good painting technique. Unless you're ready to deal with drips and uneven surfaces, don't swamp the roller with paint. When laying the paint, start near the ceiling and proceed across the wall (not vertically) in a "W" shaped manner. At the end of the day, although wallpaper was named one of the hottest home decor trends of spring 2023, if the time comes when you have to paint over it, don't repeat the mistakes everyone makes.