How to Hang a Wallpaper Border

Quick and easy guide to hanging a wallpaper border in a child's room. Time: About two hours.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket of warm water
• A sponge
• A soft rag
• Wallpaper border
• A step ladder
• Cutting board
• A straight edge
• A razor knife
• Push Pin

1. Start in the corner of the room that will be least visible (behind the door). Roll out the border along the floor leaving about 1" extra on each side. There's no need to measure unless you think you may run out. Mark it where you plan to cut it. Now place the marked area on a cutting board of piece of cardboard. Using a straight edge, cut a very straight line.

2. Roll up the cut length of border glueside out. Immerse in the water with the outside of the roll in your fingers. Immediately begin slowly unrolling the paper so that it all gets wet. Let it drip a few seconds and then fold it over on itself. Be sure to match the edges.

3. To apply to the top of the wall, climb on a stepstool and peel apart about half of the strip. Begin pressing the paper along the top edge of the wall. Leave about 1" or less wrapped around the corner. Continue until the entire strip is on the wall. You may use a push pin to hold it up while you move the ladder. Now use a sponge to push all the air bubbles out of the paper. You can still slide it around a bit by pushing on it gently to get it into just the right spot.

4. On to the next wall. You will need to match the pattern in the corner. Look at the pattern and use either a new roll or the same roll to find the first match spot. Mark it. Now trim the next roll so that the end will fit into the corner and exactly match. Now follow Steps 1, 2, and 3.

5. Continue with each wall matching the pattern in the corner. Be sure to lay the new strip over top the 1" or so left from the old strip. Line everything up so you cannot see the match.

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have one person, you can use the same method and make the strips about 6 feet long so that you can hang them yourself. Simply match the same way and you will never know!
• To hang a border in the middle of the wall, measure 36" up from the floor and make some pencil marks along each wall. Line the paper up with the pencil marks to make it straight.
• Be careful when cutting with the razor knife! Also, have extra blades on hand as it may become dull

[teachermom]

on 12/30/2008 Thanks for the tips!!