How to Wallpaper Over Wallpaper

Adding new wallpaper over old wallpaper? Why not.

Grown bored of your current wallpaper? Then maybe it's time for a change. Before you go dedicating a few days of wallpaper stripping, why not think about adding wallpaper over wallpaper? With these handy tips and tricks, we'll show just how to apply new wallpaper over your old wallpaper in no time.

Things to Consider

Non-Coated vs. Vinyl Coated Wallpaper

There are two types of wallpaper: non-coated and vinyl-coated. In most cases, non-coated paper can be wallpapered over. However, vinyl-coated paper unfortunately can't. Vinyl is nonporous, so new wallpaper will not stick to it and adding a layer on top of it will only create mould, therefore you must remove vinyl wallpaper before putting new wallpaper up. We also recommend not wallpapering over a wallpaper that is embossed or embellished, as this will create bumps.

If you're not sure if your wallpaper is coated, dampen a sponge with warm water and rub it on a small corner. If the entire area darkens from the moisture, then it's non-coated.

The Condition of Your Wallpaper

If your current wallpaper is cracked or peeling, you'll have to remove it completely before putting up new wallpaper. If the wallpaper in your bathroom is quite old and therefore wasn’t created for humid environments, we recommend taking it down before putting up new wallpaper as there may be mould and mildew underneath.

The Colour of Your Old Wallpaper

If your existing wallpaper is very dark or has a bold pattern, it may show through your new wallpaper. If you'd like to test this, buy a sample of your new wallpaper and place it over a small section of your existing wallpaper to see if the pattern shows through.

The Amount of Wallpaper Layers

Wallpapering over more than one layer is not recommended. Therefore if you know there is only one layer of wallpaper on the wall, and it meets the considerations mentioned above, you can wallpaper over it. However, if there is more than one layer of wallpaper on your wall, remove them. If you're unsure, you may have to cut into the wallpaper to see if there is another layer underneath.

How to Layer Wallpaper Over Wallpaper

What You'll Need:

Stepladder
Spackle
Sandpaper
Wallpaper sealer
Wallpaper primer
Liquid dish soap
Wallpaper seam roller
Tarps
Clean sponge
Putty knife
Bucket
Wallpaper brush or rollers
Painter’s tape
New wallpaper

Step 1: Inspect Wallpaper and Fix Problem Areas

Check your wallpaper for bumps, cracks and peels. If you see bumps or holes, fill it with spackle, let it dry, smooth over with sandpaper and make sure it's flat. If there are any loose seams, apply a seam sealer.

Step 2: Prep the Room and Walls

Since you will be working with water and getting close to electrical outlets, turn off the electricity to the room you're working in. Remove nails, outlet covers and light switch covers. Then lay down tarps to catch drips when you rinse the wall. Also, cover the outlets with painter’s tape to keep water out.

Clean the walls with a duster, then fill a bucket with a mixture of warm water and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Dip a sponge into the mixture, wring out excess water and lightly rinse the walls. Make sure to not wet the walls completely or the old wallpaper may peel off. Let the walls air-dry before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Prime the Walls

With a commercial wallpaper primer and roller, start to roll the primer onto the walls.

Step 4: Wallpapering

Now you can start wallpapering. Depending on the type of wallpaper you choose, you may need a bucket of water or wallpaper paste for adhesion. Make sure to line up the wallpaper properly, use a seam roller to prevent seam peeling and use a wallpaper brush to remove any air bubbles.

Tip: Tired of the same old wallpaper trends? Find some much needed wall-inspo with:

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