Can You Paint Over Wallpaper in a Bathroom? Let’s Find Out

A woman painting a blue wall with a roller.

Have you ever taken a look at your bathroom’s outdated wallpaper and thought about what you might do to make it look more modern without having to remove the wallpaper entirely? Using the steps in this guide, you will learn how to paint over wallpaper in a bathroom.

This task is a lot simpler than it appears, and it is also a far more practical technique for updating your bathroom! Who wants to go through the hassle of replacing wallpaper when you can simply paint over it and design your DIY pattern instead?

Can You Paint Over Wallpaper in a Bathroom?

Yes, you can paint your wallpaper in a bathroom; however, you must first remove the wallpaper and any remaining stickiness from the walls before you can begin painting the wallpaper. On the other hand, the removal of wallpaper may result in damage to the wall beneath it in some circumstances.

This is conceivable if the wallpaper is put over drywall or plaster that has not been painted. You could also have to remove several layers of wallpaper, which would make the job much more complex.

Painting over wallpaper is a great way to get rid of an old pattern and add a new one to your room without completely removing the walls.

When Not to Paint Over Wallpaper

Certain varieties of wallpaper cannot be repainted. Some forms of wallpaper, including fabric-backed vinyl, fall into this category of peeling wallpaper. Because this wallpaper pattern is so easy to remove, it’s a positive thing.

Fortunately, the rule of thumb is that wallpaper that is difficult to remove is a good candidate for painting over, while wallpaper that is easy to remove is a bad option for painting over.

Related:
How to Create an Amazing Bathroom That’s also Functional

Removing wallpaper that has been repainted is significantly more complex than removing wallpaper that has been peeled off. Try deleting the wallpaper first before making a decision. Let your success or failure serve as a guide for your future endeavors and decisions.

There are a few caveats to the general conclusion that wallpaper can be painted over, with certain exceptions and concerns. The most important part of the process is pre-planning.

paint over wallpapers

How To Prepare Wallpaper For Painting

Every painting project starts with the same steps. The same holds while attempting to figure out how to paint over wallpaper in a bathroom. When preparing a surface for painting, you must consider many considerations.

1. Cleaning

Is your bathroom wallpaper in good condition? Begin by inspecting the sort of wallpaper in the bathroom. Paint conceals tidy walls better than filthy ones. Vinyl wallpaper is simple to remove dirt from fabric patterns.

To begin cleaning, combine some liquid detergents with hot water and a clean towel. Make use of a clear detergent that will not discolor your wallpaper. Before cleaning the wallpaper, immerse the cloth fabric in the liquid solution and wring it out.

Additionally, you can use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate all dust and debris from your bathroom wallpaper. Before painting over your bathroom wallpaper, inspect for spots and remove them.

2. Smooth Out the Wallpaper

After the bathroom wallpaper has been thoroughly cleaned, the following step is to soften it. Examine the wallpaper to see if any pieces are jutting out or torn. If you come across some, get some glue and paste them down.

Related:
Things To Consider Before Buying Kitchen Worktops

It is more difficult to paint over a rough surface. So, before you paint over the rough spots on your bathroom wallpaper, take considerable time to repair them.

After you’ve fixed the blemishes, allow the wallpaper to dry before continuing with the bathroom makeover. It is important to apply primer over your wallpaper before applying the coat of paint.

Steps for Painting Over Wallpaper

Gain knowledge of how to paint over wallpaper in your home by following these simple instructions.

Step 1: Clean the walls

Wipe the loose debris and dust from the walls with a slightly moist towel. A layer of dust will prevent the primer from adhering to it.

If the surfaces are greasy and dirty, use a dilute TSP mixture to clean them. If you soak the walls in the solution, the glue behind the wallpaper may soften and release, causing the wallpaper to detach or bubble.

Step 2: Repair any damages to the wallpaper

Look for peeling margins or gaps because these places have the most negligible adhesion. Some experts advocate reattaching these loose parts with a thin layer of wallpaper seam adhesive.

Another suggestion is to raise those places with a fine craft knife, chop the loosened portions away, then refill it with a spackle to produce a level surface before lightly sanding when entirely dry.

Suppose such wallpaper has a texture that you don’t want to show through the paint, sand the entire wall with a palm or orbiting sanding until smooth. Effectively remove dust with a wet cloth.

Step 3: Tape off molding and trim

Tape off any molding, trimming, wooden paneling, or baseboard that has to be protected with painter’s tape.

Related:
Bathroom Graffiti: Mere Vandalism or Deep Stories Written on a Bathroom Stall?

Step 4: Prime the walls

Regardless of the overcoat, oil-based, or water-based, an oil-based primer is required. A water-based primer could leak into the wallpaper and degrade the adhesive, so don’t do it.

Ensure appropriate ventilation. Use a brush to cut corners and edges, then a roller to complete large areas. Follow the manufacturer’s drying instructions.

Step 5: Start painting

Paint the wallpaper after cleaning, fixing, and priming it. This is vital if you are painting over dark-colored wallpaper with light-colored paint. Most usually, two applications are necessary, with enough drying time.

Painting over wallpaper is an option, although it is sometimes preferable to remove it.

The initial effort dictates the quality of the ultimate result. It’s all in the plans.

Scroll to Top