Wallpaper is an eyesore

[Ka2017]

Just looking for a bit of advice. We have just moved into a new home (will only be short term) and the feature wall in the living room is just awful. What are my options? Do I paint over it? Am I able to paint over red and black wallpaper? Or shall I wallpaper over it? Like I say it’s only short term so the most convenient way would be ideal as I don’t have much free time either.
Thank you.

Adrian Mole painted over wallpaper and it didn't end well!!

I've painted over wallpaper successfully many times. Use plain white emulsion for the first coat or two to cheaply cover the strong colours then your chosen colour over the top. If the place is rented you will need to check whether the landlord is okay with you painting it. Get permission in writing.

If they won't let you, you could hang something over it. You may be too young to remember Barry and Yvonne in Hi de hi who used drawing pins to put floral wallpaper up in their chalet.....

You can get vinyl wallpaper that just sticks to the wall, and can be peeled off later. Sounds awful, but the stuff I looked at on etsy was very on trend. Expensive - but as you don't have much wall to cover, worth checking out.

Otherwise, if it is only short term I would seriously consider getting a length of wallpaper you love and just fixing it over. I'd be tempted to not even try to pretend it's pasted up - I'd use those big bronze decorative nails to put it up.

Have you tried peeling it off? If it was put up within the last few years the chances are it will just peel by the strip really easily. Modern wallpaper doesn't need steaming and chiselling off like it used to.