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Wallpaper - When in Doubt, Tear it Out!

By Angel Walker

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners

August 21, 2007 08:56 AM

I don't have anything against wallpaper. It goes in and out of fashion. That being said, when was the last time you walked into Home Depot or your local paint store and only saw one wallpaper book with only one pattern in it?

Wallpaper is highly personal. The odds of two different families wanting the same exact wallpaper in the same exact room are extremely small. OK, OK, some wallpaper is neutral enough that it can remain without bothering most people. This post is not about that kind of wallpaper.

Who would volunteer to spend their weekends or take vacation to strip wallpaper? Not many. Some buyers like a house enough that they are willing to live with wallpaper they aren't crazy about. I hear this all the time: "This wallpaper came with the house. I don't really like it, but I didn't want to take on the task of taking it down".

I am going to devote several posts to showing what a difference removing wallpaper can make. If you are selling a house, and you have wallpaper, don't offer an allowance, bite the bullet and take it down! Then it is no longer an issue for a buyer. If you don't want to do it, why would a buyer?

MasterBathBefore

MasterBathAfter

MasterTubBefore

MasterTubAfter

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Bevin Googer

First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC

www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Great after photos. I recently gave a quote to a homeowner which included removing wallpaper (that was already peeling off) and staging, and he didn't want to spend the money. So I suggested at a minimum just removing the wallpaper! But, still no...oh well! It makes all the difference though!

Aug 21, 2007 02:09 PM

Kathy Alexander

GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA

Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

It really is hard to get a client to agree to removing wallpaper, but I have never had them wish it was back up once it was gone. They are always thrilled and glad they did it in the end. Great photos!

Aug 21, 2007 04:56 PM

Charlene Storozuk

Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON

Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Great post Angel. You're right. Removing the wallpaper makes a huge difference. I just recently staged a home where the clients painted over top of the wallpaper! The paper is starting to come apart at the seams but they won't remove it. I'm still hoping that I can talk them into having it taken off the walls! Its going to be a tough sell.

Aug 22, 2007 01:10 AM

Lucie Quigley

HOLT modern Home Staging - Halifax, NS

Wallpaper is a personal choice (and personally I really DON'T like it) and personal doesn't work when selling a home. It can be tricky to remove it in some cases but there are many great products that can make this task easier.

You showed some great examples to encourage homeowners that removing wallpaper IS worth the effort!

Aug 22, 2007 01:58 AM

C. Bartch

Newark, OH

Wow what a difference Angel, great wall color choices...I gotta say when working w/ sellers, it's such a difficult task getting them on board with wallpaper removal. On the other hand, when working w/ buyers it's usually one of the first things they comment on once inside the home, negative comments of course.

I would love to know everyone's approach in getting the seller to take down the wallpaper. Sometimes there is an emotional attachment and it's hard for them to realize it's about looking through the buyers' eyes. I've listed below a few reasons to get the seller to see it from a buyer's perspective, am I missing anything??

1- Before after photos

2- Informing the owner it can lower the selling price

3- Informing the owner it can be the one thing that factors in a potential client's decision to buy another property over yours

4- Informing the seller it can deter a buyer from seeing themselves and their things in your home, they may not be able to look beyond the surface

Aug 22, 2007 03:09 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Catchy blog title and you hit it when you said, If you don't want to do it, why would a buyer?

Move in ready means just that. A little sweat equity goes a long way in the removal of wallpaper and fresh paint as your photos show. Nice job.

Aug 22, 2007 04:24 AM

Marci Toliver

438-4642 - Mauldin, SC

Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging

Angel, once again! Absolutely amazing! Everyone knows that I think wallpaper is highly personal. I told a seller it was like a bathing suit! I wouldnt wear yours and you wouldnt wear mines! It's just that personal!

Aug 22, 2007 05:35 AM

Ann Krewson

A.L.I. Designs, Inc. - Houston, TX

A.L.I. Designs; Staging Houston Homes; Allied Member of A.S.I.D.

