Next, paint a test patch area to see if the wallpaper will hold - don't skip this step! If it dries and the wallpaper stays smooth, then you're ready to get started. If the wallpaper starts to break away, that could be an indication that the wallpaper is just too old and brittle. In this case, unless you're going for a really unique textured look, you're probably going to have to remove it.

Okay, are you ready? Great! Let's get started.

1. Start by wiping down your walls thoroughly with a damp sponge - wallpaper paste dries clear and, like most glues, can cause problems for paint to stick to it. Besides removing old glue, you want to make sure the wallpaper is free of other dust and grime. BUT: Make sure the wallpaper is dry before taking the next steps!
   
   
2. Go to the circuit breaker panel and turn off the power to the room you plan on working in. Hopefully, your circuit breakers are already labeled (so you know which breaker belongs to each room) to make this easy. If not, we suggest plugging in a clock radio or boom box and put the volume up high enough so that you can hear it from the breaker box and can tell when it shuts off. (It's a whole heck of a lot easier than going back and forth to check each time). Check all of the switches and plugs to be certain before proceeding, as some rooms are covered by more than one circuit breaker.
   
   
3. Using your flathead screwdriver, now remove all of the swith/outlet covers from all of the walls that you want to work. Once you've done this, cover or "mask" the outlets and the switches with blue painter's tape.
   
   
   JANE TIP: Fom this point on, we suggest wearing latex or vinyl gloves and safety glasses. Getting wall dust in your contact lenses is no picnic!
   
   
4. Go over the walls with your bare hands to feel for any surface imperfections that will become apparent once the wall is painted. Repair any dents or scratches with a surfacing compound such as Spackle. Let the spackle dry and lightly sand (using 220 grit paper) any areas that don't feel smooth. Remove any residual dust with a damp cloth before continuing.
   
   
5. The last step of preparation is to tape any areas that lie next to the wallpapered area that might get paint on them (ceiling, baseboards, window trim, etc.). So, cover those areas with painter's blue masking tape. Place plastic or cloth drop cloths on the surrounding floors. If you can, try to attach the drop cloths to the tape on the baseboards, this should help keep paint off of the floor. JANE TIP: Disposable plastic drop cloths are usually very inexpensive and easy to manipulate. They are available at any home improvement center.
   
   Keep Forging Ahead! The prep is usually the 'hard' part!
   
   
6. Stir the primer and as long as you've already done your test patch (see "test patch" above), apply it to the walls. This will help the paint "stick" to the wallpaper.
   
   Trick of the Trade: When you buy your primer have it tinted to half the amount of the same pigment you are having them put in your paint. It's free and it will allow for faster coverage with the paint and fewer coats of it. Meaning, you'll save $$$!!!
   
   
7. Before applying the paint, you'll want to be 100% certain that the primer is dry, so we find it best to wait 24 hours. Mainly because the wallpaper will absorb the primer and take longer to dry than if you were just painting directly onto the wall.
   
   Trick of the Trade: Repair any minor blisters or bubbles that may have formed overnight by slitting them with a utility knife and then glue them to the wall with wallpaper paste. Allow it to dry and wipe off any excess with a damp sponge.
   
   
8. Once all of your spot treatment areas are dry, if the coverage looks good, you're ready to paint!
   
   
9. Make sure to stir the can of paint prior to applying it to the wall.
   
   JANE TIP: When buying the paint, consider that you may need an extra coat depending on the design in the wallpaper and the coverage of the paint. For help with painting, see our Painting 101 section.
   
   
10. Give it 24 hours to dry, put back on the outlet and light switch covers and say "bye-bye wallpaper!"

Great job, Jane! You did it! Now pour yourself a glass of wine, (or beer or juice or water), put on a relaxing CD, and enjoy your new room!