What Is Paintable Wallpaper and How Do You Use It on Furniture?
If you’ve been following furniture makeover trends, you’ve probably noticed a growing number of pieces with beautiful textured panels — drawer fronts, cabinet doors and side panels with a raised, tactile finish that looks like it came straight from a designer studio. The secret behind many of these looks? Paintable wallpaper.
At Sweet Pea Interiors, paintable wallpaper is one of our favourite techniques for taking a furniture makeover from great to extraordinary. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Paintable Wallpaper?
Paintable wallpaper is a thick, textured wallpaper designed to be painted over. Unlike decorative wallpaper, which has a printed pattern, paintable wallpaper has a raised, embossed or woven texture — geometric patterns, linen weaves, damask motifs, herringbone, and more — that shows through the paint once applied.
When used on furniture, it adds a layer of texture and dimension that you simply can’t achieve with paint alone. It transforms flat, featureless drawer fronts and cabinet panels into something that looks genuinely bespoke.
Why Use Paintable Wallpaper on Furniture?
- Instant texture and dimension — adds a designer, handcrafted quality to any piece
- Hides imperfections — great for covering scratches, dents or worn veneer on drawer fronts
- Completely customisable — paint it any colour to match your project
- Affordable transformation — a small amount of wallpaper goes a long way on furniture
- Coastal and contemporary appeal — linen weave and geometric textures suit the Australian coastal aesthetic beautifully
What Surfaces Can You Apply It To?
Paintable wallpaper works well on most flat furniture surfaces, including:
- Drawer fronts
- Cabinet door panels
- Side panels of dressers and sideboards
- Wardrobe door inserts
- Bedhead panels
- Decorative boxes and trays
It works best on flat or very gently curved surfaces. It’s not suited to highly curved or carved surfaces where it would need to stretch or fold significantly.
How to Apply Paintable Wallpaper to Furniture
What You’ll Need
- Paintable wallpaper in your chosen texture
- Wallpaper paste or a strong PVA adhesive
- Smoothing tool or wallpaper brush
- Sharp craft knife or scissors
- Mineral paint in your chosen colour
- Quality furniture painting brush
- Sealer or topcoat
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Clean and lightly sand the surface as you would for any paint project. The surface should be clean, dry and free of wax or grease. If the surface is very smooth (e.g. laminate), a light scuff sand and a coat of bonding primer will help the wallpaper adhesive grip.
Step 2: Cut the Wallpaper to Size
Measure your drawer front or panel carefully and cut the wallpaper slightly larger than needed — you can trim the edges once it’s adhered. For drawer fronts, cut one piece per drawer for a clean, consistent look.
Step 3: Apply the Adhesive
Apply wallpaper paste or PVA adhesive to the furniture surface (not the wallpaper). Work quickly and evenly. Position the wallpaper carefully, then smooth from the centre outward using a smoothing tool to remove any air bubbles.
Step 4: Trim the Edges
Once the wallpaper is positioned and smooth, use a sharp craft knife to trim the edges flush with the furniture surface. Allow to dry completely — at least 24 hours — before painting.
Step 5: Paint Over the Wallpaper
Once fully dry, apply your mineral paint directly over the wallpaper. The texture will show through beautifully. Apply two thin coats, allowing full drying time between coats.
The result is a stunning, textured panel that looks completely intentional and designer.
Step 6: Seal and Finish
Apply a sealer or topcoat over the painted wallpaper for protection, especially on high-use surfaces like drawer fronts. Once dry, add your new cabinet handles and the transformation is complete.
Colour Ideas for Paintable Wallpaper Furniture
The beauty of paintable wallpaper is that the colour is entirely up to you. At Sweet Pea Interiors, our favourite combinations for a coastal Australian look include:
- Linen weave texture + soft white mineral paint — clean, coastal, timeless
- Geometric pattern + dusty sage green — contemporary and fresh
- Damask motif + deep navy — dramatic and luxe
- Herringbone texture + warm sandy neutral — relaxed and beachy
Browse our full mineral paint colour range →
Finishing the Look: New Handles
Paintable wallpaper panels look incredible paired with the right hardware. Our handmade timber handles and rattan pulls complement the texture beautifully for a coastal finish, while brass handles add a touch of warmth and elegance.
Learn the Technique at One of Our Workshops
If you’d like to try paintable wallpaper on furniture in a hands-on setting, join us at one of our furniture painting workshops in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. We’ll walk you through the full process from prep to final finish.
