How to Apply Wallpaper

Wallpaper correctly applied can last for a hundred years as can be seen in old New England homes. It can change the look of a plain and barren room to a room with personality and charm. Good wallpaper is durable and washable. It is wonderful for covering imperfections on old plaster walls. It can create illusions if specific patterns are used. Applying wallpaper takes a little education or what started out being a simple project will end up being a nightmare.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Wall preparation

1. 

   Painted walls need to be smoothed out. Scrape away any loose paint and sand the edges smooth. If there are any holes, fill them with spackling compound and sand smooth. If the paint is glossy, sand lightly. Preferably paint over spackled areas with a light coat of primer. If you are papering over newly painted walls they will also need to be sized for best adhesion as well.

2. 

   Previously wallpapered walls need to be stripped. This is a time consuming process but will make the end product so much nicer. Mist the walls with a fine spray of vinegar and water using a hand held spray bottle or a garden sprayer. Keep the walls moist for about fifteen minutes and then scrape with a wide knife. Try to pull down large sheets as you go. If the old paper is a vinyl covered paper, you will need to score it lightly with a utility knife, making sure to just cut the surface and not the wall. If the paper has been painted over or just won't come loose, sand the edges smooth. Wash and rinse the walls and then apply sizing. Do not attempt to paint on the same day as the walls will need to dry.

3. 

   Newly drywalled walls need to be primed and then sized for best adhesion. Make sure any spackling is well sanded or it will show through later.

Measuring and Cutting the Wallpaper

4. Measure from the baseboard to the ceiling in several areas. Take the longest measurement and add four inches. This will allow enough room for trimming at either the ceiling or baseboard.

5. Now place the wallpaper or a work table and cut using a t-square or long ruler, cut straight across. Hold this cut piece up to the ceiling to make sure the pattern is right. Mark the back of the paper at the top with a "t" so you know which end is up. Now match up the pattern with the second strip and cut it using the same measurement. Again, mark it at the back on top with a "t." It is also a good idea to number the strips to lessen the chance of confusion. Continue cutting the number of strips that correspond with the width of the walls. it is a good idea to work on one wall at a time as opposed to the whole room.

6. Remember to mark strips that go under windows or over doorways with the appropriate markings to avoid confusion.

Measure and Mark Walls

7. Starting at a corner, measure the width of a strip of wallpaper plus an inch and mark. Now hang a plumb line from there and snap a chalk line. This will ensure that you get a nice straight pattern.

8. Now measure the width of the wallpaper from the chalk line back towards the corner and mark. This will be the position of the first strip of wallpaper.

9. Continue measuring and marking the rest of the wall, stopping when a full strip does not fit.

Pasting the Wallpaper

10. Roll up the first strip with the pattern on the outside and the top edge on the outside and submerge it in a container of warm water. Allow it to sit for the recommended time, from 5 to 15 minutes. Do the same thing for the second strip. Remove the first from the water and let drain slightly. Without unrolling the piece, press the top edge along the ceiling within the measurement markings and slowly smooth the wallpaper down the wall keeping within the straight chalk lines. Smooth out with a large sponge.

11. 

    Remove the second strip from the water after starting the third piece soaking. Line it up at the ceiling with the edges butting up against the first piece. There should be no overlapping. Make sure the pattern is correctly aligned at the top before smoothing it to the wall.

12. Continue for the remaining strips. Stroke down from the center and out removing any air bubbles. If there are any that do not escape, pull the paper away from the wall and start again. The paper should not dry too quickly.

13. If you are using a paste, apply it at the work station. Fold the bottom half up towards the center with the pasted sides together. Now apply to the wall as above. Remove any extra paste that squeezes out at the sides with a damp sponge.

Corners and Openings

14. Hang a strip of wallpaper loosely in the corner, overlapping the one side where it does not meet exactly. Cut a slit in the excess at the ceiling and at the baseboard to allow a snug fit. Using a straight edge, Cut through both layers of wallpaper. Peel back the outer layer and remove the cut portion from the top and under layer. Repress against the wall, smoothing out any air pockets. This should ensure a straight fit.

15. When planning for windows or other openings, measure ahead of time allowing a two inch overlap on every side. Cut away any excess. Hang the paper one section at a time until the last piece is in place, cutting through both layers as before. Remove the excess and smooth flat.

16. Now using a fresh blade in your utility knife, trim any excess paper at the ceiling and baseboard using a broad putty knife. Replace the blade as necessary.