Installation Tutorial

Installing wallpaper can transform a room, but theprocess requires patience and precision. Whether you’re working with vinyl,fabric-backed, or peel-and-stick wallpaper, this step-by-step guide will helpyou achieve a smooth, professional finish.

1. Prepare Your Tools & Materials

Gather these essentials before you start:

• Wallpaper rolls (measure your walls first toensure you have enough—add 10% extra for mistakes or pattern matching)

• Wallpaper paste (if not pre-pasted) oradhesive (for peel-and-stick, check if it’s already included)

• A clean, sharp utility knife or wallpapercutter

• A measuring tape and pencil

• A spirit level or plumb line (to keep edgesstraight)

• A wallpaper brush or roller (for smoothingout air bubbles)

• A bucket and sponge (for cleaning)

• Drop cloths (to protect floors and furniture)

2. Prepare the Walls

Walls must be clean, smooth, and dry for wallpaper to adhere properly:

• Remove old wallpaper or debris: Scrapeoff any loose paint, dirt, or old wallpaper. Use a wallpaper stripper solutionif needed, then rinse and let dry completely (24–48 hours).

• Fill holes and cracks: Usespackle to patch imperfections, then sand the surface until smooth. Wipe awaydust with a damp sponge.

• Prime the walls (optional but recommended): Applya wallpaper primer or sizing. This helps the paste adhere better and makesfuture removal easier, especially for porous walls like drywall. Let the primerdry fully.

3. Measure & Cut the Wallpaper

• Mark the wall: Use a plumb line or spirit levelto draw a straight vertical line near the corner of your wall. This will beyour guide for the first strip.

• Measure and cut strips: Unrollthe wallpaper and measure the height of your wall, adding 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)to the top and bottom for trimming later. Cut strips to this length.

• Match patterns (if applicable): For patternedwallpaper, align the design on each strip before cutting to ensure continuity.Lay strips flat to avoid creases.

4. Apply Paste (For Non-Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper)

• Pre-pasted wallpaper: Fill aclean bucket with lukewarm water. Submerge each strip (paste-side down) for thetime specified on the packaging. Let it sit for 2–5 minutes to activate thepaste.

• Non-pasted wallpaper: Mix thepaste according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a brush or roller toapply a thin, even layer of paste to the back of the wallpaper, covering edgescompletely. Fold the pasted sides together (don’t crease!) and let it “book”(sit) for 5–10 minutes—this allows the paper to expand and prevents shrinkingafter installation.

5. Hang the First Strip

• Align with the guide line: Startingat the plumb line, carefully position the top of the first strip. Leave theextra length hanging over the ceiling and baseboard.

• Smooth from the center out: Use awallpaper brush or roller to press the paper firmly against the wall, workingfrom the middle toward the edges. This pushes out air bubbles and ensures goodadhesion.

• Trim excess: Once the strip is secure, use autility knife and a straightedge to trim the top and bottom, following theceiling and baseboard lines. Be careful not to cut into the wall itself.

6. Hang Subsequent Strips

• Align patterns (if needed): Forpatterned wallpaper, match the design of the new strip with the one already onthe wall. Overlap edges slightly (1–2 mm) to avoid gaps, then smooth firmly.

• Avoid air bubbles: As you hang each strip, continuesmoothing with a brush or roller. If bubbles form, gently lift the paper andre-smooth—don’t puncture bubbles, as this can damage the design.

• Check for straightness: Use theplumb line to ensure each strip stays vertical. Adjust slightly if neededbefore the paste dries.

7. Handle Corners & Edges

• Inside corners: Hang the strip so it wraps 1–2cm around the corner. On the adjacent wall, start the next strip with a newplumb line, overlapping the corner by 1 cm to hide gaps.

• Outside corners: Wrap the wallpaper around thecorner by 1–2 cm, then trim excess. Smooth firmly to avoid lifting.

• Trim around outlets or switches: Turn offpower to the room first. Cut an “X” in the wallpaper over the outlet, then foldthe flaps into the box and trim excess with a knife.

8. Final Touches

• Smooth again: After all strips are hung, goover the entire wall with a wallpaper roller to ensure all edges and seams aresecure.

• Clean up: Wipe away any excess paste witha damp sponge (don’t use soap, as it may damage the wallpaper).

• Let it dry: Avoid touching the wallpaper for24–48 hours. Keep the room well-ventilated but avoid direct sunlight, which cancause fading.