How can I paint over wallpaper to change the color a bit?

Yvonne Lyons
by Yvonne Lyons

... is lovely but the complementing wallpaper is not complementing it at all - a grey, silver and white elderflower vynl wallpaper. I'm thinking of trying a dull grey wash over the tree wallpaper to match the grey in the liked wallpaper. I'm not sure how this might work or if it will work. Can you suggest anything? Thank you for any replies, Yvonne

Wallpaper 1, the one I like !

  19 answers
  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Nov 30, 2019

    Is the wallpaper raised? You might not be able to see the flowers if you use paint?

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Nov 30, 2019

    I would paint adjoining walls

  • Michelle James Michelle James on Nov 30, 2019

    I say go for it. Try a sample first and see how it looks in different lights at different times during the day. If you like it...keep going and if you don't. Well, then you know and you can formulate another plan.

  • If you have another type of wallpaper, I'm wondering if it's too much pattern and that's why it's not complimenting? Definitely try painting on a sample first to see what you think.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 30, 2019

    I would not recommend to paint over any wallpaper.

    Although it is 'possible' to do this, the problems and the mess that you will have trying to remove it will make you regret doing so.

    Decide on either the grey or the yellow wallpaper. Then remove the one that you prefer least.

  • William William on Nov 30, 2019

    Try a small jar of sample paint and water it down 50/50. Try a small area first and see if it works. Use a sponge rather than a brush. Have better control.

  • Painting wallpaper is tricky as it's not really meant to be painted, it may rub right off. Try an inconspicuous spot first. Be careful not to saturate the paper too much lest it peels and bubbles. Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend painting wallpaper.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 02, 2019

    I love that gray wallpaper. I would paint the adjoining wall.

  • Mindshift Mindshift on Dec 02, 2019

    I do not recommend trying to "stain" over the wallpaper you don't like. For one, you need a special glaze medium that is expensive. If you use a gray-tinted glaze the yellow is still going to show through. It will be lighter and duller, perhaps, but it will still be yellow. You would be better off buying more of the liked wallpaper and doing the whole room.

    Most vinyl wallpaper was never intended to be painted over and removal is recommended unless impossible. If your only choice is to paint here is a link explaining preparation: https://living.thebump.com/tips-painting-vinyl-wall-coverings-6578.html

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 04, 2019

    Hello there,

    Not a good idea to try and paint over Vinyl wallpaper. It will look a mess and not stay put. Best to strip off the paper and start again with a clean wall and maybe just paint the wall the grey colour you like! Anything else could be more costly. Best of luck!

  • Dee Dee on Jan 22, 2023

    You can definitely paint over wall paper. I did it in my kitchen several years ago, and even repainted it a few years ago, just to change the color. The trick is not to get the roller or brush too heavy with paint. I used Benjamin Moore paint, because the paint you get in Home Depot or Lowes is too watery. Hop[e this helps


  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 10, 2023

    Hello, I would try the gray wash on the wallpaper.

  • If the wallpaper is smooth and not lifting, try a watered-down color to go over it.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 12, 2023

    If the wall paper is in good condition you could apply a white wash over the paper. I have heard of people leaving it out in the sun so it fades the paper.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Jan 30, 2024

    What did you end up doing???

  • Janice Janice on Jan 30, 2024

    Not a good idea. Choose which wallpaper you like best, remove the other, then paint the wall to complement after removing the paste or anything left from removing the paper.

  • Betsy Betsy on Jan 30, 2024

    Hi Yvonne: If you don't want to remove the wallpaper and it is not raised, you can paint over it first with a stain blocker like Binz or Zinsser and then your paint. Here's a site that may help: Can You Paint Over Vinyl Wallpaper? Discover 2 Techniques (canyoupaintit.com)

  • We have wallpaper in our home that has been painted over...it's not ideal. I would remove the wallpaper if possible and re-paper in a complimentary pattern or paint.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 01, 2024

    If it is Vinyl, it won't work! Best to replace it. That said you might be able to play about with Art Acrylics?