Lining Paper: When It Helps and When It Does Not

Lining paper is plain, cheap, unglamorous wallpaper. Its job is to create a smooth, uniform surface so that the final decoration looks good.

Used well, it is a very clever fix. Used in the wrong place, it can waste money.

What it does

Hung horizontally or vertically on a prepared wall, lining paper covers fine cracks, hairline movement and small surface flaws. It gives a consistent base for paint or heavy wallpaper, and it can bridge the join between old and patched plaster.

It can also reduce the chance of cracks reappearing, because the paper holds the surface together.

When to use it

Rough or patchy plaster. Where a full re-skim feels excessive.

Under heavy or expensive wallpaper. Makes pattern matching easier and hides wall flaws.

After stripping old wallpaper. The wall often has patches and small damage. See painting over or stripping wallpaper.

Wanting a smooth painted finish. Painted lining paper can look excellent in a living room or hallway.

Grades

Lining paper comes in different weights. A thin paper suits well-prepared walls and light jobs. Heavier grades hide more but cost more and are trickier to hang. A professional chooses the weight to suit the wall.

When it is not the answer

Damp walls. Paper will lift and mould will grow. Fix the cause first.

Severely cracked or crumbling plaster. A repair or skim is better. Our plaster repair service covers this, and our guide to plaster cracks explains when to worry.

Bathrooms. Steam and paper do not mix well.

Walls that move. Structural movement will show through again.

How it is hung

Size the wall first, which means applying a diluted paste to seal it. Hang the paper, brush it out and trim. Leave it to dry fully before painting or hanging wallpaper. Cross-lining, where you hang the paper horizontally under vertical wallpaper, avoids seams lining up.

Rushing the drying can leave blisters and weak joins.

Cost and value

Lining paper adds time and materials, but the result can be better than endless filling and sanding. Against a skim, it is usually cheaper.

Our approach

We use lining paper when it genuinely helps, and say so when it does not. Our wallpaper hanging service includes preparation and lining where needed. Get a quote for your walls.