Can I put wallpaper or even contact paper on paneled walls?

Jan21764566
by Jan21764566
All walls are have paneling. Want to change a few walls, but easily with limited cost.

  21 answers
  • Repositionable contact paper would probably work but I am not sure how much it would cost because not sure how much you need.

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Nov 13, 2017

    The lines on the paneling will show through. You would be better off painting the paneling. Prime it first with Kilz and then paint. It will update and brighten the walls instantly!

  • Karen Tokarse Karen Tokarse on Nov 13, 2017

    Cindy is right. Wallpaper -- especially the kind you will need to cover this -- is very expensive. Follow Cindy's advice.

  • Gib6732847 Gib6732847 on Nov 13, 2017

    I've done prime and paint on paneling and it was beautiful. Be sure to use flat or matte finish paint, nothing shiny.

    I think that you will like it. I got lots of compliments on mine and it was easy to do. Good luck.

  • Big lulu Big lulu on Nov 13, 2017

    Save yourself a lot of work and expense. Use paint over paneling instead of wallpaper.

    You'll get a whole new look almost instantly.

    Contact paper is a real hassle and wallpaper is expensive. Plus, you'll have to fill the lines between the panels before ever staring. Not going to be easy.

  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Nov 13, 2017

    You could fill the groves with spackle then sand smooth before applying your primer, then paint. Make sure the paneling is clean of any grease or polish before your prime.

  • Big lulu Big lulu on Nov 13, 2017

    Cover the seams with slats for a wonderful board & batten look.

  • Dfm Dfm on Nov 13, 2017

    filling in the groves of the paneling is tedious. As the spackle dries it shrinks a bit, and you have to “top If off”...yup done that.. painting is a good option

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Nov 13, 2017

    Yes...we filled grooves and sanded first before wallpaper

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 05, 2023

    Well, You could but you will end up with paper stuck in the groves or bubbles!! Better to either cut into strips and paper the banels only or over board it and then paper.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jan 05, 2023

    You need to prep your walls before applying anything.

    Fill the grooves in.

    Prime.

    Paint.

    Apply your wall paper.

    The wall needs to be smooth and ready to accept the paint this will give you a smooth finish for applying wall paper or contact paper.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 12, 2023

    Prepping the wall is very important, it will be the base for your improvement.

    You could leave the grooves as they are or paint them, or fill them in. If you keep the grooves, you could paint them a color you like and hang strips of wallpaper between them.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 13, 2023

    Painting the paneled walls would be much cheaper and easier also.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 10, 2023

    Hello, you can, but it's just as easy to paint the paneling a color you like, just be sure to prime it first with a product like KILZ or others.

  • Yes, but you'll need to fill in the lines of the paneling or they will show through.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 12, 2023

    Would be much cheaper just to paint the paneling.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Nov 03, 2023

    Prime and Paint. It will look like shiplap.


  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 03, 2023

    Would be cheaper to paint the walls. Start with a good primer to prevent bleed thru.

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 04, 2023

    Hello Jan, hope this helps. There are many peel and stick options out there now that will stick nicely to paneled walls and most claim to be removeable with damage or resudue.

  • Janice Janice on Jan 06, 2024

    Most paneling has groves and the wallpaper won't look good unless you fill in those groves. You can get quick and stunning results by simply priming the paneling, then painting in a good wall paint in the color of your choice. Then actually the groves in the paneling adds some dimension but you could fill in the groves, sand, then paint.