How to Hang Wallpaper

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Woodie's DIY will show you how to hang wallpaper. Wallpaper is really back in fashion so if you follow Trevor's steps you'll have a room to envy.

How to do it

Step 1

Prepare your walls. Make sure the walls are clean and free from dust. Fill in any cracks or holes in the wall with filler. When dry, sand down for a smooth finish. If hanging on fresh plaster or raw plasterboard, prime the walls first with a sealer to help the wallpaper stick. If hanging to old walls, remove any old wallpaper and sand down any chipped paint.

Step 2

If you are papering a feature wall, start in the corner. Measure the width of the paper out from the corner and then use a spirit level to rule a straight line down the wall. You could also use a plumb-line for this purpose. You will use this to line up your first strip of wallpaper.

If wallpapering an entire room, your start point will also be your finish point so pick an area where a miss match would be less obvious. Good starting points are above a door or behind a curtain.

Step 3

Measure your first strip of wallpaper against the length of the wall. Line the top of your sheet with the ceiling and let the roll drop. Ensure it is in line with your vertical line on the wall.

Step 4

Make a small tear in the bottom of the strip just under the skirting board so you know where to cut the paper. Always leave extra length for trimming later.

Step 5

Fold the wallpaper square against itself at the tear and cut along the straight fold line.

Step 6

Get your paste ready. If using a ready mixed paste read the instructions before applying. If using a paste that needs to be mixed, read the instructions on the packet before mixing.

Step 7

Always align the wallpaper with the near edge of the pasting table. This will ensure that you are always working on a clean surface.

Step 8

Apply the wallpaper paste to the back of the wallpaper using a pasting brush starting from the centre and working to the edges. Make sure that all areas of the paper are covered with the paste. When you have pasted the length of the table, fold the paper so you can paste the bottom.

Step 9

Fold the top end of the paper down to the middle with the pasted sides touching and then repeat with the bottom end of the paper. Then fold these two halves against each other. Be careful not to crease the wallpaper. Then leave the pasted paper to soak according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 10

To hang the wallpaper, start at the ceiling and unfold the top half of the strip carefully. Gently place the side edge of the strip along the measured line. When the paper is lined up correctly, drop the bottom half and gently smooth the wallpaper against the wall starting at the centre and working out towards the edges.

Step 11

Use the tips of your fingers to smooth out the wallpaper and to avoid dirt from you hands getting on the paper.

Step 12

Using a large straight edge, such as a putty knife, press the paper against the skirting board and trim the excess paper using a utility knife. Smooth out any bubbles in the paper using a paperhanging brush or a damp sponge.

Step 13

If working with patterned wallpaper you must match the pattern of the second sheet with the first. Roll out the wallpaper next to where your first strip is on the wall. Match up the pattern and make a slight tear in the paper where it meets the ceiling and skirting board. Always allow extra length for trimming later.

Step 14

Fold, crease and cut the paper at the top and bottom as you did with the first strip. Then apply paste using the same method as before.

Step 15

Then hang the second strip on the wall and take extra care to match the patterns. Smooth out using the tips of your fingers, then use a brush to smooth out any air bubbles.

Step 16

Run along the seam of the two strips with a seam roller.

Step 17

To paper around sockets or light fittings, make an imprint in the paper around the edge of the fitting using your fingers. Then using a sharp utility knife, make an X inside the area you have imprinted.

Step 18

Cut away bit by bit and then place the hole you have made over the socket. Trim away any excess paper and always take extra care not to mark the fitting with your blade. Wipe any paste off the fitting using a damp cloth.

Step 19

Use this same method as you continue to paper around the room.

Step 20

If you’re finishing in a corner measure the distance from the last full strip of wallpaper to the corner and add an inch to the distance. Transfer this measurement to your next strip of wallpaper and cut to size.

Step 21

Paste and hang the strip as normal, then use a wide flat edge to press the paper into the corner. Finally trim off any excess paper with a utility knife.