Wallpapering a Textured Surface

Q: I want to wallpaper a wall that has a sand-texture finish. How do I prepare the wall so it will be smooth enough to wallpaper?

A: There are two primary ways to prepare a bumpy wall for wallpaper. The first technique, covering the wall with a thin layer of drywall mud, is the one favored by professional paperhangers. Only experienced do-it-yourselfers should try this method. It's like replastering the wall, a skill perfected only with much practice. It involves applying as many as three thin coats of drywall mud with a trowel. After that, the wall is sanded and sealed with a clear, penetrating, hard-drying drywall sealer.

The other option is to hang wallpaper liner, which is available at most home improvement and wallpaper stores, before hanging wallpaper. Add primer to the wall before the liner is installed, and then add a layer of wallpaper paste over the liner before the wallpaper is hung (even if the wallpaper is prepasted). This second method doesn't create as smooth and perfect a wall as a professional could accomplish with the first method, but it's a much easier project for many homeowners to tackle.