How to Apply Wallpaper: A Simple Guide
Transforming a room with wallpaper can be a quick and dramatic way to refresh your space. Here’s a friendly, step-by-step guide to help you achieve professional results with ease.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials:
- Wallpaper rolls
- Wallpaper paste
- A wallpaper brush or roller
- A smoothing tool
- A utility knife
- A measuring tape
- A pencil
- A level
- A sponge or cloth
- A bucket of water
- A drop cloth
Step 2: Prepare the Walls
Proper wall preparation is key to a flawless finish. Follow these steps to get your walls ready:
- Clean the Walls: Use a sponge or cloth and mild soap to remove any dirt, dust, or grease. Rinse with clean water and let the walls dry completely.
- Fill Any Holes or Cracks: Use a filler to patch up any imperfections. Once dry, sand the areas smooth.
- Prime the Walls: Apply a primer if your walls are very porous or if you’re covering a dark color. This ensures the wallpaper adheres well.
Step 3: Measure and Cut the Wallpaper
- Measure the Wall Height: Using your measuring tape, measure the height of the wall. Add a few extra inches to allow for trimming at the top and bottom.
- Cut the Wallpaper: Roll out the wallpaper and cut it to the measured length. If your wallpaper has a pattern, ensure you match the pattern when cutting additional strips.
Step 4: Apply the Adhesive
- Prepare the Adhesive: If you’re using pre-pasted wallpaper, soak it in water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For unpasted wallpaper, apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper using a brush or roller.
- Book the Wallpaper: Fold the wallpaper gently, paste side in, to allow the paste to activate. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 5: Hang the Wallpaper
- Start at the Corner: Begin in a corner near the top of the wall. Align the edge of the wallpaper with your vertical guideline (use a level to draw a straight line).
- Smooth the Wallpaper: Use your smoothing tool to gently press the wallpaper onto the wall, starting from the center and working your way out to remove any air bubbles.
- Trim Excess Wallpaper: Use a utility knife to trim the excess wallpaper at the top and bottom edges.
Step 6: Match Patterns and Continue
- Align the Next Strip: Match the pattern at the edge of the first strip and repeat the smoothing and trimming process.
- Seam Rolling: Use a seam roller to ensure the edges are securely adhered and seamless.
Step 7: Clean Up
- Wipe Away Excess Paste: Use a damp sponge to gently wipe away any paste residue from the surface of the wallpaper.
- Enjoy Your New Space: Allow the wallpaper to dry completely and admire your handiwork!
Additional Tips
- Buy Extra Rolls: Always purchase an extra roll or two to account for pattern matching and mistakes.
- Take Your Time: Don’t rush the process. Taking your time ensures a professional finish.