How to Hang Wallpaper

The key to know how to hang wallpaper is all in the planning and preparation. The first thing to do is measure the room to determine the total linear footage e.g. (if a room is 12' X 12' the linear footage would be 4 walls X 12' = 48 linear feet. Next multiply this by the height of the walls, let's say 10'. This is 48' X 10' = 480 ft2. Don't worry about trying to subtract the door and window areas, it will not make any difference to the amount of paper needed. Check the pattern repeat number on the roll label to get the usable square feet per roll e.g. 20ft2, now divide 480 ft2 by 20 ft2 = 24 rolls needed. Also, ensure that all rolls have the same batch number.

It is extremely important to make sure the walls are smooth and blemish free. Repair any cracks and holes using an appropriate filler and sand smooth. Once the walls have been repaired, wash them using hot water and a soap solution like dish liquid or better still, sugar soap. Wash using a sponge, do not soak the walls, use light pressure and allow to dry overnight.

Now that your walls are smooth and dry, it is time to apply a good quality wallpaper primer-sealer. Apply the primer as you would if you were painting the room, roll on the primer ensuring a nice even application. Let it dry as per the manufacturer's instructions on the tin. You are now ready for the next step in how to hang your wallpaper, which is mapping out a plan.

Starting Point - You want to start and finish in an inconspicuous place like in a corner, or behind a door. Now look at any objects like doors and windows that you will have to wallpaper around, and plan your seam placement accordingly. You will want to avoid having seams right near a door or window frame, or in a corner, because you will have to cut a narrow strip, and these are likely to rip or tear.

Seam Placement - Measure the width of your wallpaper roll, and using a tape measure and pencil, mark where your starting point will be. Continue marking the width of the paper around the room, and if a mark is too close to a window edge for example, just move your starting point.

Visualization - If the wallpaper has a design e.g. (floral), match up your paper from roll to roll, and think about where you want the pattern to meet the ceiling. Wallpaper that has a random pattern should be reverse hung, which means you should reverse the direction of each piece of wallpaper that you hang. This is done to avoid any shade variations and makes for a professional look.

You are now ready to start hanging your wallpaper. Firstly, clear the room of all furniture if possible. If this is not possible move furniture away from the walls and cover with plastic drop sheets. Lay canvas drop sheets on the floor. Now gather together all your necessary tools and equipment. These will include; paint roller and tray, smoothing tool, tape measure, pencil, scissors, sharp knife, straight edge or trim guide, sponges, bucket, seam adhesive, seam roller, garbage bags, spirit level, step-ladder, work table. You can find all these at your local hardware store. You may also need wallpaper paste or pre-pasted activator depending on the type of rolls you have purchased.

Cut your paper 4" longer than the height of the walls, that is 2" longer at the top and 2" the bottom. This is for wastage, and also allow extra length for design match-up, so this length could be longer. Now using your pencil draw a vertical plumb line about 0.5" closer to the corner of the room than the actual width of the roll. This is so you do not have a gap if the corner is not square.

Hanging - Lay your first cut piece of paper on the work table and roll on your adhesive or pre- pasted activator. Fold the paper over on itself paste to paste, lining up the edges. Do not crease. Hang your paper from top to bottom, lining up the edge with your plumb line. Now gently smooth the paper using your hands and a damp sponge. Follow this up with your smoothing tool using gentle pressure. This will work out any bubbles. Now use your straight edge and sharp knife to cut off the excess at the top, bottom, and corner.

Hang the next piece in the same way, butt the edges together, do not overlap. Now use the seam roller to GENTLY roll the seams, being careful not to force out any adhesive. Work around the room in the same way, matching the pattern, butting the seams and smoothing to work out any bubbles. When you come to a door or window, use your scissors to make a relief cut. Hold the paper firmly and make a 45 degree cut to the corner point of the door or window. Smooth the paper with your smoothing tool, and cut away the excess. Continue on in this fashion, and before you know it, your room will be finished. When you are learning how to hang wallpaper it is not difficult, as long as you follow these steps.