How to Hang Wallpaper at Home

Wallpapering is easy once you learn how.

Wallpapering a room provides a durable wall covering, adds color and texture, and is a great way to cover a damaged wall. If you've never wallpapered a room before, you may feel unqualified to do it. Anyone with a good eye and the willingness to learn can hang wallpaper. Wallpapering an entire room can take several hours, so you'll want to set some time aside. You'll also need a flat area to work that is covered with a drop cloth and a step stool for reaching the top of the wall.

Things You'll Need

• Wallpaper primer/sealer Paintbrush Paint roller White paint (optional) Measuring tape Level Pencil Scissors Utility knife Wallpaper smoother or brush Long wallpaper water tray Trash bag Sponge Water bucket Broad putty knife

Instructions

Preparing the Wall

1. Strip away any existing wallpaper, if possible. Although it is possible to wallpaper over existing wallpaper with the use of special wallpaper adhesive, you'll get better results if you remove the old wallpaper first.

2. Make sure your walls are clean and free of dust. Repair any cracks or holes in the wall and sand any rough areas.

3. Cover your walls with a coat of wallpaper primer. While this may seem like an unnecessary step, the primer will not only help to protect your walls, it will also make the paper easier to hang and improve the adhesion of the wallpaper to the wall.

4. If wallpapering over dark walls, paint a strip of white paint at the top and bottom of your wall (assuming you are wallpapering the entire wall and your trim and ceiling are white). This will ensure that any unevenness goes unnoticed.

5. Remove any objects hanging on the walls and any electrical outlet and light switch covers. You will want to turn off the power first.

6. Choose a spot where you will hang your first strip of wallpaper. Because your first and last strip will not match, you want to choose a corner near a door or behind your curtains to make it less obvious.

7. Measure the width of your wallpaper. Subtract 1 inch and mark this length on the wall from the corner where you're beginning. For example, if your wallpaper is 20.5 inches wide, mark a line 19.5 inches from the corner. Use a level to draw a straight line from the top to the bottom of your wall at this point. It is essential that this line is straight.

Cutting Wallpaper to Size

1. Measure the height of your wall. Add 3 to 4 inches to this length and cut your first strip of wallpaper. Lightly mark this strip #1 using a pencil on both the front and back of the paper. Also, draw an arrow on the back that points up. If your wallpaper has a random match, meaning it doesn't matter how adjoining strips connect, you can skip Steps 2 and 3.

2. Lay the paper flat along the floor.

3. Lay out another strip of paper so the pattern matches and cut it so it is the same length. This may mean that you have to cut your second strip slightly longer than your first strip and trim it. Lightly mark this strip #2 using a pencil on both the front and back of the paper. Also, draw an arrow on the back that points up.

4. Repeat Step 2 and 3 (or Step 1 of your paper has a random match) until you have several strips cut, making sure you label each one numerically, but do not cut more strips than necessary to cover one wall.

Booking Your Wallpaper

1. Fill your wallpaper tray 2/3 full of lukewarm water.

2. Lightly roll the strips of wallpaper so it they are adhesive side out.

3. Soak the first strip in the water for as long as the manufacturer recommends or until it is thoroughly wet.

4. Pull the wallpaper out of the tray so it is face down. Gently fold it (paste sides together) into fourths so the top and bottom ends touch near the middle. However, you want the top "half" to be slightly smaller than the bottom half as this will make it easier to handle when hanging. This is known as "booking."

5. Let your first strip "book" for three to five minutes or according to the manufacturer's instructions.

6. While your first strip is booking, repeat Steps 3 through 5 with all but the last remaining strip cut or a strip that reaches a corner. Place the strips in a trash bag in order to prevent them from drying out as you work with the first strip. Don't book the last remaining strip because you will want to use that to cut additional strips when you're ready. Corners are addressed below.

Hang the First Strip

1. Take your first strip of paper and line it up to the left of the line drawn on the wall. Make sure the strip overlaps at the top and the bottom.

2. Smooth out the strip using your wallpaper smoother or brush starting at the top and working your way down the strip. There should be 1 inch of paper that extends over to the other wall. Work from the middle of the strip outward to remove any wrinkles or air bubbles.

3. Remove any excess paste on the paper with a damp sponge.

4. Double-check that the strip is level and there are no air bubbles. Adjust if necessary.

Hanging Additional Strips

1. Take your second strip of paper and line it up so the pattern matches with the first strip. The two seams should be tight, but not overlap.

2. Smooth out the strip using your wallpaper smoother or brush starting at the top and working your way down the strip. Work from the middle of the strip outward to remove any wrinkles or air bubbles.

3. Remove any excess paste on the paper with a damp sponge. Make sure you remove any paste that has gotten on the first strip as well.

4. Double-check that the strip is level and there are no air bubbles. Adjust if necessary.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 until you reach the corner of the wall. You may need to go back and cut and book additional strips.

Papering Inside Corners

1. Measure the length of wall between the last strip and the corner.

2. Trim your last piece that matches the pattern to the wall so it fits the length of the wall.

3. Book and hang the first half of the cut piece on the wall.

4. Cut a new strip of paper so it matches the pattern in the corner.

5. Cut the width of your new strip so that it will overlap the corner by about 1 inch.

6. Book and paste your new strip. Overlap the old strip with the new one.

7. Using a utility knife, cut through both layers where they overlap. Remove the cut pieces and smooth the strips down.

Finishing Up

1. Once your wall covering has been on the wall for about 10 minutes, roll the seams lightly with a seam roller. Skip this step if you have embossed or foil wallpaper.

2. Triple-check your wallpaper for any air bubbles.

3. Trim the overlap at the ceiling and baseboards. Make sure your knife is sharp so it doesn't tear the paper. Hold a broad putty knife between the knife and the paper to ensure the edge is straight. Don't lift your knife until you have finished cutting one strip.

4. Wash off any excess paste from your baseboards or ceiling.

5. Cover the switch plates with wallpaper, if desired, and replace.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have trouble with long strips curling down before you can smooth them into place, use several pushpins along the top to secure the strips. Place the pins in a light area and smooth out the holes. Save scraps to cover switch plates.

Resources

• How to Hang Wallpaper
• How to Hang Wallpaper
• Wallpaper Installation - How To Hang Wallpaper