So you have some old wallpaper on those walls and your are thinking to yourself can I just put up new peel and stick wallpaper right over the top of it? The notion of scraping, steaming and readying naked walls is exhausting. By the way, most of us would prefer to skip that mess.
The good news? You can put peel and stick wallpaper on top of wallpaper, and it does.” But you do require the right product, a suitable surface and the proper technique. Otherwise, you have bubbles and peeling off the edges, walls that look worse than they did before.
This guide has you covered from checking your old wallpaper to the best picks for brands and how to make your finish look professional so no one will ever know you did it yourself.
Why Would You Put Peel and Stick Wallpaper?
Let’s be honest. Stripping away old wallpaper is one of the most icky home improvement jobs you can do. If the previous owner relied on industrial strength adhesive or put down multiple layers, you could spend an entire weekend and still have some stubborn patches clinging to the drywall.
If you’re renting, the whole situation is a lot harder. Your landlord likely isn’t going to let you take walls down to bare drywall. You certainly don’t want to lose your security deposit because of a lifestyle choice.
All that drama without the drama Peel and stick wallpaper provides you with a clean, crisp look. It’s affordable, you can always take it out and the styles available today are amazing. Think, slick graphic patterns, soft linens that inflect a sense of texture and floral prints bold enough to appear to be expensive.
But here’s the thing. A new layer of wallpaper can’t always sit atop existing papered walls. You should verify a few things before you do that.
How to Tell If Your Existing Wallpaper Layer
Before you order anything, walk up to your wall and run your hand across it. You’re looking for three things:
- Smooth surface — no deep textures, bumps or raised patterns
- Firm attachment — no peeling corners, bubbles or lifted seams
- Clean condition — no grease stains, water damage or mold spots
If your wallpaper peels or bubbles anywhere, stop right there. Your new layer will only hold as strong as the surface underneath it. A weak base means your fresh wallpaper will fail within weeks.
Vinyl-coated wallpapers make an excellent base. They create a sealed, even surface and peel and stick adhesive grips onto them easily.
Heavily textured wallpapers like grasscloth or embossed patterns tell a different story. Deep textures create air gaps that weaken the adhesive bond, and that always leads to failure.
The Best Peel and Stick Wallpaper Brands for Applying Over Wallpaper
Not all peel and stick wallpapers perform the same way, especially when you apply them over an existing layer. Adhesive quality matters more than anything else here.
| Brand: | Adhesive Strength: | Works on Smooth Wallpaper: | Works on Textured Wallpaper: | Repositionable: | Price Range per Roll: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempaper | Strong | Yes | Limited | Yes | $30 to $60 |
| NuWallpaper (WallPops) | Moderate to Strong | Yes | No | Yes | $25 to $45 |
| RoomMates | Moderate | Yes | No | Yes | $20 to $40 |
| Chasing Paper | Strong | Yes | Limited | Yes | $40 to $70 |
| Spoonflower | Moderate | Yes | No | Yes | $35 to $55 |
| Walls Need Love | Strong | Yes | Limited | Yes | $45 to $75 |
Surface Preparation The Step Most People Skip & Regret
This part trips up most DIY projects. People get excited, rip open the packaging and start sticking wallpaper to a dirty wall art. Don’t make that mistake.
Even if your existing wallpaper looks clean, it probably carries dust, grease or residue from years of everyday life. Here’s what you need to do:
- Clean the surface — Wipe the entire wall with a damp cloth and mild dish soap, then rinse and let it dry completely
- Fix loose spots — Press down any lifted edges or small tears with wallpaper seam adhesive or white glue
- Sand it smooth — Once your repairs dry, lightly sand them with 220-grit sandpaper until they feel flat
- Scuff glossy surfaces — If your old wallpaper has a shiny or vinyl finish, give the whole surface a quick light sanding to help the new adhesive grip better
You want a surface that feels uniformly flat and completely dry when you touch it. Skip this step and you’ll find yourself peeling everything off again within a month.
How to Get It Right the First Time
You’ve prepped your surface, you’ve chosen your wallpaper and you’re ready to transform the room. Here’s how you nail the application.
Measure Twice and Cut Once:
Measure your wall height and add about two extra inches at the top and bottom for trimming. Don’t cut all your strips at once because walls aren’t always perfectly uniform. Measure and cut each strip individually as you go along.
