Removing wallpaper can look intimidating, especially if you do not know what is underneath it. In practice, the job becomes much easier once you identify the wallpaper type, protect the room properly and work methodically rather than trying to pull everything off at once.
This guide walks through the process step by step, including how to deal with peelable coverings, traditional wallpaper, vinyl-faced paper and stubborn adhesive. If you are already planning what comes next, you can also explore our peel & stick wallpaper, bedroom wallpaper and floral wallpaper collections once the wall is ready for a new look.
Before you start: identify the wallpaper type
The quickest removal method depends on what is actually on the wall. Start by lifting a lower corner or a loose seam with a scraper or your fingernail.
- Peelable or removable wallpaper: the top layer may come away in large sheets with little or no water.
- Traditional paper wallpaper: the surface normally needs to be softened before scraping.
- Vinyl-faced wallpaper: the waterproof face often needs to be peeled or scored before moisture can reach the backing.
- Multiple layers: older rooms sometimes contain several generations of wallpaper, so the first layer you remove may not be the last.
Testing a small section first prevents unnecessary soaking and gives you a better idea of how much work the rest of the wall will need.
What you will need
You do not need a huge toolkit. For most rooms, gather a wide scraper or stripping knife, a sponge, bucket, warm water, washing-up liquid or a wallpaper-removal solution, dust sheets, masking tape and a bin bag. A scoring tool can help on sealed or vinyl surfaces.
Keep the scraper reasonably flat to the wall rather than digging the edge into the surface. The goal is to lift softened paper, not gouge plaster.
1. Prepare the room properly
Move furniture away from the walls and cover the floor. Wallpaper removal can produce more water, paste residue and scraps than expected, so preparation saves a lot of cleaning afterwards.
Remove loose wall decorations and protect skirting boards. If you need to work around electrical sockets or switches, avoid getting water into fittings. Switch off the relevant electrical circuit before removing faceplates or working closely around them, and use a qualified electrician if you are unsure.
2. Try dry stripping first
Always test whether the wallpaper will peel away dry before adding water. Start at a seam or lower corner and pull the wallpaper slowly back on itself rather than straight towards you.
If a large sheet releases cleanly, continue gradually. Some wallpaper separates into two layers: the decorative face peels away while a paper backing remains on the wall. That backing still needs to be soaked and removed before redecorating.
3. Score sealed wallpaper if necessary
If water beads on the surface instead of soaking in, the paper may have a vinyl or washable face. Lightly perforating the surface allows moisture to reach the adhesive below.
Do not press aggressively. Deep scoring can mark plasterboard or plaster and create extra repair work. A light, even pass is normally enough.
4. Soften the adhesive
Apply warm water or your chosen wallpaper-removal solution with a sponge. Work in manageable sections rather than wetting the whole room at once.
Give the moisture time to penetrate. If you start scraping immediately, you are more likely to tear the wallpaper into tiny pieces. Once the paper darkens or begins to bubble and lift, test an edge with the scraper.
5. Remove the wallpaper in sections
Slide the scraper beneath a loosened edge and lift gently. Pull with one hand while guiding the scraper with the other. Larger pieces are easier to clear away and reduce the amount of residue left behind.
When an area resists, stop and wet it again. Repeated soaking is usually safer for the wall than applying more force.
6. Deal with stubborn areas patiently
Wallpaper often clings more firmly around corners, radiators, old repairs and places where extra paste was used. Treat these areas separately instead of attacking them with a sharp tool.
Re-wet the section, wait a little longer and scrape at a shallow angle. If several layers are present, remove one layer at a time.
7. Remove the leftover wallpaper glue
Once the visible wallpaper is gone, run your hand across the wall. A tacky, shiny or slightly ridged surface usually means adhesive remains.
Do not simply decorate over thick residue. Old paste can create poor adhesion, visible texture or uneven drying beneath the next finish.
For a more detailed method, read our guide to how to remove wallpaper glue without damaging the wall.
8. Wash and inspect the wall
Use clean warm water and a sponge to remove remaining residue. Change the water when it becomes cloudy or sticky. Avoid soaking plasterboard unnecessarily; use only enough moisture to loosen the paste.
When the surface feels clean rather than slippery, allow the wall to dry fully. Drying time varies with the room, wall construction and how much water was used, so judge the wall rather than relying on a fixed number of hours.
9. Repair the surface before the next wallpaper
Once dry, inspect the wall in good light. Fill small dents or scraper marks, sand repairs smooth and remove dust before decorating.
If wallpaper removal exposes dampness, mould, crumbling plaster or another underlying defect, deal with the cause before covering the wall again. New wallpaper should not be used to hide an unresolved moisture problem.
Is a wallpaper steamer necessary?
Not always. Many wallpapers respond well to warm water and patience. A steamer can help with particularly stubborn traditional papers or multiple layers, but too much heat or moisture can affect some wall surfaces.
Start with the least aggressive method and only escalate if necessary.
What is the easiest wallpaper to remove next time?
If easy future removal matters to you, a removable finish may be worth considering. Our peel & stick wallpaper collection is designed for customers who prefer a more flexible way to update a room.
Before committing to a whole wall, ordering a sample is also useful for checking colour, scale and finish in your own light.
What to do after the wallpaper is removed
Once the wall is clean, repaired and fully dry, you are in the best position to choose the next design. Think about how much pattern the room can carry, how the colour changes through the day and whether you want a subtle background or a feature wall.
For bedrooms, start with our bedroom wallpaper. For a stronger decorative look, browse floral wallpaper or explore our green wallpaper collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to remove wallpaper?
Test whether it peels dry first. If it does not, soften the adhesive with warm water or wallpaper remover and scrape gently in small sections. Avoid forcing dry paper from the wall.
Can you remove wallpaper without damaging the wall?
Often, yes, if you use enough time and moisture and keep the scraper at a shallow angle. Wall condition, wallpaper type and previous preparation all affect how easily it comes away.
Should all wallpaper glue be removed?
As much residue as practical should be removed before redecorating. A clean, smooth surface gives the next finish a much better base.
Can I wallpaper immediately after removing old wallpaper?
Wait until the wall has been cleaned, repaired where necessary and allowed to dry completely before applying a new wallcovering.
Ready for the next look? Explore peel & stick wallpaper, botanical wallpaper and our wider wallpaper by style collections.