Entryway Renovation Vol.5: Wallpaper Removal

u270fufe0f Originally published: 2016-12-17 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 8, 2026

2026 Update u2014 Looking Back on the Entryway Renovation

With the long bathroom renovation behind me, it was time to move on to the entryway wallpaper replacement. The entryway is the face of the property u2014 the first space a visitor touches u2014 so this was one area where I really wanted the finish to shine.

Things to Watch Out for When Removing Entryway Wallpaper

The entryway is a small area, so the job goes quickly. But there’s one entryway-specific issue to be aware of: the substrate near the bottom of the wall (around the base of the door frame) can sometimes be damaged. In older properties especially, moisture and condensation from outside can weaken the drywall to the point where it crumbles.

Before you start stripping wallpaper, press on the wall surface and check. If it feels soft or gives under pressure, the substrate needs repair first.

Key Points for a Great Entryway

• Choose a bright wallpaper color for a clean, welcoming look (white to light beige)
• Reset or replace the shoe cabinet for a fresh start
• A motion-sensor light is a popular feature with tenants
• Always replace the door lock (spare key security risk from previous occupants)

After 15 years as a landlord, the lesson I keep coming back to is this: cleaning up the entryway alone completely transforms the first impression during property viewings. If you have a limited budget, the entryway renovation gives you the best bang for your yen.

ud83dudd27 Tools & Materials I Used

• VOICE Green Laser Level u2014 #1 in 4 Rakuten rankings u00bb
• Find DIY materials at Supakuri Shop u00bb

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Continuing the 1F entryway renovation series.

After removing the shoe cabinet, the next step is stripping all the wallpaper from the walls and ceiling.

Tools needed: a putty knife (that’s it).

This was my first time removing wallpaper, so I did my homework with some online research. The basic method: score the surface with the putty knife, then peel from the scored line. That’s all there is to it u2014 or so I was told.

The catch is that wallpaper peels differently depending on its condition. Some sheets come off in satisfying large sections; others crumble into tiny fragments. Old paper is especially prone to the fragmented type. If that happens, apparently the trick is to mist it with water first to soften the adhesive and coax it off in larger pieces. I got plenty of tips like that, but I had a nagging feeling this was going to be a struggle.

With a firm deadline looming u2014 we needed to move into the 1F before the new baby arrived (less than four months away!) u2014 I couldn’t afford to lose time on wallpaper removal. I told myself to stop worrying and just start.

And then u2014 surprise! It just… peeled off. Big satisfying sheets, one after another.

I don’t know if the original wallpaper was just an easy-peeling type, but I got lucky. There’s something deeply satisfying about hearing that crisp peeling sound and watching a big section come away cleanly.

u2191 The start of the strip. All my worrying about the process turned out to be wasted energy u2014 though I did spend so long thinking about the workflow that wallpaper removal was all I got done that session. More in the next installment. That’s all for today!

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