Wallpapering furniture is an exciting way to transform your space, and if you’ve already read our comprehensive guide, you’re well on your way to mastering the basics. If not, we strongly suggest heading there first as it covers all the essentials: “The ultimate DIY guide to wallpapering furniture: a step-by-step guide for beginners”.
Over the last two decades, we’ve answered thousands of questions, helped countless DIY enthusiasts transform their homes and seen just about every creative idea you can imagine. Along the way, we’ve gathered some nuggets of wisdom, a few tips and insights about avoiding the common pitfalls when wallpapering furniture, that we want to share with you. Whether you’re here to tackle your very first piece or you’re a seasoned pro looking to refine your technique, we hope there is something here that you will find helpful.
DON’T apply wallpaper to unstable or damaged furniture
A wobbly table leg, cracked drawer, or peeling veneer might seem like small issues you can work around, but they can be signs of structural problems that will only get worse over time. Remember: wallpaper can’t fix a piece of furniture that’s falling apart. In fact, it often highlights flaws, as loose components may cause creases, air bubbles, or misalignments in the wallpaper.
Inspect your furniture carefully before starting, tightening screws, glueing loose joints, and sanding down any splinters or cracks. If the piece is beyond repair, it’s better to move on to a sturdier option rather than wasting time and resources.
DON’T ignore scale and proportion
The scale of your wallpaper pattern should match the size of the furniture piece. Oversized patterns on a small chair or side table can feel disproportionate, while tiny, intricate designs might get lost on a large cabinet or bookshelf. For a cohesive look, repeat smaller patterns on accents like drawer fronts or table legs, while using larger patterns on the main surfaces.
DON’T rely solely on adhesive
Edges, corners, and frequently touched surfaces are the first areas where wallpaper tends to lift, especially on furniture that gets a lot of daily use. This is even more true for carved or uneven surfaces, which are challenging enough without skipping the extra steps needed for reinforcement. Don’t forget to use additional adhesive for areas prone to heavy use, apply an extra thin layer of wallpaper adhesive along the edges and corners for added security. After reinforcing the edges, and if the wallpaper material you are using allows it (i.e. not vinyl coated surfaces) use a clear sealant to protect these vulnerable areas from moisture and physical wear.
DON’T neglect proper ventilation during application
Adhesives and sealants can pack quite a punch, not just for your project, but for your well-being too! Besides the unpleasant smells, with prolonged exposure those fumes can even be harmful, and poor ventilation doesn’t just leave you lightheaded, it also slows drying times and messes with adhesion. Try to work on your project in a well-ventilated space, like an open room, by an open window or, if the season allows, even outdoors!
DON’T forget to account for wallpaper shrinkage
Certain wallpaper models can shrink slightly as they dry, especially traditional varieties that require wallpapering paste. Ignoring this factor can leave visible gaps at the edges, ruining the seamless look of your project and making the furniture appear unfinished. Allow wallpaper to rest and expand fully after cutting but before applying adhesive. Always leave a slight overlap at seams and edges to account for any shrinkage during drying.
DON’T overcomplicate the design
While it’s tempting to go all-out with bold patterns, overcomplicating your design can sometimes create a cluttered look that detracts from the general look of the room. Striking the right balance between creativity and simplicity ensures that your furniture complements your décor without overwhelming it. Wallpaper with overly detailed designs can dominate a piece of furniture, especially if it’s already in a room filled with patterns or bold colours.
Remember: Furniture is meant to enhance your space, not compete with it. If your space already features vibrant colours or complex designs, opt for more subdued wallpaper models with subtle textures or muted tones. Use bold patterns sparingly, reserving them for accent pieces like a coffee table or a single bookshelf.
DON’T underestimate the role of lighting
Lighting is often an overlooked factor when wallpapering furniture, yet it has the power to make or break the final result. Whether it is natural sunlight streaming through a window or the glow of a nearby lamp, the way light interacts with your wallpaper can completely change how your furniture looks:
- Avoid dark wallpaper in dimly lit areas
In poorly lit areas, dark wallpapers tend to absorb light rather than reflect it, which can make wallpapered furniture feel heavy or oppressive. For dim spaces, opt for lighter, reflective wallpapers with subtle patterns. Metallic finishes can also catch whatever light is available and give the piece a sense of brightness. - Avoid overdoing glossy finishes in bright spaces
On the flip side, overly shiny wallpapers near windows or under direct overhead lights often creates excessive glare that could feel visually overwhelming. In brightly lit areas, a better solution are matte or satin-finish models that diffuse light more gently. - Don’t ignore the impact of artificial lighting
It doesn’t matter if warm-toned or cool, artificial lighting can profoundly alter how your wallpaper appears. Try to match your wallpaper choice to the dominant lighting in the room and avoid placing furniture in harsh spotlights as it tends to exaggerate imperfections like seams, creases, or uneven adhesion.
