Beginner’s Guide to Wallpapering: How to Transform Your Walls in 6 Easy Steps!
Wallpapering is an excellent way to transform any dull and boring wall to a stunning and eye-catching masterpiece. Installing wallpaper in your home is an effortless way to add personality and depth to any space. It’s an ideal way to create a focal point in your home or to create a specific atmosphere in a particular room. With a little bit of knowledge and the right tools at your disposal, you can quickly transform any room in your home into a beautiful, unique space that suits your style and personality. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through everything you need to know about wallpapering, including the tools you need, and the steps you need to follow to get the job done right.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is dedicated to anyone who is looking to give their home a fresh new look without spending a lot of money. If you are a beginner and don’t have any prior experience with wallpapering, you are in the right place. We aim to help you throughout the entire process, ensuring that you get the best results. Even if you have a little bit of experience, we guarantee that you will learn some useful tips and techniques that you can use to make your wallpapering project more manageable.
Tools and Materials
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide on wallpapering, it’s essential to understand the tools and materials needed for a successful wallpaper installation.
1. Wallpaper
Firstly, you’ll need to buy suitable wallpaper for your home. There are infinite wallpaper styles, types, and patterns to choose from, but you have to ensure that you select one that will suit your space’s style and add an excellent aesthetic to your home. You can find wallpapers in various stores or online shops.
2. Wallpaper paste or adhesive
The paste is used to stick the wallpaper to the wall. You can find pre-mixed or powder-based adhesive formulas from your home improvement store.
3. Wallpaper brush or roller
A wallpaper brush or roller is used to apply the adhesive or paste to the wallpaper. You can also use it to smooth out any air pockets or wrinkles.
4. Wallpaper Tray
Use a wallpaper tray to store the wallpaper paste or adhesive while you work. It makes your work easier and prevents spillages.
5. Knife and Scissors
You will need a utility knife and a pair of scissors to cut the wallpaper to the required length and size while installing it.
6. Ladder and Tape Measure
A ladder is necessary for installing wallpapers that are beyond your reach, while a tape measure is essential to measure the height and width of the walls you want to cover.
7. Sponge
A sponge is essential for cleaning any excessive glue after completing the installation.
8. Sandpaper
Prepare your walls by smoothing them using sandpaper. Sandpaper helps to remove any bumps, lumps, or raised surfaces from your wall and ensure a smooth finish after the installation.
9. Wallpaper Smoothing Brush
A wallpaper smoothing brush is necessary to remove bumps or wrinkles from the wallpaper and ensure a smooth finish when installing.
Step-By-Step Guide to Wallpapering
Now that we have discussed the tools and materials needed for a successful wallpaper installation, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to wallpapering.
Step 1: Prepare the Wall
Firstly, you need to prepare the wall you want to wallpaper. The wall must be clean, dry, and smooth to get a perfect finish. Use sandpaper to smooth the wall and remove any bumps and raised surfaces. If there are any holes or dents in the wall, fill them with filler and sand again. Wipe the wall clean with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any dust or leftover debris from the sandpaper.
Step 2: Measure the Wall
Measure the height and width of the wall you want to wallpaper and cut the wallpaper according to the measurements. You can leave some extra inches to adjust accordingly if there is any extra measurement.
Step 3: Mix the Adhesive
If you’re using powdered adhesive, mix the adhesive by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Add water to the adhesive powder gradually, mixing in between until you get a smooth and consistent paste. If you’re using pre-mixed wallpaper adhesive, mix it well with a wallpaper brush or roller.
Step 4: Apply the Adhesive
Apply the adhesive on the back of the wallpaper, using a brush or roller. Apply the adhesive evenly, and ensure that you don’t use too much or too little of the paste, as it can cause problems during installation. Make sure to apply enough adhesive to cover the entire wallpaper.
Step 5: Install the Wallpaper
After applying the adhesive, fold the wallpaper lengthwise inwards, over itself (book-folding). Do this gently and patiently to avoid any wrinkles and creases. This process is known as “booking.” Wait for 5-10 minutes for the adhesive to absorb, and then start installing the wallpaper by placing it on the wall at the top and working downwards. Ensure that you align the wallpaper edge at the wallpaper’s top onto the corresponding wall, using a straight horizontal line as a reference. Use a wallpaper brush or roller to smooth the wallpaper, removing any air pockets, bubbles, or wrinkles. Ensure that you match up the wallpaper patterns correctly, so that they align precisely.
Step 6: Trim the Edges
Finally, use a utility knife or scissors to trim the wallpaper’s excess edges at the top and bottom carefully, making sure that the knife is sharp for the cleanest results. After trimming, wipe the wall clean with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any leftover adhesive and smoothen the surface using a wallpaper brush. Allow the wallpaper to dry thoroughly.
Recommendations and Tips
The following are some recommendations and tips to make your wallpaper installation easier and successful.
1. Buy Enough Wallpaper
It’s always important to buy enough wallpaper to cover all walls in the room. Buy extra wallpaper but not generally too many rolls. You may need it if you make any mistakes or if there’s a pattern that needs to match or overlap. Avoid returning to the store to buy more rolls in mid-way of the installation process.
2. Start in an Inconspicuous Space
Start the installation in an inconspicuous or less visible area to practice and learn the techniques. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the process before moving onto more visibly seen parts of your home.
3. Have a Friend Help You
It’s always better to have a friend or family member help you when wallpapering as this makes the task easier, especially if there’s larger wallpaper to fix. Additionally, having someone else work with you helps speed up the installation process.
4. Use Proper Tapes and Adhesive
It’s essential to use a high-quality adhesive and tape to ensure that the wallpaper remains intact and lasts longer. You can find specialized wallpaper tapes and adhesives in any home improvement store.
5. Protect Your Floors and Furniture
Before starting the installation, protect your floors and furniture using a dust sheet or a polythene sheet, as the adhesive can be messy and difficult to clean if spilled.
6. Check the Wallpaper’s Orientation and Direction
Check the wallpaper’s orientation to ensure you’re hanging the wallpaper correctly on the correct side up. Another vital consideration is the wallpaper’s direction, if any, and match-pattern sizes, so they coincide correctly. Thus, you have to check and ensure that the wallpaper’s orientation is correct before pasting it onto the wall to avoid any faults.
High-Authority Links
If you want to learn more about wallpapering, you can visit the following websites for more information:
1. DIY Network: How to Hang Wallpaper
https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/painting/how-to-hang-wallpaper
2. This Old House: How to Hang Wallpaper Like a Pro
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/walls/21016603/how-to-hang-wallpaper-like-a-pro
3. Home Depot: Wallpapering Basics
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/wallpapering-basics/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90ac8a92f2b
Conclusion
Wallpapering is a fun, easy, and affordable way to add some character and style to your home. With the right tools and a bit of knowledge, anybody can install wallpaper easily, without any professional assistance. Just make sure to measure the wall correctly, use high-quality wallpaper, adhesive, and tapes, and follow the instructions and recommendations we’ve provided in this guide. And, for the more information, don’t hesitate to check those high-authority websites we linked throughout the article.
