Can you wallpaper over old wallpaper?

Old wallpaper does not always have to be removed before applying new wallpaper. However, in most situations it is best to simply remove the old wallpaper before applying new wall covering because old wallpaper can have tears or wrinkles, which can impact the overall look of new wallpaper.

Another reason to remove old wallpaper instead of covering it up with new paper is because the old wallpaper can hide issues such as mold or mildew. According to Lowe's, plastic, vinyl and foil wallpaper must be removed before applying new wallpaper because the new paper cannot properly adhere to those surfaces.