Installing wallpaper can definitely make a huge impact on any room, though it also depends on the color and the design you choose. As walls and corners aren’t often aligned, please don’t rely on them as a guide when you hang the wallpaper.
Where To Start:
Ideally, you should start at the corner and hang the first length of wallpaper on a wall with no windows or doors. By doing so, you can hang a full length from the ceiling until the top of the skirting board.
Also, it is best to work away from the window, so the wallpaper edges won’t cast a shadow if they slightly overlap. Try to prevent having to apply narrow strips against a door or a window. If needed, cut the first length in vertical half along the edge that will overlap the corner.
Lastly, if the wallpaper of your choice has a large pattern, it’s a good idea to place the first length over a fireplace or to another focal point in your home. Then, slowly work away from it in both directions to make the design continuously even. Complete the area first before working your way to the rest of the room.
How To Hang The First Length Of Wallpaper:
It’s okay to take all the time you need when hanging wallpaper. However, be especially careful with the first length, as it’s important to get that one straight and even.
Pro tip – Take out every single one of your wall fittings before you begin this task, but remember to leave the wall plugs in place. Mark each position by sticking a matchstick (head broken off) into the plug, leaving it slightly protruding from the surface.
As you hang the wallpaper, bring it over each marked area and press the wallpaper onto the matchstick to puncture the paper. After that, smooth the paper with a paperhanging brush. When the wallpaper is quite dry, take out the matchstick and place the wall fitting once again.
Pro tip – Keeping your scissors clean. Dip your wallpaper scissors into a jar of warm water from time to time to loosen the build-up of paste.
Step 1 – To prep the first length of wallpaper, use a spirit level or plumb line to draw a line from the ceiling up to the skirting board, approximately 480mm out from the corner. This will then allow a 50mm overlap onto the window wall.
Step 2 – Place the first pasted length at the top of the wall with its right-hand edge moving down the vertical line. It is easier if you can keep the left-hand edge of the wallpaper off the wall as well.
Try to leave about 50mm of spare wallpaper above the top of the wall for trimming. Hold the wallpaper at both sides, and be sure that you don’t let the lower part of the paper suddenly drop, as it could stretch or tear.
Step 3 – Right after you line up the right-hand edge, evenly smooth the wallpaper down with a paper-hanging brush. Do it from the center of the paper out to the edges, occasionally checking for bubbles.
Step 4 – With the first length of the paper in place, crease the top and bottom against the ceiling and skirting board junctions. Then, lightly pull the wallpaper away from the wall and cut along the creases with wallpaper scissors, and evenly brush the trimmed edges back into place.
Step 5 – Stick the next length of the wallpaper against the previous one, matching the pattern at eye level. When you’ve already placed two or three pieces, run the seam roller gently down the joins, but be sure not to press down on any textured paper heavily, or you’ll likely flatten out the pattern.
There you have it! It may not sound so simple, but in time, you’ll surely get the hang of it. Please browse through our page at Go Banana to discover more DIY ideas!
