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What Is Paintable Wallpaper?

May 10, 2022

Home improvements and makeovers have become quite the trend, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it's been painting every room in your house, buying or rearranging furniture, or looking for unique ways to customize your room, making upgrades and changes can be fun and also a good way to spend time with your family.

One thing you may have been looking into is paintable wallpapers. This product is exactly how it sounds: wallpaper that you can actually paint over. Isn't the whole point of wallpaper to avoid painting your walls? Technically, yes. But trust us, paintable wallpaper is fun and a great way to add a unique texture to any room in your home.

What To Use Paintable Wallpaper For

Paintable wallpaper can be used for various reasons:

  • Replacing old wallpaper
  • New kitchen backsplash
  • For furniture
  • Accent wall
  • On the ceiling
  • Applying to an entire room

Installing Paintable Wallpaper Is Easy

This type of wallpaper is installed like traditional wallpaper. Walls should also be prepped as they would before installing traditional wallpaper. This means you'll need to fill in any nail holes, remove any leftover wallpaper glue, and let everything completely dry. Once dry, you'll need to sand and smooth the wall and apply a primer. Let dry again.

Ensuring the walls are completely dry and prepped will make installing paintable wallpaper that much easier. You'll also want to have the following tools on hand:

  • Razor knife
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • Pencil
  • Wallpaper smoother
  • Paint roller and tray
  • Straight edge
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Sponge

First, you'll need to determine where to start. Draw lines on the wall with a pencil as a guide. You may also find it helpful to draw lines on the back of the wallpaper as a guide too. Next, put the wallpaper adhesive in a painting tray and use a wallpaper roller to roll it on the walls. Don't apply it to the entire wall. Do small sections at a time so it doesn't have time to dry. Start hanging the wallpaper at the top of the wall and work your way down. Use a wallpaper smoother to get rid of any bubbles/imperfections. Use your utility knife to trim any extra paper.

Repeat until you've covered the entire wall or room, whichever look you're going for!

Why You'll Love Using Paintable Wallpaper

People use textured paintable wallpaper to obviously add texture to a room and create a unique space rather than going for a more traditional look. This is why it's also a great option to use as a kitchen backsplash or one accent wall. Plus, there is a variety of different textures, patterns and designs to choose from to suit your preferences and goals.

After installation, you paint over it with your colour or colours of choice and the type of paint of your choice – gloss, semi-gloss, matte, etc. You don't need special paint to use with this type of wallpaper, however, you should let the wallpaper rest for 36-48 hours before painting it.

Can Paintable Wallpaper Be Used In The Bathroom?

While most wallpapers can hold up well in a bathroom regardless of humidity and moisture, it's best to test it out first. Cut a small sample and place it on the wall for about a week or two to see if it's held up well.

Paintable wallpaper makes for a great accent wall in a bathroom or as a sink backsplash.

Contact A Professional For Help

If you don't have time to remove old wallpaper yourself or install paintable wallpaper, contact a professional contractor like Apex Wallpaper. We're a Toronto-based wallpaper installation company that has been in business since 1998. We can efficiently remove old wallpaper, prep your walls, and install paintable wallpaper for you. We can also provide our expert advice on the best type of pattern and paint to choose that will work best for your home and design goals.

We can also discuss other types of wallpaper coverings such as peel and stick wallpaper, vinyl, liner, printed, and more. Whether it's for bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, or even ceilings, we'll help you make the right decision so your new wall covering will last for years.

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