Can You Install Wallpaper on Orange Peel Walls in Los Angeles?
If you've been dreaming about wallpaper but your walls look like the surface of a citrus fruit — you're not alone.
Orange peel texture is everywhere in Los Angeles. It's in apartments in Silver Lake, condos in Marina del Rey, houses in Pasadena. And it's the number one reason people hesitate before calling a wallpaper installer.
So let's answer the question directly: yes, you can install wallpaper on orange peel walls — but it depends on the wallpaper type and how the wall is prepped.
Why Orange Peel Walls Are a Problem for Wallpaper
Orange peel texture creates an uneven surface. When you apply wallpaper directly over it, a few things can happen:
The texture shows through thin or light-colored wallpaper
Adhesion becomes uneven, which leads to bubbling or peeling over time
Seams become more visible because the surface isn't flat
The thicker and darker the wallpaper, the more it hides the texture underneath. A bold mural or heavy vinyl can go over mild orange peel with minimal prep. A delicate grasscloth or light-colored wallpaper? That's a different story.
What We Do Before We Install
At Agai Wallpaper, every project starts with a wall assessment. When we come for your free in-home estimate, we look at:
The severity of the texture
The type of wallpaper you've chosen
The room conditions — humidity, lighting, traffic
If the texture is mild and the wallpaper is thick, we can often proceed directly.
If the texture is significant, we skim coat the walls — a process where we apply a thin layer of joint compound to create a smooth, flat surface. It adds time and cost, but it's the difference between wallpaper that looks good for two years and wallpaper that looks good for fifteen.
We never cut corners on prep. A perfect install starts with a perfect wall.
Which Wallpaper Types Work Best on Textured Walls?
Vinyl wallpaper — the most forgiving. Thick enough to hide mild texture, durable, easy to clean. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas.
Murals — printed on heavy stock, they handle texture well and the pattern draws the eye away from the wall surface.
Grasscloth — requires smooth walls. No exceptions. If you have orange peel and you want grasscloth, wall prep is not optional.
Peel & stick — works only on perfectly smooth walls. On orange peel, it will lift and peel within months.
The Bottom Line
Orange peel walls don't have to stop you from getting the wallpaper you want. They just mean you need the right installer — one who assesses the wall honestly, preps it properly, and stands behind the result.
That's exactly what we do at Agai Wallpaper.
We serve Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Studio City, Pasadena, Burbank, Marina del Rey and all of Orange County. Every estimate is free. Every visit includes an honest assessment of your walls.
Call us or fill out the form — we'll come to you.
