Plan the rest of the room with our interior painting guide.
Begin with the condition, not the colour
Look across the walls in daylight and from the side. Check seams, corners, the area near windows and any places that have been repaired. Note whether the paper is firmly attached, lifting, bubbling, stained or already painted.
A smooth, well-adhered paper presents a different starting point from a wall with repeated repairs. Photograph the areas that concern you and include them in your enquiry. Our wall preparation guide helps you make a useful condition record.
A quick suitability check
| What you see | What to discuss |
|---|---|
| Firm, sound paper | Whether its surface suits the proposed primer and paint system. |
| Lifting seams or bubbles | The extent of adhesion failure and whether retaining the paper is sensible. |
| Damp or recurring stains | The underlying cause before decorating. |
| Raised texture | Whether you are happy for that texture to remain visible. |
| Old painted paper | The condition and compatibility of the existing coating as well as the paper. |
Painting is a finishing decision, not a repair for an unsound base. If the paper is failing, we can discuss the preparation your interior repaint needs after looking at it.
Wallpaper type changes the preparation
Paper, vinyl surfaces and metallic patterns can need different preparation or sealing. Some surfaces can affect how the finish adheres or dries. The right approach depends on the actual material, not simply whether the wallpaper looks clean.
Keep any product information you have and tell us if the paper has been painted before. Where needed, a test area helps assess the proposed system before the whole wall is committed. Compatibility issues may take time to show, so assessment should follow the coating manufacturer’s guidance.
Decide what finish you want to see
A change of colour can transform a room while leaving the paper’s texture and joins visible. If your goal is a very smooth wall, say so early. That expectation may change the preparation scope rather than just the choice of paint.
Light and sheen also affect what you see. Use the paint finish guide to compare reflection and surface appearance, then consider a sample in the room itself.
Painting paper can make future removal more involved. Weigh the appearance you want now against your longer-term plans for the room.
What to send with your room brief
- Photos of the whole wall, seams and any damaged areas.
- Whether the wallpaper is smooth, textured, vinyl or already painted, if known.
- Any history of damp, leaks or staining.
- The finish you want: retained texture or a smoother result.
- Which walls, ceilings, doors and trim you want included.
The interior quote worksheet helps you keep surface preparation separate from other room inclusions. For a bathroom or laundry, flag the moisture exposure as part of the assessment.
Our Wellington interior painting service starts with the actual surfaces, so the preparation and finish are agreed together.
Your questions
Will paint hide the wallpaper seams?
Paint follows the surface beneath it. Visible or raised seams need to be assessed during preparation, and some texture may remain part of the finished appearance.
Can vinyl wallpaper be painted?
Some vinyl wallpapers can be painted with a suitable preparation and coating system. We assess the surface and follow product-specific guidance before recommending the approach.
Let’s look at the walls before choosing the finish.
Send us photos of your wallpaper and tell us the result you want. We’ll discuss the preparation as part of your interior repaint scope.
Discuss your wallpapered room