I always suggest removing wallpaper. It is out-dated and can make a room look much smaller than it actually is.

Aug 22, 2007 09:24 AM

Lynette Lawson

Starlight Design - Yucaipa, CA

Inland Empire, CA Home Staging

Hi Angel

Great blog. Wallpaper is very personable. Looks much nicer without.

Lynette

Aug 22, 2007 12:11 PM

Andy Capelluto

International School of Staging - Seattle, WA

I find that the quickest and cheapest way to deal with ugly wallpaper is to paint over it. Even if it has a texture - it can still be painted over and the texture will still be aparent, but at least you will be looking at a clean, freshly painted hopefully neutral wall. You will still be able to see the seams. I would glue down any parts that are peeling.

Andy Capelluto

Aug 22, 2007 01:04 PM

Cindy Lin

Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA

Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

HEY!

Yes it's very true. Wall paper is highly personal and can get overwhelming for buyers who don't use wall paper at all. It can also be distracting.

Cheers,

Cindy

Aug 22, 2007 06:30 PM

Betty Haney

Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB

Angel, this is a great blog and your pictures make your point even more effective. I really like what Cynthia had to say to owners who aren't willing to lose the paper. Thanks for your timely post. We have a house with wallpaper coming up. Owners are reluctant to remove. Betty

Aug 25, 2007 03:43 PM

STAGED IN STYLE, Home Staging

STAGED IN STYLE - Palmdale, CA

Angel,

It looks so update! The new look will definately appel to more buyers! I love the paint color you chose. I like that its bold but still neutral... great job!!

Sherri

Aug 29, 2007 05:04 AM

Phyllis Pafumi

ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ

ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

OMG I have clients that actually wallpapered their rooms in order to SELL THEIR HOMES. They thought this was making a statement and would make the house more appealing. NOT!! They still don't get it. I HATE WALLPAPER but there was a time when every room in my house was papered.

Phyllis Pafumi

Aug 31, 2007 12:05 AM

Fernando Rosado

West Palm Beach, FL

561-906-0050 or 561-840-8950

Thers wallpaper and there is wallpaper. I like wallpaper in bathrooms, but the type that looks like faux finishes. Not all. the one in that bathroom needed to go, you did the right choice !!

Nov 09, 2007 05:33 AM

Linda Barnett

Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN

Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Angel,

Wallpaper in itself is very design specific and always showcases the individual tastes of who made the selection choice. So, when selling, I totally agree, take it out. That way you have accomplished one goal in staging, neutralizing the space to maximize the selling potential of the property. Often times, HOME SELLERS tell me that the previous owner put up the paper as if to suggest its not their tastes or that its even not their problem. My response is this, You may not be the person who chose this wallpaper, but you certainly are the owners of it now! Great photos.

Nov 09, 2007 11:41 AM

Abby Roselli

ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY

Staten Island Home Stager

I don't know how I missed this one, but great post! Your pictures say it all!

Nov 27, 2007 01:28 AM

Kristina Leone

Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN

Awesome before/after pics! You took a "girlie" bathroom and turned it into a stylish bathroom!

Nov 27, 2007 07:40 AM

Tarenia www.stageitpros.com

Stage It & Redesign Professionals - Douglasville, GA

Great transformation. I am so with you on the wallpaper style. It's like art and photos, would you leave behind photos of you and your family on the walls.Would you want to walk in to your new home and be reminded of the people who lived there before you because they are plastered everywhere in the home. Wallpaper is just that personal and should be removed as soon as the seller realizes it is time to move on and the home has to be sold or leased.

Tarenia

Dec 07, 2007 01:07 AM

Inna Ivchenko

Barcode Properties - Encino, CA

Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Tell me about it.....I see so many older houses bright wallpaper. It crazy how bright they used to be:)

Nov 12, 2017 10:24 PM