How To Wallpaper Textured Walls
Applying wallpaper to a textured wall can be a bit of a challenge, often resulting in a finish that’s less than perfect. Textures can show through your wallpaper, creating lumps and bumps that take away from the overall look. That’s why we always recommend smoothing your walls beforehand. A properly prepped surface not only helps your wallpaper adhere more effectively, but it also ensures a clean and polished result.

Choosing the right wallpaper for textured walls
When wallpapering over textured surfaces, choosing the right type of wallpaper is key. A wallpaper that’s designed to mask imperfections and grip uneven surfaces will give you a much better outcome than one that’s thin or delicate. The type of texture on your wall plays a major role in how the wallpaper will adhere and how smooth the finish will be.
If your wall has partially removed wallpaper or leftover adhesive, it can lead to an uneven surface that causes bumps and peeling under your new wallpaper. For the smoothest finish possible, make sure to fully strip any old wallpaper and clean off all traces of wallpaper glue.
Some textures are trickier than others and might require more prep work to get the best results, so read on to discover common textured wall types and how they impact wallpapering.
Popcorn
Popcorn-textured walls are one of the most difficult surfaces to wallpaper. The rough surface can tear wallpaper during application and make ongoing maintenance tricky. If possible, it’s best to remove the popcorn texture entirely for a smooth and wallpaper-ready surface.
Knockdown
Knockdown texture features flattened peaks and valleys, making it a little easier to work with than popcorn but still far from ideal. Wallpaper may stick, but raised areas can distort the design. Lightly sanding and priming the wall can help you achieve a smoother application.
Orange peel
Orange peel texture has a subtle, dimpled surface, similar to the skin of an orange. While wallpaper can usually stick to it, the texture may still show through slightly. To get a more flawless result, we recommend lightly sanding the wall and applying a primer before wallpapering.
Rough cement or plaster
Highly uneven textures like rough cement or plaster are not suited for direct wallpapering. These surfaces require more extensive prep, usually a skim coat or application of joint compound, to create a smoother base that wallpaper can properly adhere to.

How to prepare a textured wall for wallpaper (if smoothing isn’t an option)
If fully smoothing your wall isn’t feasible, there are still steps you can take to prep a textured wall for wallpapering:
1. Clean the surface
Dust, dirt, and grease can all interfere with how well wallpaper adheres. Clean the wall thoroughly using a mild detergent, and let it dry completely before moving on.
2. Fill holes and cracks
Check the wall for imperfections. Use filler to patch up holes and cracks, then sand the surface smooth to reduce visible unevenness under the wallpaper.
3. Sand the texture
For lightly to moderately textured walls like orange peel or knockdown, sanding can help level out high points and reduce the impact of the texture.
4. Prime the wall
A primer designed for textured walls helps wallpaper stick better and can prevent the texture from bleeding through. It also creates a smoother, more consistent base for your wallpaper design

With the right prep and materials, wallpapering over textured walls can be done successfully and beautifully.
For more wallpaper tips and inspiration, explore our full measurement and installation guides.