Wallpaper Wednesday - Tips and Tricks
This summer we have had a series called Wallpaper Wednesday. I’ve received a lot of questions and comments from readers and followers. Many are interested in adding wallpaper to their home but find the process intimidating. And trust me, I get it! Hopefully, after reading some of the posts about various rooms and the post regarding various ways to incorporate wallpaper, you are more confident in choosing a pattern that will work for your space.
Let me continue by saying that I am by no means an expert in wallpaper application! I have hung peel-and-stick wallpaper several times but still have so much to learn. However, after completing several projects, I can confidently say that there are a few things that have helped me tremendously. Let’s look at a few things you may need to get started.
HOW-TO
First of all, I am a visual learner. Watching videos on YouTube is always a good start for me. Here are a few I find helpful:
(These 2 give great step-by-step instructions)
This one from Grace in My Space
(and this one gives step-by-step instruction PLUS a bunch of tips on how to fix common problems)
If you are more the “read a book about it” type then might I suggest this e-book. It provides a lot of good information on the basics of hanging wallpaper and things to consider when ordering, hanging, etc.
TOOLS
Ok, now that you are well versed in the process of wallpapering, there are some basic tools you will need. First, let me suggest this inexpensive wallpaper kit.
If you are like me and have a million razor blades/x-actos and don’t need another, then you can always use a squeegee like this one. The pliable surface is perfect for smoothing your wallpaper and getting out bubbles.
I like to use a ladder like this one. It provides a working surface which is crucial. Trust me, you do not want to go up and down a ladder searching for necessary tools once the paper backing has been removed from your wallpaper.
Obviously, hanging your wallpaper straight is, well, highly recommended. Whatever you do, do not assume that the corner where 2 walls meet or where the wall meets the ceiling is level/plumb! Do yourself a favor and use a level. The longer the level, the easier it is to draw a straight line that will actually be helpful.
My personal preference is to use a laser level like this one. Are these more expensive? Absolutely. Are they worth it? 100%! These can show both the vertical and horizontal planes and can be moved easily. You don’t have to worry about the level slipping against the wall when you are drawing your lines. Not to mention if you decide to tackle a task requiring more detailed lines (think board and batten or geometric slat walls) in the future, it will definitely come in handy. However, if hanging wallpaper is as complex as you want to go in your DIY career, stick to a traditional level.
Once you’ve hung the wallpaper, you will need to cut it in a straight line. Many levels are not exactly straight on the edges and don’t make an ideal tool for cutting a straight line. Instead consider using a straight edge like this one. Remember that the longer the straight edge, the more pliable they may be. You may also not need to cut super long lengths (e.g. in small spaces, angled corners, etc.) so the longer straight edge might not be the best option. Consider something 12-24”.
A FEW IMPORTANT TIPS
Make sure the wall is smooth and not covered in dust before you start. If there is a small hole from a picture that was hanging on the wall, not a big deal. If the previous resident left a gaping hole with their fist, well, that will be noticeable, even when covered with wallpaper. IF there is a large amount of dust on the wall (say, from sanding the wall/construction), the wallpaper will not adhere well and you will waste a lot of time.
YOU ARE WORKING WITH A GIANT STICKER AND IT WILL STICK TO ITSELF! That is basically unavoidable. You will want to remove enough of the paper backing to be able to work with the wallpaper but not the entire backing. This will result in a giant wadded mess of wallpaper, a bunch of wasted money, and the need for a bottle of wine. Don’t do this to yourself. Work in ~12-18” sections.
When ordering, carefully measure your space. Determine the area of your space and the area one roll will cover. Divide the area to be covered by the area each roll covers and that’s how many rolls you need. When in doubt, ORDER EXTRA!
PAY ATTENTION TO THE “REPEAT” DISTANCE! This is the distance between when the pattern starts and then, well, repeats. In other words, when you are lining up your subsequent rows of wallpaper and ensuring the pattern matches, you will inevitably have to leave excess at the top to get the 2 pieces to match. If you are ordering rolls that are close to the length of your wall but there is an 18” repeat, then you won’t have enough. The site romandecoratingproducts.com says it better:
“ A pattern repeat is the distance between 2 matching design elements on a roll of wallpaper. This distance helps determine how many rolls you will need.
For example, wallpapers with no pattern repeat can be matched along the seam anywhere. With no pattern to match, the second strip can be hung anywhere along the seam. Patterns with a larger repeat will take more paper to match at the seam and will result in more waste at the ceiling and floor.”
For peel-and-stick wallpaper, you will want to overlap the pieces ever so slightly. There will be some shrinkage and this will allow the wall to look seamless further down the road.
There is a good chance that the wallpaper will not magically and perfectly meet once you have reached the end of the room. Find the least noticeable corner of your room. This is the spot where you will want your wallpaper to meet.
Have fun! It’s just wallpaper! It’s just a sticker that is totally removable. If you love it - great! If you hate it - take it down! If you need to fix it - try it again! That is the beauty of peel-and-stick wallpaper! It’s not permanent and is so easy to do.
So there you a go, a basic overview of hanging peel-and-stick wallpaper. Are there more comprehensive tutorials? Yes. Do you have to be an expert before jumping in? No way! Now what are you waiting for? Go buy some wallpaper and get started!
Not sure which style to buy? Check out my other Wallpaper Wednesday posts here:
Have you tried hanging peel-and-stick wallpaper yet? Leave a comment below or tag me in your photos on Instagram (@tidalinteriorsnc)!
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