Learning how to apply wallpaper can help you revamp an entire room of your home or add your personality into the decor of your new business. And, it’s easy to fall in love with wallpaper with all the plush designs and beautiful patterns decorating Pinterest boards and even restaurants. Choosing the wallpaper design of your dreams is no easy task, and once you’ve taken your wall measurements and purchased enough wallpaper for your project, you might want to try hanging wallpaper yourself.
Did you know? The first wallpaper installation appeared in ancient China as early as 200 B.C and was installed by pasting rice paper onto the walls. Hanging wallpaper wouldn’t become popular in Europe until the 12th century, when smoother fibers were invented and painting to print on paper became easier. Today, wallpapering a room has made yet another exciting comeback and lucky for all of us, the Internet has been invented to give us the tutorials on how to install wallpaper that our brave ancestors did not have.
Wallpaper Installation Tools
- Wallpaper, sectioned according to pattern
- Chalk line
- Level
- Paint roller
- Scissors
- Wall primer
- Straightedge
- Tape measure
- Taping knife
- Utility knife
Hanging Wallpaper in 10 steps
1. Determine how much wallpaper you need
Make sure you calculate accurate measurements so you don’t end up with too much or too little.
2. Cut the wallpaper to size
Trim the wallpaper to the perfect fit by using an exacto knife and cutting vertically.
3. Smooth out imperfections
Patch up and sand any holes in the wall to make sure you have a seamless surface.
4. Clean the working area
Wash the walls with soap and water ensuring a dirt-free space before starting your wallpaper installation.
5. Prime the wall first
Prime the walls with an acrylic primer (or you can use wallpaper sizing) and let the wall dry to provide a smoother and even base for the wallpaper installation.
6. Be precise with measurements
Using a ruler for guidance, mark a line with pencil on the wall to know where and how to apply wallpaper.
7. Apply pressure to the wallpaper
Press the wallpaper directly to the wall with the heels of your hands until the edge lines up with the pencil mark.
8. Tailor the wallpaper to your preference
Use a straightedge blade for standard wallpaper to smooth the edges, bottoms, and corners, or a soft bristle brush for more fragile fabrics.
9. Trim any excess wallpaper
Use the utility knife to cut off the extra wallpaper at the top, bottom and/or corners. If you have a large piece that’s a couple inches wide, you can use it to start the next section or wall.
10. Close any gaps
Fill in any gaps with caulk that might appear between the strips or panels of wallpaper and wipe away the excess with a damp cloth.
Easy Wallpaper Installation With Taskrabbit
Wallpaper installation can be an easy job, but it’s not a small task. Whether you’re short on time or you just don’t trust yourself with Anthopologie-priced wallpaper, you can rest-assured that our Taskers will be able to get the job done, worry-free. And, you can be sitting in a room with tiny french bulldogs freckled, so elegantly on your walls… if that’s your vibe.
