People do sometimes paint over wallpaper to save time and effort on removing it, but we would not recommend it for the following reasons:
The exception to this is our paintable wallpapers, which are designed to be painted in your favourite colour.
Ultimately the best wallpaper is the one that makes you happy when you see it. But if you are looking for wallpaper for kitchens, bathrooms or high traffic areas, it is best to choose a scrubbable or Easy Premium paper. These papers come with a vinyl layer that makes them easier to install and more resistant to moisture.
If you feel strongly about eco-friendly options, opt for our VOC-free or PVC-free wallpapers. NB. These are not recommended for areas with high moisture content, and we recommend getting an expert to install them.
First make sure that your walls are relatively smooth and completely dry. (Allow at least 2 weeks after painting or plastering before applying wallpaper.)
Next, check the instructions on the wallpaper packaging and follow them carefully. (The majority of wallpapers these days are “paste the wall” papers, but some may require you to “paste the paper”, and pre-pasted papers will only require soaking with water). We also have product specific instruction videos on our site, so you can check these for more info.
It is important to use a plumbline or spirit level to ensure that the paper is straight. You can find handy tools and accessories here.
If you have a patterned paper, you need to make sure that the pattern matches up for each new drop.
If you are nervous about hanging your own wallpaper, we can either recommend an installer or do it for you.
People do sometimes paint over wallpaper to save time and effort on removing it, but we would not recommend it for the following reasons:
The exception to this is our paintable wallpapers, which are designed to be painted in your favourite colour.
Wallpaper can cover wall cracks if the cracks are small and not too deep. Textured wallpaper, in particular, is good for covering small cracks and imperfections in the wall.
If you are using a flat wallpaper, or if the cracks are wide or deep, we would recommend filling and sanding your walls before applying the wallpaper.
Wallpaper can last really well if it is installed properly and not exposed to bright sunlight and excessive moisture.
Paint is more likely to be colourfast in direct sunlight but is likely to need a new coat sooner than your wallpaper will need to be replaced.
Wallpaper opens up a wealth of options to make a room look different and special, which is why it is so popular. However there are some disadvantages to bear in mind:
Wallpaper is not good for damp walls as it is likely to peel, bubble, or grow mould. We recommend treating the cause of the damp and allowing the walls to fully dry out before installing wallpaper on them.
Wallpaper can last many years if it’s good quality, properly applied and kept out of direct sunlight and excessive moisture.
On average, wallpaper can be expected to last 10 to 15 years.
You should not use wallpaper in places where there is a lot of moisture or direct water for example inside showers, above sinks and basins, and next to baths.
While wallpaper can cover over minor cracks and bumps in a wall, it is best applied to smooth surfaces.
The colours in the paper may fade, if exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, so avoid using dark coloured papers in rooms with a lot of direct sunlight.
People are increasingly opting for custom printed wallpaper as a way of expressing their individuality. With modern printers, this is a more affordable option than it used to be.
Rather than covering an entire room in wallpaper, many people are using wallpaper to create a “feature wall” with a bold, bright pattern or luxurious texture.
Wallpaper offers so many ways to make a room special and different, and for this reason, it has come back into fashion.
Technology has helped to improve the quality, variety and durability of wallpaper, making it a great option for decorators.
This really depends on the look you are trying to achieve, and your budget.
If you are using plain, or textured wallpapers, you may choose to cover the whole room in the same paper.
However, people are increasingly opting for a “feature wall” covered in a bold and exciting print. This is a good way to save money, and to create impact without making the room look too busy.
Popular wallpaper designs for the living room include soft florals, elegant patterns, and neutral colours and textures.
In South Africa, stone, marble and brick effect wallpapers are also quite popular.
Check out our recommendations for hallways/lounges and dining rooms here.
Try to opt for wallpaper that is thick, tear-resistant, and easy to clean. Wallpapers with vinyl in them are likely to be easier to install, and less likely to shrink or stretch as the temperature changes.
You should also check the print quality, and make sure that all rolls that you are buying are from the same batch.
The price of wallpaper in South Africa varies significantly depending on where it is manufactured and where you are buying it.
Our wallpapers cost between about R1000 and R2500 per roll, which will usually cover approximately 5 square meters.
Bear in mind that there is a lot of potential waste in a roll of wallpaper, and this can add significantly to the cost. Look for wallpapers with a “straight” or “drop” match rather than something with a large pattern repeat to save on waste.
