How to Hang Wallpaper

Depending on the type of paper you’re hanging, you’ll need: paint roller or brushes, scissors and a sharp-bladed knife, ruler, wallpaper trough, smoothing brush, adhesive, sealer or wall size depending on your wall surface, plumb line, ladder, bucket, drop cloth.

STEP 1

Ensure wall surface is clean, dusted, dry and sound. For traditional non-pasted and pre-pasted papers, apply the appropriate size to the wall according to the manufacturer’s directions, so that the paper is easy to position and will stick properly.

STEP 2

Make a plumb line by cutting a length of string approximately two thirds the height of the wall and tying a small weight to the bottom so that it will hang straight when attached to the wall.

STEP 3

If using non-pasted and pre-pasted papers, measure the length of the wallpaper drops, from the skirting to the ceiling,
allowing 5cm top and bottom for trimming. Follow the directions on the roll if allowing for a pattern match. Paste-the-wall papers don’t require trimming to length.

STEP 4

Pasting:
Traditional non-pasted papers: Apply the recommended paste to two-thirds of the drop, fold the top of the strip down so that paste rests against paste. Paste the rest of the paper and fold the same way again. Roll loosely and leave
to rest for the amount of time specified in the instructions on the roll.
Pre-pasted papers:
Roll the drop loosely from the bottom with the pattern on the inside and place in the trough-full of water for 15 seconds.
Paste-the-wall papers:
Apply the recommended paste to the wall with a brush or roller, according to the instructions on the roll.

STEP 5

Hanging:
Start at and work away from the main source of natural light, aiming to finish in an inconspicuous corner. Measure from a corner to the width of the paper, less 15mm. Secure the plumb line to the highest point of the wall, and hang the
wallpaper along its line, working back into the corner, so that the extra 15mm wraps around onto the next wall. Step up to the ceiling with the paper. Press it against the wall, leaving 5mm for trimming along the ceiling. Moving down, position the paper against the plumb line and smooth it over fully to remove any air bubbles. Sponge with clean water to remove any extra paste.