Can I wallpaper over wallpaper?

I inherited (married the owner) a gorgeous bathroom that has 25 year-old wallpaper, floral. The floor is little pink tiles with gray grout. I want to put gray textured wallpaper on the walls. Do I HAVE to remove the old?
  10 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 28, 2017

    Yes that is the proper procedure.

  • William William on Feb 28, 2017

    You need to remove the old wallpaper. You need a solid base for wallpaper. Any moisture from glue will cause the underlying wallpaper to peel and the new wallpaper can bubble. Textured wallpaper is heavier than regular wallpaper.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Mar 01, 2017

    Yea, you're going to have to remove the wallpaper first but it doesn't have to be too bad-

    • Julie Carr Starkey Julie Carr Starkey on Mar 02, 2017

      Looks a lot like the paper I have to remove! I've done this method before. It was much harder than his project. Maybe because the house I did it in was much older? Thanks so much!

  • Jo Jo on Mar 02, 2017

    Depending on what's under the current wallpaper, you may want to go over it. Like if is covering an uneven surface. It also depends on the kind of paper you're going over, and how well it is attached to wall. You may need to degloss the current paper slightly. Not sure if you can use wallpaper primer on top of wallpaper. Good luck.

  • V Smith V Smith on Mar 02, 2017

    No. If the old paper is in good shape and not loose, you can use an oil based primer to seal the old paper. It does mean that someday you are going to have a nasty 2 layer removal. Painted paper can be a bear to remove.


  • Sarah Rucker Kuschke Sarah Rucker Kuschke on Mar 05, 2017

    Old school wallpaper was tough stuff! If it's all in tact I'd try. I painted over wallpaper. But like the above comment, if you ever go to take it off you will have a mess!

  • Julie Carr Starkey Julie Carr Starkey on Mar 07, 2017

    I have a designer friend who said she could wallpaper over it. The only thing I hesitate over is leaving it for the next homeowner, since we will be downsizing in a few years.

  • Julie Carr Starkey Julie Carr Starkey on Mar 07, 2017

    I remember the many layers on my parents' dining room wall. The house was about 125 years old. Awful job, but historically interesting.

  • Rvj21606784 Rvj21606784 on Mar 08, 2017

    I have the same problem, l plan to prime it and paper over it. I wish us both luck with this. Also may I suggest to put a wallpaper that is neutral in both color and pattern, if you plan later to sell you want it to attract many buyers.

  • Elsie Garcia Elsie Garcia on Aug 16, 2021

    It is essential to remove the old wallpaper, this video has detailed instructions that will hopefully help you, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thv1BBPaYvM