The Ultimate Guide to Applying Wallpaper on Textured Walls

That bumpy, orange peel, or knockdown texture on your walls is a common feature in many homes. While it's great for hiding imperfections, it can feel like a major roadblock when you dream of transforming your space with a beautiful wallpaper. But here's the good news: you can apply wallpaper to textured walls and achieve a stunning result. It just requires the right knowledge, the right materials, and a little bit of prep work.

Forget the myth that your textured walls are a life sentence to paint-only decor. Let's dive into the ultimate guide to successfully papering your textured surfaces and bringing your design vision to life.

The Big Question: Can It Really Be Done?

Yes, but with a caveat. The success of your project hinges on two factors: the severity of your wall's texture and the type of wallpaper you choose. Slapping a thin, solid-colored paper onto a heavily textured wall will likely lead to disappointment. The texture will show through, air bubbles will become your nemesis, and the seams may struggle to adhere properly.

The key is to either smooth the wall's surface before you begin or choose a wallpaper that is forgiving enough to camouflage the texture underneath.

Step 1: Choose Your Weapon – The Right Wallpaper for Textured Walls

Your choice of wallpaper is the most critical decision you'll make. A smart selection can hide a multitude of sins.

• Thickness is Your Friend: The number one rule for wallpaper for textured walls is to choose a thick, high-quality material. Heavier wallpapers, like embossed vinyl, non-woven, or fabric-backed papers, are less likely to sink into the wall's crevices, creating a smoother visual finish.

• Pattern & Finish Matter: Patterns are brilliant for tricking the eye. Busy prints, intricate florals, and complex geometric designs will draw attention away from any minor bumps underneath. Matte finishes also absorb light and are far more forgiving than glossy or metallic finishes, which can highlight every imperfection.

• Embrace the Trends: Luckily, the trending wallpaper in 2025 is perfectly suited for this challenge. We're seeing a huge move towards:

  • Biophilic Murals: Large-scale, detailed murals of forests, landscapes, and botanical scenes. Their complexity is ideal for hiding texture.

  • Textured Plains: This is a fantastic option where you fight fire with fire! Wallpapers that mimic the look of linen, grasscloth, or raw silk add their own beautiful texture, making any wall texture underneath virtually invisible.

  • Art Deco Revival: Bold, geometric patterns with rich colors are a latest style wallpaper trend that works wonders on imperfect walls.

• Consider a Temporary Solution: For renters or those who love to change their decor often, stick and peel wallpaper is a game-changer. It's the ultimate wallpaper for temporary decor. When choosing this for textured walls, look specifically for brands that market their product for "lightly textured" or "imperfect" surfaces. These versions typically have a stronger, more forgiving adhesive.

• Go Premium: Investing in premium wallpaper from designers often pays dividends. These papers are typically thicker, more durable, and made with superior materials that perform better on less-than-perfect walls.

Step 2: Prep is Not a Suggestion, It's a Requirement

Proper preparation is the difference between a professional-looking job and a DIY disaster.

1. Clean the Wall: Start by thoroughly cleaning your walls with a degreasing cleaner like TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) or a simple solution of soap and water. This removes any dust, grime, or oils that could interfere with adhesion. Let it dry completely.

2. Assess and Smooth (If Necessary):

   • For Light Textures (e.g., orange peel): You might be able to get away with just priming.

   • For Heavy Textures (e.g., knockdown, popcorn): You need to smooth the surface. You have two excellent options:

     • Skim Coating: This is the professional's choice. It involves applying a thin layer of joint compound over the entire wall, scraping it smooth, letting it dry, sanding, and then repeating if necessary. It creates a perfectly flat surface but is messy and time-consuming.

     • Using Wall Liner: A much simpler, less messy alternative. Wall liner is essentially a thick, blank, paintable wallpaper. You apply it to the wall first to cover the texture, creating a smooth new surface for your final wallpaper.

3. Prime, Prime, Prime! This is the most crucial step. Never apply wallpaper directly to a textured or newly skim-coated wall without priming first. Use a high-quality, wallpaper-specific acrylic primer. This does three things:

   • It seals the porous surface of the wall or joint compound.

   • It prevents the wallpaper paste from soaking in too quickly.

   • It creates a perfect surface for the wallpaper to grip onto, ensuring strong adhesion.

Step 3: Application Day

Once your walls are prepped and primed, it's time for the fun part.

1. Get Your Tools: Gather a sharp utility knife, a smoothing tool or plastic squeegee, a level, a measuring tape, and the appropriate adhesive for your paper (unless you're using stick and peel wallpaper).

2. The First Strip is Key: Measure your wall and cut your first strip, leaving a few extra inches at the top and bottom. Use your level to draw a perfectly straight vertical (plumb) line where the edge of your first strip will go. If this first piece is straight, the rest will follow.

3. Smooth It Out: Whether you're using traditional paste or a peel-and-stick product, smooth the wallpaper from the center outwards. This pushes air bubbles towards the edges where they can escape. For stick and peel wallpaper, only remove a small portion of the backing at a time as you work your way down the wall.

4. Mind the Seams: Butt the edges of your wallpaper strips snugly against each other without overlapping. Use a seam roller to gently press the seams down for a secure bond.

The Final Word

Applying wallpaper to textured walls is absolutely achievable. With the right selection—leaning into the forgiving nature of the latest style wallpaper trends—and a commitment to proper preparation, you can cover up that bumpy texture and create a space that is stylish, modern, and uniquely you. Don't let your walls dictate your style; take control and transform your home today!