So I hit a conundrum last week. And asked myself the question “Can you wallpaper over wallpaper?” The quick and easy answer is “Yes you can.” But before you grab your wallpaper paste and brush I want to first go through some guidelines that I followed first before adding a layer of new wallpaper over the old one.
I have been renovating my little ones’ nursery and it has a feature wall. The mere thought of having to strip the old wallpaper off and the lining paper filled me with dread. It was until my mum said why don’t you wallpaper over the wallpaper. She made the comment that it has been done for decades. I started to sport this thought and did a little research to see if I could do this. It works out that my previous wallpaper is easy to recover with my new chosen wallpaper. So here are my hints and tips that I found helpful.
How Many Layers?
If the wall you are considering papering already has more than one layer of wallpaper, I would therefore stay clear of applying any more. You do not want to run the risk of one of those layers peeling in the future which would cause issues.
So if your home is not a new build I would attempt to find a spot on the wall that is hidden and gently cut a space to see how many layers are there.
The Condition Of Your Old Wallpaper
My old wallpaper was only four years old and it still looked like new. If it is damaged by water, peeling, cracked, or simply peeling off in areas I would recommend that you strip the wall back to the base. You may need to treat the damage first before you begin using your new wallpaper. You need a good base to start with. However, if the cracks are very tiny you will be fine to go ahead.
What Is The Old Wallpaper Made From?
So my old wallpaper was easy to re-paper over because it was a smooth matte wallpaper. You will not be able to wallpaper over a coated vinyl as it will just slip and slide. Nor can you wallpaper over thick embossed and textured wallpaper. The reason for this is you will find that the bumps or patterns will show through the new wallpaper.
How Bright And Colourful Is The Old Wallpaper?
My old wallpaper consisted of a white backdrop and bright vibrant balloons. The wallpaper that I wanted to use to wallpaper over my old wallpaper was deep sage green. So I ordered a sample via Wallpaper Shop. And as soon as it arrived I made sure I looked to see if the old wallpaper would show through. I did this on a bright sunny day and thankfully when I held the sample to the wall I could not see the old wallpaper pattern. So I measured up and ordered enough rolls to start my task of wallpapering over my old wallpaper.
Be careful when using a light colour over the top of a dark wallpaper. The colour may bleed through and show once you have applied the new wallpaper. I did read somewhere that you could even paint over your existing wallpaper in order to create a neutral backdrop for your new paper to sit on top of. But please note that if you do this option you will struggle to remove this in any future renovations.
How To Wallpaper Over Old Wallpaper
So you are now ready to start this process. Be sure to have all the correct tools beforehand. I am a firm believer in preparation is the key to any successful job. I bought or borrowed the items listed here below.
- New Wallpaper
- Step Ladder
- Wallpaper Paste
- Bucket
- Seam Roller
- Sponge
- Sugar Solution
- Wallpaper Brush
- Filler
- Spirit Level Or Plumb Line
- Sharp Scissors ( You need really sharp tools so the edges are straight not jagged) Or Craft Knife
- Sand Paper
- A Flat Table Or Wallpaper Table
- Wallpaper Smoother – I cannot recommend this enough. This is the must-have wallpaper tool that you cannot live without.
How To Apply Wallpaper Over Existing Wallpaper
So I started first by
- Removing and blue tack, nails, and filled in any holes. Then I sanded the wallpaper lightly.
- There was a small section of old wallpaper where the edge was coming away so I just stuck this down firmly and let it dry.
- Removed and dust and dirt with a damp cloth and then go over it with a dry towel.
So now I was ready with all the kit/tools I followed our How To Apply Wallpaper Guide on our website.
