How to Hang Wallpaper

Clear all furniture, pictures, wall nails, and any other obstructions from the wall to be papered. At the mains, turn off the power to any outlets in the room to prevent an accident. Cover the floor with protective sheeting such as a tarpaulin or dust sheet, to avoid marking it. Set up a work table in the middle of the room to be used to roll out the wallpaper and cut it to size as required.

Fill in any obvious wall blemishes with some drywall compound and a broad knife. If this step is not taken, unsightly blemishes will appear through the wallpaper after it has been applied. When the compound is dry, sand the area flat using a sanding block.

Measure the height of the wall on which the wallpaper will be hung. Roll out the wallpaper on the work table and mark the wall’s height on it with a pencil, marking again with several inches added on to be 100% sure that it will be large enough to fit the wall.

Fold the wallpaper at the mark and make a crease across in a straight line. Cut the wallpaper at this crease line using the Stanley knife.

Apply the wallpaper adhesive to the back of the wallpaper using a brush.

To make it easier to apply the wallpaper to the wall, fold the paper lightly as seen in picture.

It is important to apply the first sheet of wallpaper correctly as it will act as a guide to for the remaining sheets. Place the wallpaper against the wall and leave the end with excess at the top.

Starting from the centre then moving out in all directions, smooth the paper out with a wallpaper brush or broad knife to remove any air bubbles.

Crease the wallpaper into the skirting board using a scraper, this will give a clean line to cut the excess wallpaper. Using a sharp knife, trim wallpaper at the crease.

Hold the dry wallpaper up to the wall, next to the first sheet to match the pattern.

Mark the top of the new paper so the patterns align, and measure out a length of wallpaper. Cut, paste and fold as before.

Apply the second sheet of wallpaper like before, making sure the pattern is matching.

When you come close to an unmovable object such as a door frame or light switch, place the wallpaper on the wall surrounding it as per usual, and then follow the steps below.

With your knife, make two diagonal incisions in the area of loose wallpaper hanging over the obstacle. This will allow you to see its exact position instead of simply guessing where to cut. Cut out the shape as necessary.

Smooth the wallpaper around the obstacle and trim off any excess using a sharp knife.

Wipe any access adhesive from skirting boards, sockets or doors.