How to apply wallpaper in five steps
Want to update the look and feel of your home or office without refurnishing it? Say hello to wallpaper…
One of the hottest décor trends this year, wallpaper has a powerful ability to completely transform any space. And with a variety of designs to choose from – everything from panoramic murals and prints to textures such as bamboo, chintz, and hessian – it’s a great way to express your personality too!
Of course, the application process can be tricky, but these top tips from Builders will help guide you through the installation process…
What You Need:
- Wallpaper (Builders stocks the Fired Earth range)
- Wallpaper adhesive
- Large paint brush (make sure it is clean)
- Spirit level
- Scraper
- Squeegee
- Very sharp knife
- Industrial scissors
- Sandpaper
- Pencil
- Crack filler
- Tape measure
How to begin:
Tip 1 – A smooth surface gives you a better wallpaper finish
Knowing how to prepare your wall for wallpaper installation is important to ensure that you get the best possible outcome. The more precautions you take beforehand, the more bulletproof you will be against the things that can go wrong. First, smooth the wall: fill holes, cracks, and uneven surfaces, sand any bumps or textures, and get rid of any screws or imperfections. Once that is complete, wipe down your wall with a damp cloth 24 hours prior to installing your wallpaper. With your wall prepped, your next step is working out where to start.
Tip 2 – No cutting corners, literally
As walls and corners often aren’t straight, don’t rely on them as a guide when hanging the wallpaper. Instead, find the centre line of your wall and use that as your starting point. To find it, simply measure the width of your wall and draw a vertical line down the middle using your spirit level to ensure it is straight. This line will dictate the way your wallpaper lies across the wall.
Tip 3 – X marks the spot
Once you’ve determined your centre line and are done marking the wall, use the tape measure to measure the correct amount of wallpaper needed for the space you intend to cover. You can then start to cut the wallpaper. NOTE: Make sure you leave an extra 50mm at the top and 50mm at the bottom of the wallpaper. This will be removed at a later stage.
Tip 4 – Now for the adhesive
Mix the wallpaper adhesive in a container; a single packet makes about 3 – 5 litres in total. Give the mixture about 15 minutes to set before you start applying it. Use a paint brush to paint the adhesive onto the wall – remember to paint enough adhesive on either side of the width of the wall to ensure your wallpaper edges stick down firmly and don’t lift.
Tip 5 – The application begins
Finally, apply the wallpaper. Start by rolling your already measured wallpaper cutout against the line marked on the wall. Have a cloth close by to keep your squeegee nice and clean, you will use the squeegee to smooth out the wallpaper by pressing against and running this over your wallpaper length in even strokes. Start from the centre and move outwards. Feel free to move either left or right – key is to ensure the wallpaper is nice and smooth, and perfectly aligned with the line set on the wall earlier. Work out any air pockets with your squeegee. Once your wallpaper is fixed, use a damp cloth to wipe off all the water-soluble glue along the edges. This will also make for a fine finish. NOTE: If the wallpaper is not applying smoothly, pull it away from the wall and go back to your centre point. Remember that this job does take some time and a lot of skill, but it is worth the results in the end.
Information and pics supplied by Builders.
Get a visual step-by-step video for how to apply wallpaper here. You can also explore (play!) with Builders’ new interactive visualizer which allows you to envision your home with Fired Earth’s stunning wallpaper range. It’s great fun!
