Should I paint over wallpaper or remove it?!?

Susan Marie
by Susan Marie
My home was built in 1974 and has A LOT of wallpaper. I'm just getting started with updating the house to sell this spring. Talk about a Throwback!!! I don't know how it's been adhered to the drywall. Removing the wallpaper sounds tedious...can I just paint over it or is it best to remove it? I'm concerned about ventilation associated with some products and don't know which one would work best. It would need to be pet friendly too :-)

  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 15, 2018

    Remove it.....Painting over wall paper eventually will lead to unnecessary labor.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 15, 2018

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/walls/best-way-to-remove-wallpaper-3370217

  • Pam Young Pam Young on Jan 15, 2018

    Remove it! You will get a much nicer look without all of the layers, I removed 8 layers and if you steam it well should come off pretty easily

  • Removing wallpaper is a lot of work if it's still tight to the wall. You can paint over it (I've done it) but you do get a better look if it's removed and the glue is all removed from the walls.

  • William William on Jan 15, 2018

    So many rooms rent out a steamer and remove it. Better sales feature than any buyers noticing painted wallpaper.

    • Susan Marie Susan Marie on Jan 15, 2018

      I’d painted my kitchen probably three years ago and it turned out great...just want sure if I should try it again...sounds like I should go for the cleaner look...it’ll be a good winter project!

  • Tricia Chitwood Tricia Chitwood on Jan 15, 2018

    Susan - My old house was the same way. Previous owners loved them some wallpaper - dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen. I removed all of it over the course of a few years. Removing the paper is the best way to know what's under there - could be cracks or other things that you want to know about! I didn't use any harsh chemicals - spray bottle with water and/or steamer, sometimes a scoring tool, and a scraper. Got all the paper off - one bathroom had 4 layers of paper!! - and then washed the walls with warm water and a good microfiber cloth to get off all the adhesive. Good luck!

  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 15, 2018

    Having painted wallpaper would make the house less desirable for sure, as would having wallpaper. Get busy and score the heck out of it, and use hot water and cheap fabric softner from the Dollar Store. Get the scraper, car sponge, kitchen rubber gloves, and lots of plastic tarps to tape to the baseboards. The fabric softner isn't too bad on the smell, just don't get the floral scent.... stick to fresh or rain scent.

    • Susan Marie Susan Marie on Jan 15, 2018

      Sounds like I’m gonna have to host a party! I sure appreciate all the input :-)