Atelier LouiseM | Tips and Advice for Hanging Wallpaper on an Already Painted Wall
Before hanging wallpaper on an already painted wall, there's one essential thing to know: no painted wall is ready to receive wallpaper directly.
Even when it looks clean and smooth, paint creates a surface film that can prevent adhesive from bonding properly.
The result: the paper adheres poorly, the seams lift, bubbles appear, or the covering can peel off as it dries.
To avoid these problems, the rule is simple: surface preparation is always necessary, regardless of appearance.
At Atelier LouiseM, we design custom wall décors and artistic wallpapers. The quality of the final result depends as much on the design as on the preparation of the surface ; so here are the steps we recommend before hanging any wallpaper on an already painted wall.
1. Preparing an already painted wall before installation
First, the surface needs to be prepared so it regains enough grip to hold the wallpaper.
Step 1 – Lightly sand the entire surface
A light but even sanding removes:
the shine of satin or lacquered paints;
the thin greasy film that can prevent the adhesive from bonding;
small bumps or roller marks.
The goal isn't to remove the paint completely, but to make the surface matte and slightly porous.
A wall that feels slightly "grippy" to the touch will be better prepared to receive the adhesive.
Step 2 – Fix small imperfections
If the wall has hairline cracks, scratches, holes, or irregularities, fill them with a fine filler after sanding.
Once the filler is dry, lightly smooth the surface with fine sandpaper.
An uneven wall can show shadows, bumps, or creases once the paper is hung. So it's best to correct every imperfection before moving on.
Step 3 – Clean thoroughly
After repairing and smoothing the wall, dust it off dry, then clean the surface with clear water and a suitable product.
This cleaning removes grease, dust, and filler or paint residue that could compromise the adhesive's grip.
Let the wall dry completely before continuing.
Step 4 – Apply an undercoat or bonding primer
This step matters: it stabilizes the surface and evens out how the adhesive is absorbed.
A light-colored undercoat can also prevent the original paint color from showing through certain coverings.
You end up with a more uniform surface and better long-term adhesion of the wallpaper.
FROM WALL TO ARTWORK — At Atelier LouiseM, wallpaper isn't just seen as a wall covering: it can become a true creation designed for the space. Dimensions, colors, composition, and artistic universe can all be customized to create a unique décor suited to the architecture and atmosphere of the location.
2. How to hang wallpaper on an already painted wall
Once your wall is perfectly prepared, you can move on to installation.
Before starting, always check the specific recommendations from the wallpaper and adhesive manufacturers.
In general:
Make sure your wall is perfectly clean, dry, and even.
Prepare an adhesive suited to the type of wallpaper chosen.
Draw a vertical guideline so the first strip goes on perfectly straight.
Apply the adhesive following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Carefully position the first strip.
Smooth it out gradually to release air and avoid bubbles.
Continue hanging, paying attention to how the strips align.
Gently remove any excess adhesive.
For a panoramic wallpaper or a design created specifically for a wall, precise positioning of each strip is especially important to preserve the continuity of the pattern.
3. Choosing the right wallpaper for your type of wall
The choice of wallpaper depends on the surface, its condition, and the look you want.
On a properly prepared, already painted wall, non-woven (intissé) wallpaper is generally a particularly well-suited solution.
Why choose non-woven wallpaper for a painted wall?
Made of fibers and cellulose depending on the type, non-woven wallpaper offers several advantages:
it's relatively easy to handle;
it offers good dimensional stability;
it can help visually soften small irregularities;
it's generally easier to install than some traditional wallpapers;
it's particularly well suited to panoramic décors and large-scale wall creations.
That said, the quality of the result always depends on how well the surface was prepared. Even good-quality wallpaper won't compensate for an unstable, damp, or insufficiently prepared wall.
At Atelier LouiseM, the choice of surface is considered based on the location, its use, and the desired result. The décor and its surface are designed together so the artistic creation can naturally fit the constraints of the project.
4. What if you turned your wall into a custom creation?
Once the technical question of installation is settled, another question remains: what will you actually put on your wall?
Standard wallpaper lets you decorate a space using a predefined pattern and dimensions.
Custom wallpaper lets you go further.
At Atelier LouiseM, we don't simply start from a roll — we start from your wall.
Its dimensions, its architecture, the colors of your interior, the furniture around it, and the atmosphere you want to create become the starting point of the project.
An existing design can be adapted to your space: proportions, framing, dimensions, or colors can all be adjusted so the décor fits naturally into place.
And for a fully personalized project, an original creation can be imagined specifically for your home or professional space, drawing on your world, your inspirations, or the story you want to tell.
The result is no longer simply wallpaper hung on a wall: the wall becomes a creation in its own right, designed together with the space.
Atelier LouiseM designs custom wall décors this way for private individuals, hotels, businesses, and interior architecture projects.
5. When is it better to start from a fresh surface?
Even though hanging wallpaper over a painted wall is entirely possible, some situations call for more extensive preparation:
when the paint is flaking or forming blisters;
when the wall shows signs of moisture or mold;
when several successive layers of paint have created an unstable surface;
when the surface has significant cracks or defects.
In these situations, it may be necessary to remove the unstable areas, rework the surface, and recreate a sound, uniform surface before installation.
It's a longer job, but proper wall preparation remains essential to ensure the wallpaper holds up well over time.
So, can you hang wallpaper on an already painted wall?
Yes, it is entirely possible to hang wallpaper on an already painted wall, provided the surface is properly prepared.
Lightly sanding, fixing imperfections, cleaning the wall, and, when needed, applying an undercoat or bonding primer help create a suitable base for installation.
A few preparation steps can make all the difference between wallpaper that peels off quickly and a clean, lasting result.
And once the wall is ready, wallpaper can become far more than just a covering.
Your wall may deserve more than just wallpaper!
Atelier LouiseM designs custom artistic wall décors, created specifically for the spaces they dress.
Wallpaper, wall décor, or a creation adapted to another surface: every project begins with understanding the location, its dimensions, its architecture, and the desired aesthetic.
Our creations are designed for private individuals wanting to transform their home, as well as for hotels, businesses, and architects looking for a distinctive wall identity.
A pattern can be adapted to your space, or an entirely original piece can be created for your project.
Do you have a wall to transform?
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