Can you paint over wallpaper?

Yes but you might need a few coats especially with the monstrosities the previous owners left you ?

I think it can soak in a bit too, I had a v dark bedroom as a teenager and wanted to cover it with lilac and white, I used cheap white emulsion for a few coats then a couple of coats of the colour I wanted-it took a LOT of paint ?

Depends on how strong the pattern is, what is the texture like (i.e. could you live with the texture showing through?)

If the pattern is strong then it's likely to take a few coats, if not no reason why not, but if you ever do decide to strip it will be a nightmare!

Ooh you've had your baby! Congrats!

I have taken a pic to show how hideous it is ?

Thanks for the replies; it's not toooo dark so might be OK with a few coats of 'one coat' magnolia. If we ever want to strip it, I'll pay someone to come and do it!

WSS.

When we moved into our family home 15 years ago (still my mum & dad's house), the redocorating was an absolute NIGHTMARE.

The previous owners had never removed any wallpaper before redecorating...there were at least 3 types of wallpapaer layered on the walls, each of which had been painted over inbetween! We had to chisel some of it off, hire an industrial steamer, the works. It took several days just to get one room stripped, and the vast majority of the walls in the house needed replastered. i reckon we gained several inches of square footage per room once it was all off!

So, its probably doable if the pattern/texture is coverable, or you don't mind it showing through; but its not advisable if you're likely to want to decorate again in the future.

Yes you can. I'm lazy so have always painted over wallpaper.