How To Hang Wallpaper & Where To Start (2024)

How to hang wallpaper

The moment you’ve been waiting for - it’s time to get stuck in:

Step 1: measure your walls

Pick an area of the wall with no switches or sockets and measure the length. Add 20 centimetres for leeway and use your tape measure to mark the back of the paper where you need to cut. Fold wallpaper over on itself and cut your first strip.

Step 2: mark your wall for guidance

Using your plumb line measuring tool, mark a vertical line on the wall near, right next to where the strip should go. You’ll use this line as a guide when hanging the first strip.

Step 3: apply your wallpaper paste

Time for the application process. Deep breaths. Use your brush to apply the wallpaper paste to the surface in even layers. We’d recommend starting at the top and working your way down. Perch on your stepladder to reach the ceiling if you need to.

Step 4: position your wallpaper

Once you’ve pasted the wall, position your wallpaper to check alignment. If it all looks straight, apply your first strip to the top and start to smooth it out from the centre to the edges using a clean cloth.

Top tip: no need to panic if you’re not happy with the positioning. Lick wallpaper is designed for easy removal so you can reposition and replace to your heart’s desire.

Step 5: trim and tidy

Trim off any excess wallpaper using your knife and ruler. Papering around switches and sockets? Cover them up with a wallpaper strip and use your knife to cut around them to avoid sloppy edges.

Step 6: smooth

Smooth the seams as you go for the best finish. Always smooth out from the centre of the strip to avoid air bubbles.

Top tip: be gentle. Don’t put too much pressure on it or the paste may squeeze out from the edges.

Step 7: repeat!

Repeat this process for the entire wall.

Step 8: sit back and relax

And, you’re done! Step back and admire your masterpiece. You did that.

How To Hang Wallpaper & Where To Start (2024)

FAQs

How To Hang Wallpaper & Where To Start? ›

Always start from the most inconspicuous corner. That way, the only mismatch will occur in that corner when you are finished. If you are papering only one wall, hang that first sheet right in he middle.

How do you hang wallpaper for beginners? ›

How to Hang Traditional Wallpaper
  1. Prepare the Walls. As is the case for all DIY projects, preparation is key. ...
  2. Layout and Cut the Wallpaper. ...
  3. Create Plumb Lines. ...
  4. Apply Wallpaper Paste. ...
  5. Hang the Wallpaper. ...
  6. Remove Bubbles. ...
  7. Trim the Edges.
Dec 5, 2023

Why do you start in the middle when wallpapering? ›

Always start from the most inconspicuous corner. That way, the only mismatch will occur in that corner when you are finished. If you are papering only one wall, hang that first sheet right in he middle.

How to hang wallpaper without seams showing? ›

Apply a good amount of pressure when installing and smoothing the wallpaper, consider using a seam roller. Wipe away any excess paste that pushes out at the seams/edges with a soft cloth. Allow your wallpaper to dry as naturally as possible for 48 hours in a well-ventilated space.

Which is the right way up for wallpaper? ›

Here's a few tips you can use if you're not sure the wallpaper design goes up or down: Manufacturers usually roll the wallpaper up. When you undo the wrapping on the wallpaper roll, the end you unroll is the top.

Do you wallpaper towards a window or away from it? ›

The traditional method for papering a room is to work away from light, (windows or doors), but you may find it easier to paper the longest uninterrupted wall to get used to the basic techniques before tackling corners or obstructions.

Do you paste the wall or the wallpaper? ›

The easier way to hang wallpaper is to use "paste-the-wall" wallpaper. Instead of applying paste to the paper, you apply it directly to the wall after your sizing layer has dried. This makes it quicker and easier to hang your paper, as the wallpaper is dry when you're handling it.

How long do you have to soak wallpaper before hanging? ›

After cutting out your strips, you have to paste it evenly, folded and rolled. It is important that you remain consistent with your soaking time, which will depend on the type of wallpaper as well as your room's temperature. This is typically between 8 and 12 minutes.

What is the easiest wallpaper to install yourself? ›

In short, go with water activated wallpaper if you're experienced applying traditional paste wallpaper but want to skip the step of adding paste. Go with peel and stick wallpaper if you're inexperienced with wallpaper and want fewer application steps and a lot less mess.

Do you slightly overlap wallpaper? ›

If you're wondering whether or not to overlap wallpaper, the answer is a resounding yes! When you receive your removable wallpaper or mural, you'll notice an "OVERLAP" sign at the top of each panel. This sign indicates that the edges should be overlapped by one full inch when installing the next panel.

How do you line up wallpaper perfectly? ›

Once stretched, wallpaper may shrink back as the adhesive dries, disrupting the pattern match. Smooth with a Seam Roller – Once two pieces are matched up, use a seam roller to gently press the seams together. This helps in making the patterns align perfectly at the seams.

Do you hang wallpaper vertically or horizontally? ›

While vertical designs make a room feel taller, horizontal patterns can create the illusion of lower ceilings, which is ideal if you're planning to make a more intimate, cosy environment. It's time to turn your interior design on its head (or at least to a 90-degree angle)!

How to wallpaper for beginners? ›

How to hang wallpaper
  1. Measure and cut wallpaper to the correct lengths.
  2. Apply adhesive to the wall.
  3. Hang the lengths to achieve a straight and smooth finish on walls and around corners.
  4. Tackle awkward areas like radiators, windows, light switches, plug sockets and door frames.
  5. Hang wallpaper to create a feature wall.

How to not see lines in wallpaper? ›

No, wallpaper seams are not meant to show. The edges should touch, but not overlap so be careful when doing this. If you're struggling to line them up perfectly, you can always use a seam roller to seal the seams, but make sure you don't press too hard (this could cause the paste to seep out).

How to correct wallpaper mistakes? ›

How do you fix mistakes while hanging wallpaper? If your wallpaper develops bubbles or blisters, cut a small slit along the side of the air bubble, insert a glue injector into the slit and add a bit of seam adhesive inside. Press down and remove any excess. Gently flatten the bubble.

Where to start hanging lining paper? ›

Start from the place where you are going to hang the first length of wallpaper and hang a half-width of lining paper. Continue with full widths across the rest of the wall. This is okay if the two papers are the same width, but be aware that lining papers are available in different widths.

Do you wallpaper the ceiling or the walls first? ›

1 Measure and mark the first length. When wallpapering a room, the ceiling is always done first.

How do I choose where to wallpaper? ›

Don't choose the wall behind you or out of your line of sight when you enter the room. For maximum impact, choose the wall you first see when you walk into the room. Don't choose a wallpaper design that's too plain and light in colour for a high traffic area as it will experience more wear and tear over time.

Do you apply wallpaper vertical or horizontal? ›

While vertical designs make a room feel taller, horizontal patterns can create the illusion of lower ceilings, which is ideal if you're planning to make a more intimate, cosy environment. It's time to turn your interior design on its head (or at least to a 90-degree angle)!

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