The cost to remove texture from walls depends on square footage and the type of texture. Learn all the factors that will impact your budget in this guide.
Can You Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls? Here’s What to Know
The question is less “can you?” than “should you?"
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Installing wallpaper over textured walls works best on smoother textures like knockdown or Venetian, while popcorn or stomp brush textures prevent proper adhesion.
Thick wallpaper with dark colors and busy patterns hides texture better than light-colored options, helping your finished walls look smooth and professional.
Sanding down texture or applying joint compound creates a smooth surface for your wallpaper, ensuring even thin or light-colored designs show up beautifully.
Hiring a local wallpaper installation professional removes the guesswork from wall preparation and ensures proper adhesion, especially when dealing with textured surfaces or joint compound application.
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There’s nothing that dramatically changes the atmosphere of a room as quickly and completely as wallpaper. But if you’re thinking about a vibe shift in a room with textured walls, you may be second-guessing yourself: Can you put wallpaper on textured walls? The answer is, technically, yes, but in some cases, you should think twice and consider smoothing the wall first.
Can You Put Wallpaper on Textured Walls?
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You can put wallpaper on textured walls, but this comes with several caveats.
If you have a type of drywall texture that’s fairly smooth already and has larger flat sections throughout, such as a knockdown or Venetian texture, the wallpaper may stick well and look fine. However, if you have sharper, more densely textured walls, like popcorn or stomp brush walls, the wallpaper won’t stick correctly. In any case, most homeowners agree that wallpaper on textured walls doesn’t look as good as it would on a perfectly smooth wall.
In some cases, putting wallpaper on a textured wall could actually present a safety hazard. For instance, in a bathroom that regularly gets humid, the spaces between the wall and the wallpaper created by the texture could create a breeding ground for mold.
What Types of Wallpaper Work Best for Textured Walls?
There are some situations in which wallpapering a textured wall can work, and the type of wallpaper you choose can increase your chances of a successful application. You should choose a thick, dark-colored wallpaper with a busy pattern because this is the least likely type to allow the wall texture to show through. Light-colored wallpapers are a no-no because they’re more likely to show the texture underneath.
It’s always a good idea to try a sample sheet on a small part of your wall to see how much the texture shows through before you commit to the entire project. Un-wallpapering a textured wall can be even more of a challenge, so it’s better to know what you’re getting into before you’ve already wallpapered half the room.
Pro Tip
Once your wallpaper arrives, remove it from its packaging and leave it in the exact room you're installing it in for a minimum of 24 hours. This allows your wallpaper to acclimate to that room's environment, reducing the risk of shrinkage and potentially saving you money by not having to order more.
Do Peel-and-Stick Decals Work on Textured Walls?
Whether or not peel-and-stick decals will work on textured walls depends on the amount of texture on the wall and the quality of the peel-and-stick decal. More often than not, peel-and-stick wallpaper and decals are less likely to function perfectly on textured walls. This is another case where it’s a good idea to test a small part of the decal or sheet of wallpaper in an inconspicuous spot before committing to a larger project.
How to Smooth Walls for Wallpapering
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The ideal surface for wallpapering is a completely smooth wall. That way, even a thin or light-colored wallpaper will show up with the beauty of its design on display rather than allowing the texture underneath to peek through.
If you have textured walls and don’t want to take any chances with your wallpaper application, you’ll have to flatten or smooth your walls first. This involves sanding down the texture or applying a coat or two of joint compound to smooth the surface. If you use joint compound, you’ll have to let it dry after applying and then sand it smooth for the best result.
These projects are DIYable but intricate, time-consuming, and messy. So, if you’re serious about changing the texture of your walls (or simply want to confirm that you’ll have to for the design you have in mind), a wallpaper installer near you can help.
Wallpaper services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 6 total reviews
- Sue B.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriors - Jim V.
The Cisco team did an exceptionally good job of painting (very detailed), and they were professional, courteous, helpful and just pleasant to have in our home for a week. I have already recommended Cisco to some neighbors.
Cisco Finishes - Amelia R.
I couldnt be happier with Custom Paint Jobs LLC! Their attention to detail transformed my home.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLC - Locke M.
The task proved more difficult than anticipated. When they arrived the first day, they had no tools with them at all, and had to make a run to purchase appropriate tools. It was quickly determined that the paper had to be steamed off, and neither the workers, nor the company itself, had...
ABS Interiors of Mid-Ohio LLC - Alesia B.
We needed them to do extra work to remove existing wallpaper, and provide full primer and painting/trim work around existing furniture etc, during a move-in period. They did everything top-notch with minimal mess. They were always extremely on time, and very professional. They also cleaned...
- William B.
WALLS IN OLD VICTORIAN WERE GOUGED AND CRACKED AFTER REMOVAL OF WALLPAPER. VERY CAREFUL WORK. GOOD ATTENTION TO DETAIL. CLEAN-UP WAS A LITTLE MESSY.
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