Now that we’ve covered what not to do, let’s focus on what you should do. Because let’s be honest, wallpapering furniture isn’t just about avoiding mistakes, it’s about embracing creativity and having a little fun along the way!
DO experiment with unexpected areas
While drawer fronts, tabletops, and backs of bookshelves are the most common places to wallpaper, some of the most striking transformations come from areas that are often overlooked. Consider, for example, the underside of a shelf or the inside of a cabinet door. These “hidden” spaces are perfect for adding a pop of colour or pattern that isn’t always visible but still leaves a lasting impression.
The back of a chair is another underused opportunity, as it adds a decorative element that draws the eye, subtly tying the furniture into the overall décor of the room. If you feel even more adventurous, think about smaller areas, like the sides of drawers or the edges of a table.
Remember: Creating a little design secret can make a piece of furniture feel special and personal.
DO combine functionality with style
Some wallpapered areas can also serve practical purposes. Why not use a chalkboard wallpaper inside cabinet doors for grocery lists, reminders, or even some doodles? The Tinta Lousa wallpaper allows you to write on it with chalks or chalks markers, and all you need to wipe it clean is a damp cloth. Likewise, in a children’s room you could also use it to wallpaper the back of a door, or the front panels of a toy box to create a space for endless doodling and games.
For those working from home, this chalkboard wallpaper could also be deployed to the top or inside of a desk for a built-in notepad that’s always ready for brainstorming, sketching ideas, or jotting down quick reminders.
DO think beyond flat surfaces
While wallpapering flat furniture surfaces is the obvious starting point, sometimes the most transformative projects are all about embracing the curves and carvings of a piece. Yes, these features are more challenging to tackle, but from a design perspective, they’re also where the real rewards are. Curves soften bold patterns and give furniture an organic, flowing look.
A rounded side table with a swirling floral design that seems to wrap around it creates a sense of movement and elegance that a flat surface just can’t replicate. A textured wallpaper placed within a carved design can create a beautiful contrast, highlighting details that might have gone unnoticed. If you’re intrigued but feeling unsure where to start, don’t worry, the section “Navigating challenging furniture features: curves, carvings, and veneers” in our comprehensive guide covers the practical steps and techniques you’ll need to deal with these challenges.
DO use wallpaper scraps for accents
Don’t throw those leftover wallpaper scraps away! With a little imagination, they can elevate your design while ensuring nothing goes to waste. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to use them is to line the insides of drawers, cabinets, or shelves, adding some unexpected colour whilst also protecting the interior surfaces from wear and tear. You could also use them for furniture accessories, covering the tops of knobs or the front of drawers, giving them a coordinated appearance. For an even more creative approach, you could wallpaper furniture legs with these scraps, creating subtle accents that can tie the piece together.
Remember: Roll up leftover wallpaper neatly and secure it with elastic bands. Label each roll with the pattern name and where it was used (e.g., “coffee table drawers”) so you can easily reference it later.
DO personalise your wallpapered furniture with mixed media
Wallpapered furniture can work beautifully with other materials like decals or metallic foils, adding an extra layer of detail without the need for advanced artistic skills. For example, adding butterfly decals to a floral wallpaper can give the piece a dynamic, whimsical touch. Metallic foils can add a luxurious, high-end feel, creating a striking focal point. You can use adhesive foil sheets and apply cutouts sparingly in areas you want to draw attention to, like the edges of a tabletop or the borders of cabinet doors. For a more subtle effect, just highlight specific elements of the wallpaper design, such as leaves, geometric shapes, or abstract details. Remember to wait until the wallpaper is fully dried to place these add-ons.
DO document and plan for future projects
Taking the time to document and plan your DIY project helps you reflect on what you’ve accomplished but also helps you to better plan for your next endeavour. Try to take photos of your furniture before you begin, highlighting any unique features or problem areas, and then again once the project is complete.
Consider using them in a DIY journal where you can jot down the tools you used, the techniques that worked best, and the type of wallpaper and adhesive you used. It’s also a good idea to include notes about any challenges you faced, how you resolved them, and what you’d do differently next time.
