Get matched with top wallpaper pros in Baudette, MN

No, you don’t always have to remove old wallpaper before applying a new layer. However, you should pull off the existing wallpaper if it’s cracked, peeling, or in poor condition. We’d also recommend against putting wallpaper over textured or dark-colored wallpaper because the old layer may be visible through the new one. In addition, if you try to hang new wallpaper over vinyl-coated wallpaper, the adhesive might not stick properly. 

It’s possible to hang your own wallpaper, but the process is tedious and potentially frustrating, and it can be challenging to get seams to line up and look clean and professional. Plus, depending on the type of wallpaper you’re installing, using too much or too little adhesive could cause damage to your drywall or plaster, peeling, and bubbling in the final product. It’s usually a better idea to hire a professional wallpaper installer to do the work for you, as the relatively low cost is justifiable, if only to avoid damage to your walls.

Wallpaper lasts an average of around 15 years, but there is some variance. The type of wallpaper matters, as vinyl wallpaper tends to last the longest—sometimes 20 years or more—while a peel-and-stick wallpaper, which is the easiest to install for DIYers, will usually only last for around five years. Exposure to high humidity, smoke, and UV rays from sunlight can also limit the lifespan of your wallpaper, as can heavy traffic in the installation area.

If you need a stronger magnetic surface, or you need to use a different type of paint in the room (like waterproof paint in a damp basement), there are other accessible options. You could fit a steel panel over the wall, try magnetic wallpaper, or apply chalk paint instead. 

If you want an inexpensive shortcut, hang a pinboard or chalkboard on your wall. These removable options are ideal if you’re a renter who can’t repaint or plan to move in the near future.