Can You Wallpaper on Textured Walls?

Things to Think About Before Adding Wallpaper to Walls with Texture

Wall Texture

How the wall feels and looks will affect how well the wallpaper sticks and appears. Sometimes, the wallpaper might stick poorly because the textures are too strong or not even.

Getting Ready

It’s really important to prepare well before putting wallpaper on textured walls. To make things smooth, you need to sand rough parts, fill in gaps or cracks, and ensure the surface is nice and even for better sticking.

Type of Wallpaper

Some wallpapers may need to be fixed on textured walls. Search for options made specifically for bumpy surfaces, like wallpapers made of vinyl or fabric that can stretch and fit onto uneven areas.

Types of Textured Walls

There are several common types of textured walls that you might come across. Let’s explore them together:

Orange Peel Texture

The texture is quite similar to the outer layer of an orange. Its surface is dimpled and uneven.

Falling Texture

This textured wall looks rough and bumpy. Spray joint glue on the surface and then smooth it.

Bumpy Texture

This texture looks like the peel of an orange. To make small bumps on the wall, you can put on thin layers of joint compound or use a special spray gun.

Popcorn Texture

This style is called acoustic or cottage cheese texture. It has a bumpy surface that looks like popcorn kernels. Many older homes used to have it, but people don’t like it anymore because it looks old-fashioned.

Skip Trowel Texture

In big strokes, you put a joint compound on the wall to make this texture. You then gently glide a tool, such as a trowel, over it to create patterns and textures.

Venetian Plaster Texture

This fancy finish comes from Italy. It uses many layers of plaster applied in different ways to make it look smooth but also textured, like marble or stone.

Stucco Texture

Stucco is a material that is often used on the outside of buildings. However, it can also be used inside to make things look more interesting and last longer. It helps make textured walls smoother and adds a special texture to make a room look even better.

Steps to Apply Wallpaper on Textured Walls

Here are the steps to apply wallpaper on textured walls:

Step 1: Prepare the wall

Make sure to clean the wall well to remove any dirt or dust. Make the wall smooth by fixing any rough areas or bumps.

Step 2: Measure and Cut

Measure the wall’s height from floor to ceiling. Add several inches for trimming. Then, To make your work easier, use a smoothing tool to eliminate any bubbles or wrinkles.

Lay your wallpaper flat on a surface to make it easy. Then, use the measurements to cut panels. Be sure to align patterns if applicable.

Step 3: Put on Wallpaper Paste

To apply wallpaper paste, use a roller or brush to spread it evenly on each panel. Make careful you follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer. Ensuring everything is uniformly soaked and not too wet or dry is crucial.

Step 4: Put up Wallpaper Panels

To begin, position one corner of the wallpaper panel against the wall. Make sure the top edge of the panel is aligned with either the plumb line or level line markings on the wall.

Step 5: Trim Any Extra Wallpaper

After putting all the panels in their proper positions, you can use a sharp utility knife to cut off any extra parts near the ceilings, corners, and baseboards. Be careful not to harm the texture underneath when you cut.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Wallpaper on Textured Wall

Wallpaper can bring character to any area, especially on textured walls. People often make errors while applying wallpaper on textured surfaces. A professional finish is assured by avoiding these blunders. Important errors to avoid:

Not Properly Preparing the Wall

Not prepping the textured wall before wallpapering is a significant error. Clean, smooth, and remove loose dirt and flaking paint from the wall. Apply wall primer or sealer to smooth the surface.

The Improper Adhesive

Not all adhesives work on textured walls. Pick a glue that works well on textured surfaces. This will prevent the wallpaper from tearing or bubbling.

Improperly Measuring and Cutting Wallpaper

Measure the wall carefully to determine the right quantity. Not doing so may cause wallpaper gaps, overlaps, and mismatched designs.

Skipping Booking

Wallpaper application requires folding the glued sides of the wallpaper upon itself and letting it sit for a certain time. This activates the glue and makes the wallpaper more flexible. Skipping this step might cause bubbling and adhesion issues.

Rushing the Application

Apply wallpaper slowly for a smooth finish. Rushing may cause misalignment, air bubbles, and wrinkles.

In the End

Putting wallpaper on walls with texture can be tricky, but it can be done if you follow the right steps. Make sure you get your walls ready and pick the right glue. Ensure you avoid mistakes like going too fast or pressing too hard. If you like other choices, use textured paint or wall decals to make your walls look more interesting. If you are patient and pay close attention to details, you can make your textured walls look amazing and become the center of attention in your home. Have fun decorating!