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| How to Hang Wallpaper |
How to Hang Wallpaper Like a Pro First strip: Start the wallpaper against an inconspicuous corner or doorway. Hang a plumb line approximately 1/8” from the right side of where the first strip will be placed. Measure from ceiling to floor and add another 3” to allow for wall imperfections. Unroll the wallpaper on a table, measure it, and use a yardstick to draw a straight line across back side of paper. Cut and reroll the strip of wallpaper in reverse (wrong-side out) to lessen the paper’s curling. For pre-pasted wallpaper: Completely submerge rolled-up strip of wallpaper in lukewarm tray of water for 15 seconds. Fold one end of the pasted side to the middle, Do the same with the opposite end, so that the two ends are touching. Loosely roll the strip and leave it alone to set up for 5 minutes. Then hang immediately, beginning from the ceiling. My own recommendations for pre-pasted or nonpasted wallpaper: Mix wallpaper paste as directed on label. Turn the cut strip of wallpaper wrong-side up on table. Apply paste using a large paintbrush. Make sure you cover every square inch of the back side of the wallpaper strip. Especially make sure the edges are pasted. If you leave a tiny spot anywhere unpasted, it will bubble up when drying on the wall. Spread the paste smoothly and evenly with the paintbrush. Fold one end of the pasted side to the middle (pasted sides together). Do the same with the opposite end, so that the two ends are touching in the middle. Loosely roll the strip and leave it alone so that the paper has time to expand for 5 minutes. Then hang the strip immediately, beginning from the ceiling. Hang first strip against the corner where you’ve chosen to begin. Leave 1 ˝” allowance at the ceiling. Use the plumb line to insure a straight edge--because chances are, your walls are NOT straight! Start by laying the pasted side against the prepared wall at the ceiling and stroke with the wallpaper brush from center to outward edges, working your way down toward the floor, gently brushing out air bubbles and excess paste. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off any excess glue from the edges. Also, use wet cloth to wipe the table top after pasting and hanging each strip. If the wallpaper starts going crooked, just peel it off gently to where the problem begins, and start again. If any edges have dried and are not sticking to the wall, use the pasting brush to touch it up now. Unpatterned paper: Moving clockwise around the room, measure the next strip of wallpaper (remember the 3” allowance for ceiling and floor). Follow the steps above for each strip. Patterned paper: Holding the uncut roll near the ceiling, match the pattern and determine how much excess will need trimmed from the top. Remember to leave that 1 ˝” allowance at the top as you cut. Then proceed as in step 1. You will have to match the pattern like this for each strip of wallpaper. Cutting around doorways and windows work the same way--but you will have to use scissors to trim as you hang those strips. These pieces require more time and careful measuring. If you decide to finish trimming edges with a utility knife while the wallpaper is still wet, use a sharp blade and a straight edge yardstick as a cutting guide. If the paper starts to wrinkle or tear, either use sharp scissors or brush it back in place and wait 6-8 hours until the paper is fairly dry. Use extreme caution when papering around electrical outlets or fixtures! Turn electricity off at the breaker box. Remove outlet cover or light fixture plate. When you have hung that strip of wallpaper, immediately cut out the needed hole using scissors. Then adjust the wallpaper strip on the wall. Corners: Walls are always moving and settling. It is recommended that when you reach a corner, you will cut the wallpaper strip vertically and paste it to the two joining walls in two parts. If you just curl it around the corner, the wallpaper will pucker and wrinkle badly as the days and months go by. Hanging a Wallpaper Border Borders can be applied to the top of the wall with ease! They can also break up a humdrum wall like a chair rail, but for much less expense. I like to cut my borders into 8-foot strips, because it is easier to handle in smaller strips. Use the same steps above, as far as pasting and applying the border. If you apply border on top of vinyl wallpaper, experts advise you to use vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive. If you wallpaper in a bathroom that is not vented, I advise you not to use wallpaper border on vinyl wallpaper. The border eventually curls up. Be creative--use borders in kids' rooms, under shelves, around a window, or as a chair rail. You can dress up a room by putting the border at the top of the wall or be different and apply it down by the baseboard. You really can wallpaper like a pro! Each room you tackle gives you more experience and a greater feeling of satisfaction. Your house will be much more comfortable as it begins to take on your personality. |