Can You Wallpaper Over Wallpaper?

Can you put new wallpaper over old wallpaper?

Technically yes, but professional installers rarely recommend it. Wallpaper is designed to bond to a primed wall, not to another layer of paper, and the old layer becomes the weak link in the whole system.

The issue is not whether the new paper will stick on day one. It usually will. The issue is whether the old paper underneath stays put once it is soaked with fresh paste, pulled by the new paper as it dries and shrinks, and then exposed to normal humidity swings for years.

Why does wallpaper over wallpaper often fail?

It fails mainly because of moisture and tension. Traditional wallpaper paste is water-based, and the old paste behind the existing paper is often water-soluble too. Wet the old layer and it can let go.

• Reactivated paste. Moisture from new paste soaks through the old paper and softens the adhesive beneath it, causing bubbles and loose areas that may not appear until the wall dries.
• Shrinkage stress. Wallpaper contracts slightly as it dries. That pull can peel back old seams and edges that were already weak.
• Poor adhesion on vinyl. Vinyl and other coated papers have a slick, non-porous face. New paste has little to grip, so edges and seams can lift.
• Show-through. Old seams, overlaps, patterns, and embossing can telegraph through, particularly with thin, light, solid, or metallic papers.
• Hidden problems. Covering old paper also covers whatever is under it, including mildew, water damage, or cracked plaster.
• Harder removal later. Two layers stuck together are much harder to remove than one, and the job tends to damage the wall.

When can you wallpaper over existing wallpaper?

It can work when the existing paper is in nearly perfect condition and the conditions are favorable. All of these should be true:

1. There is only one layer of existing paper.
2. Every seam, edge, and corner is firmly bonded. Run your hand over the wall and press along every seam; nothing should crackle, lift, or sound hollow.
3. The surface is smooth, with no heavy embossing, flocking, or raised texture.
4. The paper is not vinyl-faced or otherwise slick and coated.
5. The room is not a full bathroom, laundry room, or other space with frequent moisture.
6. The new paper is thick or patterned enough to hide minor seam lines underneath.

Even then, it is a calculated risk. Many wallpaper manufacturers specify installation on a properly primed wall, so papering over paper may also affect any product warranty.

Wallpaper over wallpaper or remove it first?

Here is a quick way to think through the decision:

Before deciding, test a corner. If the existing paper is strippable, removal may take less time than proper sealing. Our guide to removing wallpaper without damaging drywall explains how to identify your paper type.

How do you prepare old wallpaper if you paper over it?

If the existing paper passes every check above, preparation is what decides whether the new layer lasts. The key is sealing the old paper so new paste cannot soak into it.

1. Clean it. Wash away dust and grease with a mild cleaner and let it dry.
2. Fix small defects. Re-glue any small loose edge with seam adhesive. If you find more than a few, stop and remove the paper instead.
3. Smooth the seams. Lightly feather any raised seam lines with a thin coat of joint compound, then sand gently once dry.
4. Seal with an oil-based or shellac primer. These create a moisture barrier over the old paper. A water-based primer can itself soften the old paste and cause bubbles.
5. Apply a wallcovering primer if recommended. Depending on the products, a wallcovering primer over the sealer helps tack and evens the color. Our wallcovering primer guide covers the options.
6. Offset the new seams. Plan the layout so the new seams do not land on top of old seams, which reduces telegraphing and stress.

Shellac and oil-based primers produce strong fumes, so ventilate well and follow the label's safety instructions.

Can you put peel-and-stick wallpaper over existing wallpaper?

It is generally not recommended. Self-adhesive paper needs a smooth, sound, sealed surface, and old wallpaper is none of those reliably. Seams and texture underneath reduce contact, and the adhesive may bond more strongly to the old paper than the old paper bonds to the wall.

That last point matters most when you later remove the peel-and-stick. Instead of releasing cleanly, it can pull the old layer off in pieces, leaving a patchy mess. Our comparison of peel-and-stick vs. traditional wallpaper explains the surfaces each type needs.

What about painting over wallpaper?

Painting over wallpaper has the same core problem: water-based paint can soften the paste and cause bubbles, and seams usually show through the paint. It also makes the paper much harder to remove later, because paint seals the surface against water.

If you are tempted to paint over paper, removal is almost always the better long-term choice. In older homes, we often find paper that was painted decades ago, and taking it off is a slower, messier job than it would have been at the time. If your home has plaster walls with layers like this, see our guide to removing wallpaper from plaster walls.

Are there safety concerns with old wallpaper?

In older homes, the main concern is what is on or under the paper. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, either beneath the wallpaper or rolled over it. Test painted surfaces before sanding or scraping, and use lead-safe methods if lead is present.

Whenever you use water to remove paper, turn off power to the room at the breaker and remove outlet and switch covers first.

What if you rent or live in a condo with existing wallpaper?

If you rent, ask before changing any wallpaper, including covering it. Papering over a landlord's paper creates a two-layer removal job at move-out, and many leases require walls to be returned to their original condition.

In condos, the walls inside your unit are usually yours to update, but your HOA may set work hours, require protection for hallways and elevators, or ask for notice before contractors arrive. Wet removal also produces bags of heavy, sticky debris that need to go out through common areas. Our guide to wallpaper in condos, rentals, and HOA buildings covers what to check before work starts.

In both cases, the temptation to cover old paper rather than remove it is understandable. But the next person to change the room, whether that is you, a future buyer, or a landlord, will face the harder job.

What do professional installers usually recommend?

Most professionals recommend removing old wallpaper, repairing the wall, and priming before hanging new paper. It costs more in prep time up front, but it gives you a flatter finish, tighter seams, a sound bond, and a wall that is easy to change again in the future.

Our wallpaper removal service and wall preparation service take care of everything before your new wallpaper is hung, so the paper you chose goes onto a properly prepared surface.

Get a free on-site estimate

Not sure whether your old paper can stay? Wallpaper Installer Seattle is licensed and insured, with 10+ years of residential and commercial experience. We come to your home or business, test the existing paper, and give you a free written estimate with a clear recommendation. Call or text (425) 500-6842, email seattlewallpaper@gmail.com, or request your estimate online. We reply within 24 hours.

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