Can I Paint Over My Bathroom's Wallpaper?

Can you paint over wallpaper - even in a bathroom? Having done so successfully, I know it is not only possible but that the paint can last for years (we painted over the wallpaper in one bathroom nearly 10 years ago and all is fine).

However, not every bathroom is an ideal candidate for the "paint over wallpaper" treatment. In the wrong bathroom, paint can blister, peel or expose the wallpaper underneath it. In bathrooms that don't vent properly, excess moisture could have the paint bubbling and crackling. You don't want to get rid of one problem and have another one take its place.

Use these tips to size up your bathroom and help ensure that you can paint over wallpaper and enjoy the results for years to come:

How to Paint over Wallpaper in a Bathroom - Start by Being Honest About Your Bathroom

If you don't have a working fan in your bathroom or the fan isn't enough to prevent signs of excess moisture (mold, mildew and mirrors that stay fogged for a long time), you might want to reconsider painting over the wallpaper in that bathroom. If the wallpaper is already peeling and you see signs of mildew underneath, be especially wary.

It might be far easier to strip the wallpaper, get rid of any mold or mildew and correct any vent problems in the bathroom. Do you see signs of water damage or former leaks in the bathroom ceiling? Another sign that your bathroom needs to be evaluated before trying to paint over wallpaper. If your towels smell of mildew within a day or two of being in your bathroom, trust your nose and don't paint over the wallpaper in there, not until the moisture problem is solved.

Special tip: Haven't had your home inspected lately for lurking home maintenance problems? Do that before painting.

Why go to the trouble of painting over wallpaper and then discover you've got a leaky ceiling or hidden water issue behind the wall (leaky pipes, perhaps)?

Guest Bathrooms or Vanity Rooms are Often Best Bets when Painting Over Wallpaper

We had a guest bathroom which was as close to a black hole as possible, with dark wallpaper, black counter and (I kid you not) even a black toilet. The floor tiles and accent wall tiles? Also black. The only ray of light in that room was the white toilet paper, not exactly the effect we wanted. After testing a variety of paint colors, we went with a very pale green shade that made the room look much lighter. To make sure the room was a potentially good choice, we made sure the wallpaper was still firmly affixed to the wall, with no bubbles, torn spots or other signs of major damage. Very small tears can be fixed with special wallpaper adhesive but do check with a reputable paint or hardware store to find the right kind.

After putting a primer on the wallpaper, we simply painted over it. It took several coats to cover the black tinged wallpaper but it was worth every bit of time. The black hole suddenly looked light and airy. Years later, no one guesses that very ugly wallpaper lurks beneath the pale green walls and he black counter and accent tiles no longer dominate the room.

Special tip: paint over wallpaper in guest bathrooms without tubs or showers in them (most don't have them).

You'll have minor humidity in a guest bathroom that contains only a sink and toilet but bathtubs and showers can add more moisture to the air.

Treat Textured Wallpaper Differently Than Smooth Wallpaper

Can you paint over textured wallpaper? Absolutely! However, the texture may still show through and that may be absolutely fine with you. If you don't want to deal with that texture, however, check with your paint store staff about materials that can cover or get rid of the textured wallpaper. Sanding it is an option but I consider this time consuming and very messy. I'll choose the quick fix method every time. It may also take more time to paint over textured wallpaper and fill in any missed spots with a smaller brush.

Special tip: it may be easier to strip textured wallpaper than paint over it but....

If you've going for a neutral look, painting over textured wallpaper can add interest to an otherwise bland room. Nearly any room's decor can benefit from some textural interest.

Finally, if the Wallpaper is in Questionable Shape, Consider Special Paint Techniques

Faux finishes, combinations of colors and even paint decals or stencils can help disguise irregularly shaped bathrooms as well as wallpaper that may have a few flaws. Special paint techniques can make those flaws fade away. If you're particularly bold, you might try painting animal prints on at least one wall. Yes, animal prints are very much in style. Zebra stripes, anyone?

Special tip: consider painting over old wallpaper by using special paint techniques

If you've ever stripped layers of wallpaper, painting over it could be far easier. I know. I've tried both methods. When possible, I'll paint over wallpaper.