How to Make a Wall Paper Border

Wallpaper border placed at the top of a wall provides interest and adds color or style to the room. As a chair rail, it breaks the wall into two sections often used as a divider between two colors or decorating styles. Making your own wallpaper border allows you to add your own style and decorator sense to the room. When a suitable border is not found, making your own border is an easy and inexpensive alternative.

Things You'll Need

• Roll of wallpaper Ruler/quilter's or carpenters square Pencil Craft knife

Instructions

1. Look for an inexpensive roll of wallpaper in the design you desire. Single rolls are often offered at a discount, particularly if they are the last roll in that design. Because you will only need one roll, this can be a great bargain, often costing less than the price of a roll of wallpaper border.

2. Decide the width for the border. Although you can choose any size that fits your needs, borders generally range from 4 to 6 inches in width.

3. Measure the appropriate width from the roll of wallpaper and cut with a craft knife to get a smooth, even cut. Marking the appropriate width every few inches and connecting the marks with a ruler assures an even strip of border. A quilter's ruler or carpenter's square can also be used to mark an even line.

4. Follow the manufacturer's direction for installing the wallpaper. Many come prepasted and require wetting to activate the glue. If the paper is not prepasted, purchase wallpaper adhesive for this project.

5. Wipe down with a damp cloth and smooth to remove air bubbles or wrinkles.