How to Hang Wallpaper
Wallpaper is making a comeback: It can add bold personality to your main bedroom, nursery, bathroom, or other area in your home. It may seem intimidating, but you can DIY your wallpapering project. This How to Hang Wallpaper guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from prepping your walls to achieving a flawless finish.
Prepare the Walls First
Proper wall preparation is crucial for a flawless wallpaper finish. Before you start hanging your wallpaper, here's what you'll need to do:
- Clear the Space: Remove any furniture, pictures, decor items, or wall hangings. Turn off power to the area, then remove outlet covers, switch covers, and other hardware.
- Repair Walls: Give your walls a thorough inspection, patch any holes, cracks, or uneven surfaces, and sand smooth. If you're installing over old wallpaper that’s peeling, bubbling, or damaged, you'll need to remove the old paper and fix any wall damage before proceeding.
- Clean the Surface: Using a damp sponge or cloth, wipe down the walls to remove dust, cobwebs, or any residue that might prevent the wallpaper from adhering properly. Let the walls dry completely before proceeding.
- Apply Primer, If Required: A coat of primer can help create a smooth, even surface for your wallpaper. Always check wallpaper manufacturer requirements to see if you need to prime the walls first, and use a primer specifically designed for your wallpaper type.
Tips for Hanging Wallpaper
The wallpaper hanging process differs depending on what type of wallpaper you choose. The most common types are traditional unglued, pre-glued, and peel-and-stick. Follow these quick tips for applying each type:
Traditional Wallpaper
When installing wallpaper without pre-applied adhesive, prepare a paste table or other long, clean surface and gather your tools: a paste brush, a sharp utility knife, a seam roller, a smoothing tool, and a damp sponge. Then, follow these steps to install the wallpaper.
- Measure: Carefully measure your wall and cut wallpaper strips to the desired length, adding a few extra inches on top and bottom for trimming.
- Paste: Following the manufacturer's instructions, prepare the wallpaper paste. Spread the paste evenly on the back of the prepared wallpaper section, coating all edges well. Let the paste sit as recommended by the manufacturer (usually 5 to 10 minutes) to allow for proper absorption.
- Hang: Starting from a doorway or window corner, carefully align the wallpaper section at the wall. It may be helpful to mark a plumb line—a straight line measured and drawn on the wall in pencil—to ensure you’re aligning your sections properly. For patterned wallpaper, ensure the pattern aligns with the previous section as you apply.
- Smooth It Out: Use a wallpaper smoothing tool or a clean, damp cloth to gently smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles, working your way from the center, outwards. This takes patience, so don’t rush the process.
- Trim the Excess: Once the wallpaper section is hung, use a sharp utility knife and a straightedge to trim off the excess paper at the top and bottom.
Pre-Pasted wallpaper eliminates the messy step of mixing paste. Simply activate the pre-pasted adhesive on the back of the wallpaper with water following the manufacturer's instructions and hang it up using the same smoothing and trimming techniques as traditional wallpaper.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Applying peel-and-stick wallpaper uses a similar process but eliminates the need for paste or water. Simply peel back the liner a few inches at the top, align the wallpaper with the plumb line, and smooth it down onto the wall. Gradually peel away the liner as you work your way down, using a smoothing tool to ensure it adheres well.
Do You Overlap Wallpaper Seams?
For traditional wallpaper, you won't overlap the seams. Instead, you'll place the edges of the wallpaper strips next to each other, creating a butt joint. Pre-pasted and peel-and-stick wallpapers often have a slight “selvage” edge to help guide placement for a seamless finish, so follow manufacturer instructions for overlapping these edges.
Quick Tips for Finishing Touches
Don't let the most common wallpapering concerns slow you down: With some simple techniques, you can get perfectly straight seams, eliminate air bubbles, and wallpaper corners like a pro. Follow this advice for wallpapering finishing touches:
- Precision is Key: Instead of cutting freehand, use a sharp utility knife and a straightedge to trim any excess wallpaper at the ceiling, baseboards, and around windows and doors.
- Matching the Design: For patterned wallpaper, ensure the print on each section aligns with the one next to it before adhering it to the wall.
- Plan for Corners: For corners that turn inward, slightly overlap the first wallpaper piece onto the adjoining wall, then wallpaper the next wall. Use a sharp utility knife to cut a straight line through both overlapped sections to create a clean seam. For outer corners, you can smooth a wallpaper section to bend around the corner for a smooth finish.
- Handle Outlets and Switches: For safety, turn off the power at the breaker box before wallpapering. After removing the outlet or switch covers, hang your wallpaper to cover the opening. Carefully cut an “X” through the wallpaper at the outlet or switch opening. Fold back the flaps, trim using a sharp utility knife, and tuck the excess flaps into the opening—ensuring you avoid any wires. You can reattach the cover plate when complete.
- Smooth Out Air Bubbles: Small air bubbles are common during application. Use a smoothing tool or a damp cloth to gently push them towards the edges and out of the wallpaper.
With preparation, the right tools, and these handy tips, you're well on your way to achieving a professional-looking wallpapered space. Experiment with patterns and colors to express your unique style. For even more decor inspiration, browse our Guides to see what’s trending.