How to Wallpaper for Beginners

This article provides instructions and tips on how to hang wallpaper.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wallpaper
• Paste if not using pre-pasted paper
• Latex wall primer
• Wallpaper tray
• Paste brushes
• Masking tape
• Measuring tape
• Spackle
• Sandpaper
• Putty knife
• Plastic straight edge
• Sharp utility knife
• Scissors
• Screw drivers
• Ladder
• Table

1. 

   Select the wallpaper design you want to use and buy your supplies. To figure out the number of rolls you will need measure the dimensions of the room, minus doors and windows, and use it as a reference when shopping for the wallpaper.

2. 

   Wash down your walls and let them dry. Dust, dirt, and moisture could prevent your wallpaper from adhering properly.

3. 

   Shut off the electric to the room you will be wall papering and remove all outlet covers. Cover exposed outlets with masking tape so that none of the products you will be using will come into contact with them.

4. 

   Inspect the room for damaged areas that may need to be spackled and do so as needed, but be sure to let them dry and sand them down before papering.

5. 

   Apply a latex primer to your wall and let it dry if you are using pre-pasted wallpaper. It will help the paper bond to the wall.

6. 

   Measure your wall from the bottom from bottom to top and do so for each different wall that you work on just in case they do not have the same measurements.

7. 

   Using scissors or a utility knife with a straight edge cut your wallpaper into the measured length, but add an extra few inches to match up the pattern and to leave room for trimming. At this point you could choose to cut more pieces, but waiting to see how the first couple of pieces look when hung might be a good idea.

8. 

   Roll out the strip of paper on a large table and use a wallpaper brush to thinly apply the paste. Remember that wet paper tears easily so handle it carefully.

9. 

   If you are using pre-pasted paper you will need to soak the paper in a wall paper tray and then do what is called booking it. This is done by folding one end of the strip to the middle of the sheet with the pasted sides together do this, but without creasing the folds. Now continue to to do this in a ribbon style strip until the strip of paper is a manageable size. When applying it to the wall peel it apart from the edges carefully and unfold it as it is hung on the wall.

10. 

    To apply the paper start at the top of the wall. Smooth it out with a wallpaper brush or roller to press out any bubbles. Be careful not to smear the paste onto the front of the paper and keep a rag handy to clean up any mishaps.

11. 

    When you apply the second piece line up the pattern and butt it tightly against the last piece. Some people choose to slightly over lap each the piece of wallpaper.

12. 

    After the wallpaper has been up for about ten to fifteen minutes use a seam press to be sure the seams stick together. Also, re-inspect for bubbles that may need to be smoothed out.

13. 

    Keep repeating until the room is entirely wall papered and finish up by trimming along outlet sockets, base boards, and moldings.

14. Congratulations! You should have a fresh new look to your room and a sense of accomplishment.

Tips & Warnings

• Check for specific directions on the wallpaper that you buy
• Remove old wallpaper before applying new
• Use caution on ladders & make sure they are on a sturdy surface
• Shut off electricity before working with or around outlets

[abeautifulwall]

on 11/4/2009 Love this article, ver informative! Do you still needing help and u live in San Diego call me at 619-972-6298 or visit us at www.sandiegopaperhanger.blogspot.com