Based on unique projects we've had this year, I think that perhaps the term 'wallpaper' is somewhat limiting.  Recently we've done several ceilings as well as bathrooms on board two boats.  That's in addition to all our regular residential and commercial projects, including a couple of graphic murals for retail stores.  

Why wallpaper on a ceiling?  Frankly wallpaper usually holds up better than paint, plus you get a decorative option that paint just can't provide.  And one thing I like about hanging wallpaper on ceilings is that I don't get paint drips on my face (or in my ear, or all the other places I find it at the end of the day).  Check out this video and see what I mean.  

​Today's modern wall coverings are much more durable than the thin paper people used to use.  But even that stuff held up better than paint.  When I was first starting out hanging wallpaper, I went on a job with the guy who taught me.  The first thing we did was strip the old paper, and underneath it was a pencil scrawl with the date the paper had been hung - nearly 40 years before, and by the same guy!  

Now, I don't expect to find that on any of my jobs, because I got a much later start in wallpaper than Whitey did.  But I also expect that the wallpaper (and vinyl) that we install now could probably outlive me, no matter where it's hung.  

Yes, we're licensed painting contractors, but our real specialties are wallpaper and vinyl wall covering.  Look around - you'll find there are very few companies in Whatcom County that do this.  

I often have homeowners ask about stripping their old wallpaper before I come to install new wallcovering.  I suspect they're trying to save money by doing something that seems easy.  Fair enough. 

If you're planning on stripping your old wallpaper prior to having your room painted or new wallcovering hung, I'd like to warn you ahead of time that wallpaper stripping is not for the faint of heart.  It takes patience, and it's often tedious.  And depending on how the wall was prepped before the old paper was hung, it can also be difficult.  I've periodically run into homes where wallpaper was installed over new drywall without the walls being primed first.  The result?  The top layer of the drywall comes off the with paper.  That means a wall repair before moving on - an additional expense. 

So I've given my warning, but some of you may want to forge ahead anyway.  In that case, I would suggest you check out this video from This Old House on How to Strip Wallpaper.  (If after you've reviewed this you're having second thoughts, I'd like to point out that stripping old paper is going to be the least expensive part of wallpaper hanger's bid.  You may want to get an estimate to see what it's going to cost to have a pro do it, and then evaluate whether the hassle is really worth it for you.)