Asked on Jan 23, 2015

Can you put wallpaper on MDF board?

Edith L
by Edith L
It would be paintable wall paper. Doesn't need to be durable for the project I have in mind. Thanks.
  11 answers
  • Yes you can. Ideally priming the board first will assure that the paper later on can be removed if your idea does not work.
  • Edith L Edith L on Jan 24, 2015
    thanks for the info.
  • Barb Burnham Barb Burnham on Jan 24, 2015
    I would definitely prime it first with Gripper or other high quality primer. Nor for the same reason though. MDF is glued saw dust. It does not like moisture at all. Putting a barrier between it and the moisture of prepared or the paste for regular wallpaper will only result in all the moisture getting suckered into the MDF and you paper bubbling up before it peels off.
  • Edith L Edith L on Jan 24, 2015
    thanks! What I am wanting to do is cover something with paintable wallpaper, then paint and highlight the raised areas with a metallic paint. Main problem is, it needs to be big. The area I want to put it on is a very large blank wall. I am trying to find the best but cheapest thing for the board. I am afraid canvas would sag in the middle. Any ideas for what I can use? Here is my inspiration, from Thrifty Decor Chick
    • Lori Lori on Jan 24, 2015
      If you are looking for cheap board what about paneling, and paper the back of it. If 4 x 8 is too big, get it cut. You might even get used at the re use store. Just a thought. But for sure, paint MDF before putting water on it.
  • Edith L Edith L on Jan 24, 2015
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • If you use a spray adhesive used for cloth you can spray the boards and use the cloth or burlap. It will prevent the material from sagging.
  • Ellen Knox Ellen Knox on Jan 25, 2015
    You could use foamcore boards and glue the wallpaper on them.
  • Ellen Knox Ellen Knox on Jan 28, 2015
    I have never done it, but I have glued things on it, so I would think wallpaper would stick.
  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 10, 2023

    Hi Edith, hope this helps you out. Before installing a wall mural or wallpaper over MDF, you must prime it. This will allow the wallpaper to stick and prevent the MDF from absorbing the paste. After it has been primed, you can safely apply Eco Bella, Vinyl – HD Texture, or Prepasted Wallpaper to MDF.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 12, 2023

    Yes but you need to use a good primer first so the paint has something to hold onto.