Start From a Straight Line:
Never trust your walls to run perfectly straight. Grab a level and pencil, then draw a faint vertical guideline about half an inch from where your first strip’s edge will land. This keeps everything plumb right from the start.
Peel Gradually and Not All at Once:
This tip separates beginners from people who’ve done it before. Here’s the right way to do it:
- Peel only about 12 inches of backing from the top
- Line it up with the ceiling and your vertical guide
- Press it firmly into place with both hands
- Slowly peel more backing as you smooth downward with a squeegee or dry cloth
- Work from the center to the edges to push air bubbles out toward the sides
Overlap and Trim the Seams:
When you apply the second strip, overlap the first strip’s edge by about a quarter inch. Then take a sharp utility knife and a straightedge and cut through both layers at once. Peel away the excess from both strips and you’ll get a perfectly invisible seam.
One important reminder here. Replace your blade often. A dull blade tears wallpaper instead of cutting it cleanly, and that ruins the whole look.
Will Peel and Stick Wallpaper Damage the Old Wallpaper?
This concern comes up a lot, especially from renters. The short answer it depends on what you’ve got underneath.
If your existing wallpaper has a vinyl coating or sealed surface, peel and stick usually comes off clean. The adhesive bonds to that surface coating rather than soaking into the paper fibers.
But if the old wallpaper underneath has no coating and it’s just plain paper, you face a real risk. The adhesive could bond too aggressively and tear the old layer when you try to remove it later.
Here’s what I’d recommend before you commit to the whole wall:
- Test a small area somewhere nobody notices
- Leave it alone for 48 hours
- Carefully peel it off and check for any damage
If the old wallpaper tears or lifts with it, this approach won’t work without risking your wall.
Best Rooms for Peel and Stick Wallpaper Over Wallpaper
Not every room works equally well for this project. You want rooms with stable temperature and low humidity:
- Bedrooms — Ideal spot with stable temperature and low moisture
- Living rooms — Great choice with consistent conditions year-round
- Home offices — Perfect for an accent wall refresh
- Dining rooms — Works beautifully, especially with bold patterns
Kitchens can work if you keep your wallpaper away from the stove and sink where grease and steam build up.
Bathroom generally don’t work well for this. Constant steam cycles break down even the strongest peel and stick adhesive over time, unless you run a very good exhaust fan.
FAQs
Can you put peel and stick wallpaper directly over textured wallpaper?
You can try, but the results usually disappoint. The adhesive can’t make full contact with a bumpy surface, and that leads to bubbling and peeling. If you have very mild texture, a strong-adhesive brand might hold up. For anything more pronounced, you’re better off sanding the texture down or removing the old wallpaper entirely.
Does peel and stick wallpaper stick well to vinyl wallpaper?
Yes, and vinyl wallpaper actually makes one of the best surfaces for this. The smooth, sealed finish gives the adhesive consistent contact and stops it from soaking into the material. Just make sure you clean it well before you start.
Can I apply two layers of peel and stick wallpaper on top of each other?
You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Each extra layer adds weight and increases the chance of everything pulling away from the wall. If you already have peel and stick over existing wallpaper, adding a third layer pushes your luck too far. Remove the top layer first and start fresh.
What if my peel and stick wallpaper starts peeling after a few days?
Check the edges first because that’s almost always where failure starts. Clean the area, let it dry and press it back down firmly. If the problem keeps happening across the whole sheet, your base surface probably has an issue. It might have too much dust, too much gloss or it might not hold firmly enough to support the new layer.
Does peel and stick wallpaper work in rental apartments?
In most cases, absolutely. Manufacturers design peel and stick to come off without damaging walls. But when you apply it over old wallpaper, you add some unpredictability to the mix. Always test a small section first and check your lease for any rules about wall modifications.
Do I need primer before applying peel and stick wallpaper over old wallpaper?
Usually you don’t, as long as your surface stays clean and smooth. But if the adhesive doesn’t grip well during your test run, a light coat of wallpaper primer can make a big difference. Just let the primer dry completely before you apply the new wallpaper on top.
Final Thought
Using peel and stick wallpaper over original wallpaper can be a dream if you do it right. Scrub your walls clean, choose a quality product, always test a spot first and be very patient when applying. Do all four of those things and you will have a room that feels professionally decorated. No steamer, no scraper and no wasted weekends. You deserve a fresh space and this technique will get you there without the fuss.
