Can You Put Wallpaper On Textured Walls?
QUICK ANSWER
Yes, but only for light textures (orange peel, light knockdown). For heavily textured walls, skim coat the wall smooth first before applying wallpaper. Heavy embossed wallpaper or wallpaper liner can sometimes hide light texture without skim coating. Test in a small area first.
Wallpaper goes on smooth walls best; texture shows through the paper in most cases. The question is whether your specific texture is light enough to disappear under wallpaper, or heavy enough to require smoothing first. The answer depends on the texture depth, the wallpaper thickness, and how forgiving you want to be about visible imperfections. Here is how to assess your walls and what to do about each common texture type.
What kind of texture is on your walls?
Common wall textures from least to most pronounced: orange peel (most common in new construction; light dimpled surface; usually wallpaper-friendly with thicker papers). Light knockdown (orange peel that's been partially flattened with a trowel; some areas smooth, some textured; works with thicker wallpapers). Heavy knockdown (more pronounced texture with visible flat spots and bumps; needs skim coating). Skip trowel (artistic texture with deeper variations; needs full skim coat). Popcorn or stomped texture (very rough; absolutely needs smoothing). Smooth wall with imperfections (small dings or patches; wallpaper liner usually sufficient).
Will the texture show through?
It depends on the wallpaper thickness and pattern. Vinyl or non-woven wallpapers (thicker materials): hide light texture better than thin papers. Solid pattern wallpapers (single color or subtle texture-pattern designs): less revealing than busy patterns where you'll see texture through the pattern. Embossed wallpapers (paintable or pre-finished): designed to hide imperfections; can disguise moderate texture. Thin paper wallpapers and grasscloth: show every imperfection; only work on truly smooth walls. Glossy wallpapers: highlight any unevenness. Test by holding a piece of the chosen wallpaper against the wall in good lighting; if you can see the texture, you'll see it once installed.
How do you skim coat a textured wall?
Skim coating applies a thin layer of joint compound over the entire wall to create a smooth surface. Materials: joint compound (Sheetrock Lite, USG Sheetrock), 12-inch drywall taping knife, drywall sanding sponge, primer. Method: roll on a coat of primer first to seal the texture. Mix joint compound to a peanut butter consistency. Apply with the wide knife in thin coats, pressing into low spots and skimming high spots. Let dry overnight. Sand smooth. Apply second coat if needed. Skim coating a 12 by 12 room takes a weekend for a beginner; pros do it in a day. Prime the smooth wall before wallpapering.
Are there shortcuts to skim coating?
Several options offer less work than full skim coating. Wallpaper liner (heavy backing paper): goes on first, then wallpaper goes on top; hides light to moderate texture without skim coating. Lining paper costs 30 to 60 dollars per roll. Heavy paintable embossed wallpaper (Anaglypta, Lincrusta): provides its own texture that hides the wall texture beneath; can paint over for final color. Removable peel-and-stick wallpaper: more forgiving of small texture variations than traditional paste wallpapers. Heavy vinyl wallpaper: thicker than regular wallpaper, hides moderate texture. Each shortcut has limits; for heavily textured walls, only true skim coating produces a smooth result.
Wallpapering textured walls works for light textures with the right paper, but heavy textures need smoothing first. Skim coating is the gold standard for smooth walls. Wallpaper liner provides a middle ground for moderate textures. Heavy embossed wallpapers offer the most forgiveness. The investment in proper preparation determines the final appearance more than the wallpaper itself; cheap preparation under expensive wallpaper produces disappointing results.
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