Paint over a papered wall

longwalks1

we have a feature wall, papered with green/silver regal type design that really darkens the room and we want to change, either to a lighter paper, or even painted. do we have to strip it off, or could we paint straight over it 2/3/4 times? if so, what paint, just plain white emulsion?

And IF we decide ot paper, could we paper over it, or has it got to come off?

arbrighton

Our house was painted over patterned paper when we bought it and looked dire. It really should be stripped back

JulieM

If the paper has some texture and is stuck down well, you might get away with just painting over, but I wouldn't attempt it if the paper is smooth. You'll probably need a few coats of emulsion!

[Deleted User]

I would do the job properly and strip the wallpaper off. Better finish that way. Especially if you are staying there as if you wallpaper on top of wallpaper eventually your going to have to strip if off and that's another job entirely, peeling off layers of wallpaper!!!

theGrinch

if the plaster under is solid then you can strip it off, but it will need to be stripped off totally, holes filled and sanded.

personally, I would just paint over it.