Wallpaper glue generally likes a slightly rough surface to stick to, so glossy tiles are not ideal.
It is also not advisable to hang wallpaper in an area with a lot of moisture (for example inside a shower or above a basin or sink).
Wallpaper can work on walls with a slight texture to them, particularly if the wallpaper is also textured.
If the walls are bumpy, or have other deeper textures, wallpaper is not recommended. The bumps will show through the paper and could lead to the paper being damaged.
At StickyThings we pride ourselves on our large selection of high quality, imported wallpapers.
We are also able to help with custom made wallpaper designs.
And we are happy to help you find the best wallpaper for your room; calculate how much you need and help you with installation, if needed.
It is best to check the instructions on your wallpaper to see what the manufacturer recommends.
If you are using an installer in South Africa, they will usually supply their own adhesive.
We have the option to purchase the wallpaper glue recommended for your product when you purchase our wallpaper.
If you do a lot of cooking in your kitchen, wallpaper probably isn’t the best option – particularly for the areas close to the food preparation areas. This is because it is not as easily cleaned as other options and could get damaged.
For walls that are not close to food preparation areas, opt for a wallpaper with a vinyl layer as these are more cleanable.
Our retro and geometric wallpapers can be a fun option for your kitchen. Or get inspiration here.
Floral and leafy patterns can work well with green. Use our handy filters in our shop to narrow down your choices.
Alternatively, you could pick out a forest themed mural to create a focal point in the room.
Silver, grey and other shades of blue will work well with blue walls. Geometric patterns and textured wallpapers are also a good option. Use our handy filters in our shop to narrow down your choices.
Or what about a landscape mural to add a vista to your room?
If you are looking for a calm, neutral feel to your room, then choose white, gold, marble or stone effect or grasscloth typed wallpapers. Use our handy filters in our shop to narrow down your choices.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a splash of colour in the room, try out a bold floral, or retro print!
Wallpapers with their own texture will help to cover a textured wall, as long as the texture is only slight.
You can also use lining paper before you install the top wallpaper to help smooth out any blemishes in the wall.
Wallpaper can be installed in bathrooms provided that they are well ventilated. The best wallpaper to use for bathrooms is one with a vinyl coating as this will protect it from moisture damage.
Wallpaper should not be installed inside showers or above sinks and basins and next to baths.
Check here for our bathroom decor ideas.
Big bold floral and geometic retro prints are currently very trendy.
And our classic marble and grasscloth finishes never go out of fashion.
Our manufacturers are constantly watching the trends and bringing out new ranges of wallpaper, so you can be confident of finding an exciting selection of new and classic wallpapers on our site.
People do sometimes paint over wallpaper to save time and effort on removing it, but we would not recommend it for the following reasons:
The exception to this is our paintable wallpapers, which are designed to be painted in your favourite colour.
If you do a lot of cooking in your kitchen, wallpaper probably isn’t the best option – particularly for the areas close to the food preparation areas. This is because it is not as easily cleaned as other options, and could get damaged.
For walls that are not close to food preparation areas, opt for a wallpaper with a vinyl layer as these are more cleanable.
Our retro and geometric wallpapers can be a fun option for your kitchen. Or get inspiration here.
Windows and door frames can be a bit fiddly. We recommend watching this video – it gives some great tips and tricks.
If you have a lot of windows and doors, you may want to consider using an experienced installer. We can recommend someone, or install it for you.
Experienced installers all have their own tips and tricks for dealing with corners. We like this video, which shows one practical and straightforward option.
If you have a lot of corners or complicated edges, you might want to consider using an experienced installer. We can recommend someone, or install it for you.
As with many things, this is a shortcut that can save time, however we don’t recommend it.
Your old wallpaper may not be stuck down properly and may start to peel or tear when you apply the wet glue on top of it. This could end up with your new wallpaper being damaged.
Wallpaper features walls are still very popular as the give you the option of adding a burst of bold colour or texture to a room without it becoming overwhelming. It is also a very cost efficient way of using wallpaper to create a look.
Most modern wallpapers that contain a vinyl coating are easy to remove. Simply dip a roller in water and soak the paper you want to remove. Leave for a minute or two, and you should then be able to pull the strips away from the wall. Soak any remaining pieces again, and use a scraper to get them off.
Older wallpapers can be a little more tricky. You will still soak the paper as above, but if the paper doesn’t come off in strips, you will need to use a scraper to get it off.
