Can I wallpaper over tiles?

Dear Alejandro,
many customers ask me about this, as having to remove existing tiles before wallpapering involves a substantial amount of effort. Let’s get down to the details:

Can you wallpaper over tiles?

In short, the answer to your question is yes, you can apply wallpaper over tiles. However, it is not as simple as wallpapering a plain wall. To get a professional-looking finish you will need to follow a few additional steps:

1. Check the condition of the tiles
   If the tiles are damaged, have cracks, or the grouting is crumbling and mouldy then I am afraid there is only one solution: remove them and start from scratch. If the tiles are in good condition but some are a bit loose, you must fix them before proceeding any further.
2. Fill in the grooves
   Grooves in the surface of your ceramic tile and the grouting between tiles make it difficult for wallpaper to adhere. Fill these gaps with tile adhesive and level them out with a putty knife to smooth out the area so it is level with the rest of the surface. Please note: spattling compound is not suitable for this process.
3. Sand the tiles
   Wallpaper adhesive doesn’t work very well on glossy or uneven surfaces. Once the tile adhesive has dried, you will have to sand down the tiles to prepare a smooth surface for the wallpaper to adhere to.
4. Clean the tiles
   OK, it’s time to remove the sanding dust you created and properly clean the tiles. Use a mild soap and water solution first, then rinse them and allow them to dry completely.
5. Apply a primer
   The last step you need to do before you can start wallpapering is to apply primer to the tiles. You should apply the first coat, wait until it’s dry, then add a second coat. If you want a professional look, consider putting up lining paper with a dispersion adhesive to get rid of any remaining uneven areas.

You are now ready to install your wallpaper of choice, confident that it will look fabulous!

Which wallpaper should I install over tiles?

If you have followed the steps above, you can hang any wallpaper you like over tiles. If the surface in question is in a wet room like a bathroom or kitchen (as these are the rooms most likely to have tiled areas), we recommend opting for a moisture-resistant vinyl-coated wallpaper. Alternatively, if you have chosen a standard paper-based or non-woven model without a vinyl coating, it’s a good idea to apply a paintable wallpaper protection over the entire wall to protect it from humidity.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel