The Easy Way to Hang Wallpaper

[Dave]

There is a joke that says the quickest way to end a marriage is to hang wallpaper together. Ironically, wallpaper is not nearly as difficult to hang as most people believe. The secret to successfully hanging wallpaper is that there are no shortcuts. Follow the same pattern every time, without eliminating steps and your walls will be beautifully covered.


There are several things that must be done to your walls in preparation for hanging wallpaper. The first thing to do is remove any old wallpaper and wash the walls with a mild detergent. If there are uneven spots on the walls after washing them, use sandpaper to lightly sand off any imperfections. The next step is to prime the walls. Oil-based primers work best for hanging wallpaper. Let the primer dry for 24 hours before moving to the next step.

Before you begin hanging the wallpaper, it is important to double-check and make sure you have enough to cover all your walls. Think about how angry you would be to get almost done with your project and have to take a break to run back to the store and pick up another roll. What would happen if the store happened to be out of the paper you need? This is especially important if you have special ordered the paper, since it can take days, even weeks, to get more paper in.


To begin hanging your wallpaper, you must first make a plumb line -- this line helps you tell if you are hanging each wallpaper strip straight. Determine the width of your wallpaper. Then, use a tape measure and make a mark that is 1/2 inch shorter than the wallpaper. Next, use a level to create your plumb line, a straight, vertical line. This is where your first two strips will meet. Continue making plumb lines all the way around the room.


Once you have made all the plumb lines, you need to determine the height of your wall. Add three inches to that height. Measure and cut your first strip of wallpaper.

For prepasted wallpaper, dip your paper into a tray of water, then roll the wallpaper with the pattern facing in. Allow the paper to sit in the water for 30 seconds. Remove the paper from the water and set it on a flat surface. Fold the wallpaper so the pasted sides are sticking together. Be careful not to crease the wallpaper. Let the paper sit for three to five minutes.


After a few minutes, unfold the wallpaper and place it on the wall to the left of the plumb line. The wallpaper will overlap at the ceiling and the baseboard. Use a brush or sponge to carefully smooth the wallpaper. Wipe off any excess paste with a cloth.


Use a straightedge, such as a putty knife or a wall scraper, and a sharp razor edged knife to cut the excess paper at the ceiling and baseboard. Continue applying wallpaper around the room. When two strips meet, do not overlap the paper. It's important to make sure the pattern lines up when two strips come together. Carefully lay the paper over outlets and light switches and use your knife to cut out the paper. For doors and windows, hang the paper over the opening and then cut away the extra. Use diagonal cuts on the corners.


Once paper is hung around the entire room, wait 10-15 minutes and then use a seam roller to gently go over all of the seams. Be careful not to move or stretch the wallpaper.

Now step back and admire your work. You can use a needle to release any air bubbles that might be trapped in the paper.

Now is the time to clean up your mess and call it a day.