Can You Put Peel and Stick Wallpaper Over Textured Walls? (And What to Do If You Can't)
You’ve found the perfect peel and stick wallpaper for your space—a beautiful floral mural or a chic geometric pattern. You're ready to transform your room, but then you look at your walls and see it: texture.
Whether it’s a light orange peel finish or a more prominent knockdown texture, this common wall surface can throw a wrench in your plans. The question is: can you put peel and stick wallpaper over textured walls?
The short answer is: it's not recommended.
While a very light, subtle texture might work in some cases, applying removable wallpaper over a textured surface often leads to a disappointing result. Let's dive into why this is a problem and what you can do about it.
Why Textured Walls Are a Challenge for Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Peel and stick wallpaper is designed to adhere smoothly and evenly to a flat surface. The adhesive works best when it has maximum contact with the wall. When you try to apply it to a textured surface, you run into several issues:
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Poor Adhesion: The adhesive can only stick to the highest points of the texture, leaving tiny air gaps underneath. This lack of full contact significantly weakens the bond, causing the wallpaper edges to peel or the entire sheet to fall off over time.
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A Bumpy Appearance: The texture of the wall will show through the wallpaper, creating an uneven, lumpy, and unprofessional look. The beautiful design you chose will be distorted by the wall's imperfections.
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Bubbling and Wrinkling: Air trapped in the small crevices of the texture can cause persistent bubbles and wrinkles that are nearly impossible to smooth out.
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Risk of Damage Upon Removal: While peel and stick wallpaper is designed for easy removal, pulling it off a textured surface can sometimes chip or damage the wall because the adhesion isn't uniform.
So, How Do You Get Around Textured Walls?
Just because you have textured walls doesn't mean your dream of a temporary, stylish accent wall is over. You simply need to do a little prep work. There are two primary solutions to ensure your wallpaper looks flawless.
Option 1: Skim Coat the Walls (The Best, Most Permanent Solution)
A skim coat is a thin layer of drywall mud applied to a wall to make it smooth. This is the gold standard for preparing a textured wall for wallpaper or paint.
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What You’ll Need: Drywall compound, a large drywall knife (12-14 inches), sandpaper, and a primer.
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How It Works: You'll apply a thin, even layer of compound over the entire wall, scraping it with the knife to fill in all the low spots. You may need to apply a second or third coat after the first one dries and is lightly sanded.
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The Payoff: This method results in a perfectly smooth surface, creating the ideal canvas for your DIY peel and stick wallpaper installation. Once the skim coat is dry and sanded, a quick coat of primer will ensure excellent adhesion.
Option 2: Use Lining Paper (A Simpler, Less Labor-Intensive Alternative)
If a full skim coat sounds too daunting, lining paper is a great alternative. It's an unpasted paper that you hang on your wall before applying the decorative wallpaper.
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What You’ll Need: Unpasted lining paper, wallpaper paste, a smoothing tool, and a utility knife.
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How It Works: You apply the lining paper just like traditional wallpaper. It creates a smooth, uniform surface that completely hides the texture underneath. Once the lining paper is dry, you can proceed with your peel and stick wallpaper as planned.
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Pro Tip: Look for a heavy-duty, paintable lining paper. It's often thicker and more effective at concealing texture.
A Quick Recap: When You Can (And Can't) Apply Peel and Stick
Ready to Start Your Wall Transformation?
Don't let a little texture stop you from achieving the home of your dreams. By taking the right steps to prepare your walls, you can ensure your beautiful removable wallpaper project is a success.
Now that you know the secrets to a flawless finish, it’s time to find the perfect design for your space!