Can You Wallpaper Over Textured Walls? Here's What to Know

It is one of the most common wallpaper questions: can you apply wallpaper directly over textured walls? The short answer is "it depends on the texture." Some textures are mild enough that wallpaper adheres well and looks fine. Others are too aggressive and will telegraph through the wallpaper, cause adhesion failures, or create an uneven finished surface.

This guide covers the most common wall textures found in Calgary homes, explains when wallpaper works over them and when it does not, and walks through the preparation methods that give you the best results.

Understanding Wall Texture Types

Orange Peel

Orange peel is the most common wall texture in Calgary homes built after the 1980s. It has a subtle, bumpy surface that resembles the skin of an orange — small, rounded bumps with no sharp edges.

Can you wallpaper over it? Yes, in most cases. Light orange peel texture is mild enough that thick, non-woven wallpapers and heavy vinyl wallpapers will bridge the bumps and look acceptable. Thin paper-backed wallpapers and peel-and-stick may show the texture through more noticeably.

Knockdown

Knockdown texture features flattened splatter patterns that create an irregular, slightly raised surface. It is more pronounced than orange peel but still relatively low-profile.

Can you wallpaper over it? Sometimes. Light knockdown can work with thick wallpapers, but heavy knockdown with prominent ridges will show through and can prevent proper adhesion. The raised edges of the knockdown pattern create air pockets where the wallpaper cannot make full contact with the wall.

Skip Trowel

Skip trowel creates a hand-applied, Mediterranean-style texture with visible trowel marks. The depth of the texture varies but is typically more pronounced than knockdown.

Can you wallpaper over it? Not recommended. The deep ridges and valleys of skip trowel will telegraph through virtually any wallpaper and prevent consistent adhesion. You will need to smooth the walls first.

Popcorn (Ceiling Texture)

Popcorn or "cottage cheese" texture is most commonly found on ceilings but occasionally appears on walls in older homes. It has a rough, heavily bumped surface.

Can you wallpaper over it? No. The texture is far too aggressive for any wallpaper to adhere properly. Popcorn texture must be removed or covered with a skim coat before applying wallpaper.

Sand Texture (Sand Swirl)

Sand texture involves a fine grit mixed into the paint or applied separately, creating a sandpaper-like surface. Sand swirl adds a circular pattern to this gritty base.

Can you wallpaper over it? Light sand texture is usually fine with thick wallpapers. Heavy sand swirl with visible ridges should be skim-coated first.

The Key Factors

Whether wallpaper will work over your specific texture depends on three things:

1. Texture depth. The deeper and more pronounced the texture, the more likely it will show through the wallpaper and cause adhesion problems. As a rule of thumb: if you can run your hand across the wall and feel distinct peaks and valleys, the texture is probably too deep for wallpaper without preparation.
2. Wallpaper thickness. Thick, non-woven wallpapers and heavy vinyls are the most forgiving over mild texture. Thin paper-backed wallpapers, foils, and most peel-and-stick products will show even mild texture.
3. Pattern choice. Busy, multi-colored patterns hide subtle texture show-through better than solid colors or light, monochromatic designs. If you must wallpaper over mild texture without smoothing, choose a pattern with visual complexity.

Preparation Methods

If your texture is too pronounced for direct wallpaper application, you have several options to smooth the surface:

Method 1: Skim Coating

Skim coating is the gold standard for preparing textured walls for wallpaper. It involves applying a thin layer of joint compound (drywall mud) over the entire wall surface to fill in the texture and create a smooth, flat surface.

1. Apply a thin coat of all-purpose or lightweight joint compound with a 12-inch drywall knife. The goal is to fill the valleys of the texture, not to build up thickness.
2. Let it dry completely (typically 24 hours depending on humidity and temperature).
3. Sand lightly with 150-grit sandpaper or a sanding screen to remove ridges and high spots.
4. Apply a second thin coat if needed. Most textures require two coats for a truly smooth surface.
5. Sand again after the second coat dries.
6. Prime with a wallpaper-specific primer (Zinsser Gardz is excellent for this purpose) before hanging wallpaper.

Time estimate: 2-3 days for an average room (including drying time between coats).

Method 2: Lining Paper

Lining paper (also called liner paper) is a plain, unpatterned wallpaper that you hang first to create a smooth base for your decorative wallpaper. It bridges minor texture and provides a consistent surface for adhesion.

• Hang lining paper horizontally (cross-lining) so that its seams do not align with the seams of the decorative wallpaper you will apply on top.
• Use a medium-weight lining paper (1000 grade or higher) for textured walls.
• Let the lining paper dry fully (24 hours) before applying decorative wallpaper over it.

Best for: Mild to moderate texture. Lining paper will not bridge very deep textures like skip trowel or popcorn — those still need skim coating.

Method 3: Sanding Down the Peaks

For mild textures like light orange peel, sanding the peaks of the texture with 120-grit sandpaper can reduce the texture enough for wallpaper to work. This is the fastest and easiest method but only works for subtle textures.

• Use a pole sander for efficiency on large wall areas.
• Wear a dust mask — drywall dust is significant.
• After sanding, wipe the wall with a damp cloth to remove all dust, then prime before wallpapering.

Calgary-Specific Considerations

Calgary's dry climate affects wall preparation in a few ways:

• Fast drying times. Joint compound and primer dry faster in Calgary's low humidity, which speeds up skim coat projects. In summer, a coat of mud can be dry in 8-12 hours rather than the 24 hours recommended in humid climates.
• Dust management. Calgary's already-dry air means drywall dust from sanding lingers longer. Use a shop vacuum with a fine-particle filter and seal off the work area with plastic sheeting.
• Wallpaper adhesion. Low humidity can cause paste to dry faster than expected. When wallpapering over a freshly skim-coated wall, work in smaller sections and apply paste generously to ensure adequate working time.

The Best Wallpaper for Textured Walls

If you have lightly textured walls and want to skip extensive prep, choose wallpaper that is most forgiving:

• Thick non-woven wallpaper — The thicker backing bridges minor bumps and provides consistent adhesion.
• Heavy vinyl — Durable and thick enough to mask light texture.
• Embossed or textured wallpaper — A wallpaper that has its own texture will hide wall texture beneath it.
• Avoid: Foils, metallics with smooth finishes, thin papers, and most peel-and-stick wallpapers on textured surfaces (they need smooth walls for proper adhesion).

If your wall needs skim coating, sanding, or a lining paper base, treat that as part of the installation plan, not an afterthought. Wall Style Innovations - Window Film & Wallpaper handles Calgary wall preparation and wallpaper installation when the texture is too risky for a direct DIY install.

Use our wallpaper calculator to determine how much wallpaper you need, and visit the project support to preview patterns before committing.