Can You Put Wallpaper Over Wood Panelling

Wallpaper

Want a change with the wood panelling in your home? You can freshen up the look without getting them removed. How? This is where wallpapers come in. Wallpapers can upgrade your space by making it fashionable.

Many people doubt if it's actually possible to put wallpaper over wood panels. Here’s your answer: yes. You can do wallpapering over them with the right steps. This means you must ensure the wallpaper sticks. You’d want to avoid punching holes in the paper.

In this guide, we’ll discuss whether you can put wallpaper over wood panelling. A little prep is what you really need for this process. Let’s dive in!

What Are The Trends Related To Wallpapering Over Wood Panels?

Wall Covering / Wallpaper Market Size & Growth

The global wall covering market can keep growing. By 2031, it could reach US$239.7 billion. A CAGR of around 4.7% is expected here. Source: Allied Market Research

Mordor Intelligence reports the wall covering market in 2025. It has been reported to be about US$41.4 billion. Through 2030, CAGR is about 4.47%.

The residential wallpaper market is also growing. IMARC Group expects the global market to grow by 2033. It may reach US$3.1 B by 2033. In 2024, the market was at about US$2.3 B.

What You Need to Prepare Wood Panelling for Wallpaper?

Wood filler or Spackle

Use only high-quality wood filler to fill in your wood paneling. These will be used in:

Grooves
Dents
Imperfections

This creates a smooth surface for the wallpaper. This is important for the older homes in Dubai.

Medium and fine grit sandpaper

Sanding is for the glossy finishes of the panelling. Sometimes, rough spots can also prevent the wallpaper from sticking. A well-sanded area is good for wallpaper.

High-quality primer or sealer

Applying a primer is a must with wood panelling. This helps prevent bubbling with wallpapers. Without primer, wallpaper can peel off. You can also use a moisture-resistant primer.

Cleaning solution and microfiber cloths

Wallpaper adhesion can be affected by these:

Dust
Grease
Dirt

Clean the panelling nicely to make sure they bond nicely.

How to Apply Wallpaper on Wood Panelling (Step By Step)

Step 1: Measure and Cut

Measuring your panelling is always the first step. Note down the right height and width of the wood panelling. Add an extra 5–10 cm to the top and bottom. This is for trimming, as cutting the wallpaper is important. This reduces wastage, and the wallpaper also looks good.

Step 2: Prime the Paneling

After you’re done with the sanding, do this. Apply a high-quality primer to the panelling now. You could also use a sealer instead. This is important against humidity in Dubai. Now, wait for it to dry before the next step.

Step 3: Mark Guidelines

Draw vertical guidelines on the wall with a level. These lines can help you align the wallpaper straight. You can avoid crooked patterns this way.

Step 4: Apply Adhesive

This is where the interesting step comes. Start applying wallpaper paste to the back of the paper. Or, you could do this directly to the wall. You can use a roller for smooth coverage. And don’t forget to coat the edges too.

Step 5: Hang and Smooth

Start from the top of the wall to hang the wallpaper. Align the edge with your guideline. You can use a smoothening tool as well here. This is used to slowly smooth the wallpaper down.

Step 6: Trim and Finish

You can trim the excess wallpaper with a knife. You can press any seams with a roller as well.

Conclusion

Looking to put a wallpaper over wood panelling? We’ve got you covered. This blog discussed the exact steps for that. Just follow the steps to freshen up your space.