HELP- getting new estate agent pics done on Wednesday and toddler has ripped wallpaper off the wall

[AngeloMysterioso]

It’s the wall right next to the front door- literally the first thing you see when you walk in.

You can see where DH has tried to patch up/paint over where he’s pulled it off before (and not done a great job to be honest) he says he’ll just have to do that again but I don’t think we’ll be able to get away with it now.

We desperately need to find a new buyer- we’re a family of 5 in a very small 2 bed flat and our last one dropped out last week.

What the hell do we do?!

Beg borrow or steal a large vase or hamper or small table

Nice tall plant in a big pot.

Don't panic! Is this in a hallway? If so, it's not like photos of that are terribly important anyway. Either way, as already suggested, just shove something tasteful in front of it and all shall be well.

(Side note, but respect to your hulkling of a toddler!)

I’m not a decorator, but I’d try sanding a small patch of the wallpaper if it’s rough (to test it), smooth a load of filler in it, sand it and paint it. Depending upon how it looks after that, I’d look around to see what I could strategically place there to cover the worst of it!

If there isnt room for a table or anything then I would get one of those toddler/child measuring posters and paste it up on the wall. You know - the ones that you mark off how tall they are?

Or just go over DH's attempt at painting over it.

I'm a buyer, this would not bother me. do not worry. let the EA know in advance so they can mention if it the buyer is found staring at it. Otherwise get something to cover it a bit, but don't be too obvious otherwise it'll look like you might be hiding worse elsewhere. main thing is, let EA know.

Mix up some filler and carefully cover it with a scraper. Then sand and paint.

No space for furniture unfortunately! I did think of the height poster thing, may have to resort to that.

It’s not even so much the photos I’m worried about as viewings… first impressions are so important and it’s literally you cross the threshold and there it is.

(Side note, but respect to your hulkling of a toddler!)

He’s so fucking destructive, I just don’t know what to do anymore.

As soon as you get a bit of paint on that it'll be so much less obvious, though. I really doubt anyone will notice. How much attention do people really pay to walls at ankle height?

Ruler and Stanley knife square it up then paint over it

Get a paint sample in a similar colour to go over the brown bit and stop worrying about it. No one will ever notice or care.
A little bit of peeling off wallpaper is irresistible to toddlers, mine loved ripping newspapers or magazines too so I provided piles of that, one also 'decorated' some curtains by cutting out holes in them!

They can edit the photos so it shows less. Try not to worry, it’s not a big deal!

Stick it back down, smooth over, paint. All will be well.

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Toddler clearly doesn't want to move home.

Will that even be in the photos. It would be a very easy section for them just to miss. You don't really see photos of the front door from the inside. If they take photos of the hall in towards the house that bit wouldn't be seen

My pesky cats ripped paper from our hall . It does make me but it is superficial.

If your viewers ask "Why are you selling your flat" you can just point at The Toddler .
Any new buyers will want to decorate anyway .

Fill it, sand it, paint it.

then stop worrying. People won't be looking there as they're all trying to get in the front door.

im currently looking to buy, it wouldn't bother me as I'd want to redecorate anyway.

Dont hide it because id notice them id wonder what else you were hiding.

with that many if you living in there id expect stuff like that

Enjoybthe little sid, as you know, they grow far too quickly!

mund you it may not feel quickly enough just now!!

best wishes for a quick sale!

If you're not up to doing the work yourselves to repair the damage to a good standard, book a painter & decorator.

Make sure the photos don't show that part of the hallway. Then when it comes to viewings, the EA can honestly tell people that the hallway will be redecorated soon, buyers will understand that toddlers are destructive!

I'd just paint it. If the colour matches, I don't think people will be looking at that area. When they walk in, they will be looking into the flat, not down to their knees/ankles. Unless you insist they take their shoes off....

Just paint it white. People won't put off by that.

Brilliant suggestion!

Bit of a weird place to put a mirror though unless you are trying to make the rats look bigger.

Ideally you would put something there that would not be out of place like a shoe rack. But that would be totally impractical because of the width of the corridor and the door opening. Maybe you could put a coat hook up and hang a long coat on it that hangs down over it but probably easier just to digitally edit it out of any pics (not that any pic is likely to include a picture of the front door anyway).

Anyway, should be easy to repair. get some smooth filler or wall repair cream and spread over the top, sand down to smooth and then paint over.

We used this in our dining room. Cut to size, stick on lower part of wall, paint. Will prevent toddler peeling any more off too.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Beaded-Medium-Density-Fibreboard-MDF-Panel---6-x-607-x-1220mm/p/190140