Updating your interiors by introducing wallpaper is a striking and effective way to make a statement in your home. From 3D wallpaper to wallpaper made of cork, wicker and straw (yes really)… there is a wild array of wallpaper trends out there at the moment. But how difficult is wallpapering to do yourself? How do you hang wallpaper easily? Why do the professionals make it look so easy when in fact it’s a feat of precision, skill and experience? Here we look at 5 tips for hanging wallpaper so you can get that perfect end result for your new look.
5 Top Wallpapering Tips You Wish You Knew Before You Started!
1. Preparation, Preparation, Preparation!
As tempting as it is to just jump into the fun stuff (if hanging wallpaper is your idea of fun!), good preparation beforehand can make a huge difference to the end result. Just like if you were painting a wall, take the time to remove electrical outlets and light fixtures (turn off the power first!), the toilet tank (if papering a bathroom), and any accessories. It’s a good idea to even wipe down the walls and skirting boards, and vacuuming the floor of the room you are wallpapering will help prevent dust and dirt getting into the adhesive of the wallpaper.
2. Choose the Correct Type of Paper
Wallpaper comes in two varieties – the type where you apply the wallpaper adhesive to the wall, and the type where you paste the paper. Pasting the paper is incredibly finickity and not for the faint-hearted. Depending on the manufacturer’s instructions, you will probably have to pre-soak the paper. This expands the fibres so that when you apply the glue, it won’t expand unevenly from the moisture and therefore bubble and warp. You’ll need a large water-tight container to first soak each sheet of wallpaper in to do this. Then you need to apply the adhesive to the paper and “book” it (which means folding the paper back on itself, adhesive sides together) and leaving it to sit for a while so it can absorb the glue evenly. This is a time-consuming stage of the hanging wallpaper process, so if you’re a beginner we advise choosing a paste-the-wall option so that the paper is pre-primed and you can get straight into business.
3. Size the Walls
“What does that even mean?” I hear you cry! Wallpapering beginners might be surprised to know that it’s nothing to do with a tape measure. Sizing the walls before you hang wallpaper is a necessary step in your preparation if you are to get a good end result. Wallpaper size is a glutinous, slippery substance which seals and primes the plaster, stopping it from soaking up the adhesive and making the surface easier to paper. Sometimes you can avoid using wallpaper size if your wallpaper is luxurious, superior quality and heavy – almost as thick as card. However if you are using a commercially-bought standard roll of wallpaper then you’ll need to size the walls before hanging your wallpaper to ensure that it doesn’t tear as you try to position it on the wall. Top tip- Sizing the walls also makes it easier to remove if you change your mind on the design a few years down the line!
4. Apply Adhesive to the Wall
You don’t need to wait for the wallpaper size to dry, you can slip slap the wallpaper adhesive on right away. Be generous with the application, but as with painting a wall, make sure that you cover the floors and furniture with a dust sheet to protect them from splashes of sticky wallpaper adhesive. Make sure you apply the adhesive one ‘strip’ at a time so that you can lay the wallpaper on it before it dries. This is a tricky balancing act to get right so, as with any home improvement, the more time you take preparing the room the better the results. Exercise patience and skill and you’ll do a good job and get the results you crave.
5. Wallpaper Time
Only once you’ve done steps 1-4 can you even think about the big step 5… wallpapering.
Cut Paper You’ll need to cut the wallpaper about 6 inches longer than the wall so it overlaps the skirting board and ceiling at either end. What you’ll be doing is smoothing your paper first, then trimming it at the top and bottom to get an exact fit. You’ll need a good solid metal straight edge and a sharp craft knife for this (plastic rulers won’t work). Just edge your metal ruler into the corner of the skirting to get a sharp line, then trim with your sharp knife.
Design If you’ve chosen an intricate pattern then good luck! Matching up the design is a masterclass in patience and dedication.. We’ve known pattern-matching certain detailed designs to break even the most hardened decorator (!) and getting the sheets to line up when walls are wonky is an art you’ll need to master.
Plumb Use a plumb bob to get that first sheet of wallpaper looking straight- it must be precise because every other sheet will be guided by this first one. The pressure!
Sharp Knife Wallpapering around windows, doors, light sockets and power points is tricky. Wherever the wallpaper meets trim, skirting or mouldings, you’ll need a sharp utility knife to cut a clean line. You’ll need to use a REALLY sharp knife to get a perfectly sharp edge, no-one likes a fluffy-edged join. If you’re using a utility knife like a Stanley blade or similar, you’ll need to use a new knife blade regularly because the adhesive and thick wallpaper will dull the blade.
So there it is, our top 5 tips about wallpapering a room. We hope you enjoyed our wallpaper tips to help you get that perfect end result for your new look! If this all looks a little daunting to you then why not get a professional in? We offer free quotes and a sterling service from start to finish all across Exeter and beyond. Get in touch today and see what we can offer, it will certainly save you a job and we promise you’ll be delighted with the results!