How to Hang Wallpaper
Master the art of wallpapering - from measuring to matching patterns and trimming corners.
Difficulty
Medium
Time
1-2 days
Cost
£60 - £200
Before You Start
Make sure walls are clean, dry and smooth. Remove old wallpaper completely - papering over old paper causes bubbles and peeling. Turn off electricity at the consumer unit before papering around sockets.
Wallpapering might seem intimidating, but with the right technique it is a genuinely achievable DIY project. The key is patience and preparation. A feature wall is the perfect first project - it lets you learn the technique on just one wall before committing to a whole room. Modern paste-the-wall papers have also made the process much easier than traditional paste-the-paper types.
What You Will Need
Tools
- - Pasting table
- - Wallpaper paste brush or roller
- - Smoothing brush or plastic smoother
- - Seam roller
- - Sharp craft knife and spare blades
- - Spirit level or plumb line
- - Tape measure and pencil
- - Wallpaper scissors
- - Sponge and bucket of clean water
Materials
- - Wallpaper rolls (measure room and add 10%)
- - Wallpaper paste (match to paper type)
- - Lining paper (recommended for best results)
- - Size/PVA solution (to seal walls)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Walls
Strip any old wallpaper using a steamer or scoring tool and warm water. Fill holes and sand smooth. Apply a coat of wallpaper size (diluted PVA) to seal the wall - this stops the paste soaking into the plaster too quickly and gives you more time to position the paper.
Measure and Cut Your Lengths
Measure the wall height and add 10cm (5cm top and bottom for trimming). Cut your first length. If your paper has a pattern repeat, check the label for the repeat distance and allow extra on each length so you can match the pattern.
Find Your Starting Point
For a feature wall, find the centre of the wall and draw a vertical plumb line. Hang your first strip so its edge sits on this line. For a full room, start next to the main window and work away from the light so seams are less visible.
Apply Paste
For paste-the-paper types, lay the cut length face-down on a pasting table and brush paste evenly from the centre outwards. Fold the paper in on itself (paste to paste) and leave to soak for the time stated on the paste instructions. For paste-the-wall papers, simply roll paste directly onto the wall.
Hang the First Strip
Position the top of the paper at the ceiling line, leaving about 5cm overlapping onto the ceiling. Align the edge precisely with your plumb line. Use a smoothing brush to press the paper onto the wall, working from the centre outwards to push out air bubbles.
Match Patterns and Hang Subsequent Strips
Slide the next strip into position, butting the edge tightly against the previous strip. Match the pattern carefully before pressing down. Use a seam roller along the join (but not on embossed paper as it flattens the texture).
Trim the Excess
Use the back of your scissors to score along the ceiling and skirting board lines. Peel the paper back gently and cut along the crease with sharp scissors or a craft knife. Press back into place and wipe off any excess paste with a damp sponge.
Handle Corners
Never try to wrap more than 2-3cm around an internal corner. Measure from the last full strip to the corner, add 2cm, and cut a strip to that width. Hang it so the 2cm wraps around. Then draw a new plumb line on the next wall and hang the next full strip overlapping the 2cm turn.
Pro Tip: Pattern Matching Made Easy
Before cutting each new length, unroll it next to the previous one on the floor and match the pattern. Mark the cutting point with a pencil. This wastes slightly more paper but saves hours of frustration on the wall.
Pro Tip: Lining Paper First
Hanging lining paper horizontally before wallpapering gives you a perfectly smooth surface and dramatically improves the final result. It is an extra step that professional decorators almost always do.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- - Not using a plumb line - walls are rarely perfectly straight, so your first strip must be truly vertical
- - Forgetting to account for pattern repeat - you can waste several rolls if you do not plan cuts
- - Stretching the paper when smoothing - it shrinks as it dries and gaps appear at seams
- - Using the wrong paste - vinyl papers need fungicidal paste or mould can grow behind them
- - Rushing the soaking time - paper that has not relaxed properly will bubble and wrinkle
When to Call a Professional
If you have very high ceilings, complex stairwells, or expensive designer wallpaper where mistakes are costly, a professional decorator is worth the investment. Also if walls are badly uneven and need re-plastering first.