Installing Wallpaper 101
Wallpaper is a wonderful addition to any space. It has come along way from the stuff our grandmothers used that the rest of us decades later painstakingly removed trying all the tools and at home solutions like fabric softener to get that stuff off. I’m sure many of us vowed to never wallpaper again. Advancements in the wallpaper industry in regards to easy removal for those of us who are commitment phobes has come along way. I’ve used wallpaper in my last four homes- from pre-pasted to the stuff you need to apply the paste to the peel and stick. I have even wallpapered a ceiling! It turned out wonderful by the way. Unfortunately, it was long before social media days where you documented such things.
Most recently, I installed wallpaper in our main floor bath. I shared our plans in a previous post that you can check out here. The wallpaper I used is the peel and stick kind. Any time I share that I wallpapered something, I hear from so many of you about how overwhelming or frustrating you become when working with wallpaper so I thought I would put together this post for you. I also shared my process with video inside our facebook group if you would like to join us. We would love to have you. Hey! invite a friend too because everything is better when friends come along.
If this is your first time installing wallpaper, peel and stick is affordable and easy to install. It is also a great product for those of you who do not like commitment and want peace of mind that it can be easily removed if you tire of it.
For first timers, I also recommend choosing a paper that doesn’t necessarily have a pattern so you don’t need to worry about pattern matching. However, if you do decide on a pattern, choose one that is easy to match up.
In this video I am installing a Peel and Stick faux grasscloth.
Easy Steps to Installing Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Step 1: You will want to decide the best place to start. I knew by the width of my paper and the length of my wall that I would end up with a small piece at at the end so I decided to finish up behind the door.
Step 2: Do not assume your starting corner is straight or level. I am not starting on a corner so I measured the width of my paper which was 20.5” and made a mark on the wall. Using my level and a pencil, I lightly drew my vertical line on the wall. This will ensure my first piece is level. If you are starting in a corner, you will have the paper extend over onto the adjacent wall just a bit while ensuring you are staying level with your line. You will trim the excess off once finished.
Step 3: Measure your length plus account for a little excess as while you never assume your corners are straight, the same can be said for your ceiling. You will trim any excess later.
Step 4: Cut your piece to length and peel back just a small portion of the backing to get you started. Line up with the ceiling. Again if your ceilings aren’t straight, you may need to go up onto the ceiling a bit and trim it later.
Step 5: Using a plastic card (I used my gas card) you will start to affix the paper to the wall working out any air bubbles as you go. It is important since this is your first piece that it is level with your pencil line.
NOTE: It’s important to not overwork the paper and to lightly smooth out any bubbles.
Step 6: Preparing your next piece. If you are using a patterned paper, you will need to work with the roll and pattern match. You can’t cut this piece to length like you did with the first one. Depending on the size of your pattern repeat, don’t be alarmed by the wastage. The bigger the pattern, the bigger the repeat the therefore more wastage.
Step 7: Since I didn’t have to worry about pattern matching, I was able to cut my piece to length. Apply the same as the first piece making sure you are level.
IMPORTANT: Do not overlap anymore or any less than 1/32” of an inch. It is important you do not overwork or overstretch the paper. I have seen professional wallpaper installers totally botch an install because they overstretched and overworked the paper. What happens is you will end up with gaps once the paper relaxes.
Step 8: Once you have all your pieces installed, you will take a putty knife and your x-acto knife (with a new blade) and trim off your excess.
What do you think? Ready to give it a try? I also love using wallpaper as an accent to the backs of cabinets, bookcases, etc. That would be a great first time project to try.
