Paintable wallpaper is one of the most exciting techniques in furniture upcycling right now — and one of the most underused. Applied to drawer fronts, cabinet panels or furniture surfaces before painting, it adds texture, pattern and depth that simply can't be achieved with paint alone. The result is a piece that looks genuinely bespoke and artisan.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using paintable wallpaper on furniture in Australia.

What Is Paintable Wallpaper?

Paintable wallpaper is a textured wallpaper designed to be painted over. Unlike decorative wallpaper, which has a printed pattern, paintable wallpaper has a raised, embossed or textured surface — and the texture shows through the paint, creating a three-dimensional effect on the finished piece.

On furniture, it's typically applied to flat surfaces — drawer fronts, door panels, cabinet sides — before painting. Once painted, the texture creates visual interest and a handmade quality that elevates the piece significantly.

Why Use Paintable Wallpaper on Furniture?

• Adds texture and depth that paint alone can't achieve
• Creates a bespoke, artisan quality that makes a piece genuinely one-of-a-kind
• Hides surface imperfections on drawer fronts and panels
• Works with any paint colour — the texture shows through regardless of the colour used
• Relatively easy to apply with the right technique
• Transforms flat-pack furniture into something that looks custom-made

Paintable Wallpaper vs Wallpaper Panels

Paintable wallpaper comes in rolls and is applied with wallpaper paste, similar to standard wallpaper. Wallpaper panels are pre-cut, thicker panels that are applied with adhesive. Both can be used on furniture, but paintable wallpaper is more flexible and better suited to curved or irregular surfaces.

For a full comparison: Paintable Wallpaper vs Wallpaper Panels: What's the Difference?

How to Apply Paintable Wallpaper to Furniture

What You'll Need

• Paintable wallpaper
• Wallpaper paste or PVA adhesive
• Wallpaper brush or smoothing tool
• Sharp craft knife or scissors
• Chalk finish or mineral paint in your chosen colour
• Sealer or wax to protect the finished piece

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

Clean and lightly sand the surface you're applying the wallpaper to. The surface should be clean, dry and free of grease. Remove drawer fronts or doors if possible — it's much easier to apply wallpaper to a flat surface than one that's still attached to the piece.

Step 2: Cut the Wallpaper

Measure the surface and cut the wallpaper slightly larger than needed — you'll trim it to fit once it's applied. For drawer fronts, cut one piece per drawer.

Step 3: Apply the Adhesive

Apply wallpaper paste or diluted PVA to the surface (not the wallpaper). Work in sections. Some paintable wallpapers are paste-the-wall; others are paste-the-paper — check the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4: Apply the Wallpaper

Position the wallpaper carefully and smooth from the centre outwards to remove air bubbles. Use a smoothing tool or clean cloth to press the wallpaper firmly into the surface. Trim the edges with a sharp craft knife once positioned.

Step 5: Allow to Dry Completely

Allow the wallpaper to dry completely before painting — usually 24 hours. Painting over damp wallpaper can cause it to lift or bubble.

Step 6: Paint

Apply chalk finish or mineral paint over the dried wallpaper using your normal painting technique. The texture will show through the paint beautifully. Two coats is usually sufficient.

Step 7: Seal

Seal the finished piece with wax or a water-based sealer to protect both the paint and the wallpaper surface. For a full guide to sealing options: How to Seal and Protect Painted Furniture

Best Surfaces for Paintable Wallpaper

• Drawer fronts — the most popular application. Creates a striking contrast between textured drawers and a smooth painted body.
• Cabinet door panels — particularly effective on recessed panel doors where the wallpaper sits within the panel.
• Flat-pack furniture sides and tops — transforms plain MDF surfaces into something with genuine character.
• Headboards — adds texture and interest to a painted timber headboard.

Design Ideas

Textured drawers, smooth body: Apply paintable wallpaper to drawer fronts only and paint the body of the piece in a smooth finish. The contrast between textured and smooth creates a sophisticated, layered look.

All-over texture: Apply paintable wallpaper to the entire piece for a maximally textured, artisan result. Works particularly well on smaller decorative pieces.

Two-tone with texture: Paint the body in one colour and the textured drawer fronts in a contrasting or complementary colour. Creates a bold, designer look.

Paintable Wallpaper and Flat-Pack Furniture

One of the best applications for paintable wallpaper is flat-pack furniture — IKEA pieces, Kmart finds and similar. The plain, smooth MDF surfaces of flat-pack furniture are perfect for paintable wallpaper, and the transformation can be dramatic. How to give flat-pack furniture a designer upgrade →

Learn the Technique at Our Workshops

Paintable wallpaper application is one of the techniques we cover in our intermediate and advanced furniture painting workshops in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. It's a technique that's much easier to learn in person than from a written guide — and the results are always impressive.