"I only use James when I need some work done to my house. He responds fast, gets the work done quicker than just about anyone else I've ever used and seems very concerned with leaving his customers happy."
No, you don’t need to apply paint primer to your wall before hanging paintable wallpaper. Manufacturers design paintable wallpaper so that the paint will adhere effectively, so primer isn’t necessary. Plus, even if you opt for a light shade of paint, you won’t have to worry about the shade underneath showing through because you are painting on a light, white surface.
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.
There can be too much of a good thing when it comes to accent walls, so avoid creating one in every room in your house. Some rooms, like bathrooms and kitchens, don’t naturally lend themselves to accent walls, so it’s best to skip them there. Of course, your home should reflect your own sense of style, so if accent walls in multiple rooms appeal to you, there’s no hard-and-fast rule forbidding it.
Putting up new wallpaper tends to take one to two days, depending on the size of the area, whether old paper needs to be removed, and if there is any damage to walls that needs to be smoothed over or fixed.
Having dated, peeling, or otherwise damaged wallpaper can decrease the value of your property, so removing that before listing your house is nearly always a good idea; however, since wallpaper tends to be a personal style choice, potential buyers may or may not love your aesthetic as much as you do.
Love the look of wallpaper but want to consider property value as well? Stick with something that is easy to change. If you are thinking of selling soon, make sure your wallpaper hanging is on-point and looks professional with no crooked seams, evenly matched patterns, and minimal bubbling or other imperfections.
The Ashley, ND homeowners’ guide to wallpaper services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover wallpaper installation cost. Learn about material, labor, and project factors to estimate your budget and make informed choices for your home.
Whether you can put wallpaper over wallpaper depends on the type of paper you’re using and the condition of the existing surface. Learn more with this guide.