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How to hang wallpaper: step-by-step guide
Wallpaper rewards careful preparation and a straight first strip. This guide walks through the process from bare wall to finished room.
1. Prepare the walls
Walls must be clean, dry, smooth and sound. Remove old wallpaper, fill cracks and holes, sand them flat and remove dust. Prime absorbent surfaces such as new plaster or drywall with a suitable primer or diluted paste (sizing), so the paste does not soak in and the paper can be moved into place.
2. Buy the right amount
Count strips, not area: the pattern repeat and wall height decide how many strips you get from each roll. Buy all rolls with the same batch number and one spare. The Wallpaper calculator works out the number of rolls.
3. Paper type and paste
Check the label. Paste-the-wall papers (often non-woven) are hung dry onto a pasted wall and are the easiest to handle. Traditional papers are paste-the-paper: paste the back, fold it loosely and let it soak for the time stated before hanging. Use the paste the manufacturer recommends.
4. Hang the first strip plumb
Walls and corners are rarely straight, so never start from a corner without checking. Draw a vertical line with a spirit level or plumb line about one strip width minus 1–2 cm from the corner. Hang the first strip to this line, leaving 5 cm extra at top and bottom, and smooth it from the center outward with a brush or plastic smoother to remove air bubbles.
5. Match and butt the next strips
Hang each strip edge to edge with the last one, without overlap, matching the pattern. Roll the seams lightly. Wipe any paste off the face straight away with a damp sponge.
6. Corners, switches and trimming
At internal corners, take the strip about 1 cm round the corner, then hang the next strip to a new plumb line. Turn off power before working round switches and sockets: cut a small cross over the box, trim, and refit the cover. Trim top and bottom with a sharp knife against a wide spatula, changing the blade often.
Common mistakes
- Starting from a corner without a plumb line, so the pattern drifts.
- Buying rolls from different batches.
- Skipping primer on new plaster, so paper cannot slide into place.
- Overlapping seams on non-woven paper.
- Trimming with a blunt blade, which tears wet paper.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prime walls before wallpapering?
Yes, on new plaster, drywall or absorbent walls. It helps the paste work and makes later removal easier.
Where should I start hanging wallpaper?
Next to a window or corner, but always to a plumb line, never trusting the corner itself.
What is paste-the-wall wallpaper?
Paper, usually non-woven, that is hung dry onto a wall that has been pasted.
How do I avoid bubbles?
Smooth from the center outward; small bubbles in paste-the-paper types usually disappear as the paper dries.
Can I wallpaper over old wallpaper?
It is not recommended; remove the old paper for a smooth, lasting result.