Master How to Hang Wallpaper: An Artisans Guide to Hanging Wallpaper
February 16, 2025 – House of Londinium
Curious how artisans achieve flawless wallpaper finishes?
This guide walks you through the process of wallpaper hanging as a craft, from the essential tools and wall preparation to alignment, pasting, trimming, and finishing touches.
Follow each step with care to create a refined, professional result.
Table of Contents
Step 3: Creating a Straight Line
Step 5: Applying Paste on the Wall
Step 9: Notes on Corners and Sockets
Step 10: Light Switches and Sockets
Step 1: Gather Essential Tools and Materials
Before beginning the true craftsman with gather all the necessary tools and materials. Having everything ready streamlines the process and saves you stress along the way. Essential tools for hanging wallpaper include:
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Tape measure
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Straight edge
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Wallpaper brush
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Roller
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Tray
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Laser level
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Spirit Level
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Paste
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Stanley knife/ scissor
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Ladder
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Kettle / tea
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Sugar soap
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Primer
A level ensures wallpaper is applied straight, preventing skewed lines that could spoil the look. True pros use plumb line also known as a plumb bob or plummet. For greater precision, a laser level can provide an exact vertical line, ensuring perfect alignment from top to bottom.
Protecting your floors and carpets with drop cloths to shield them from adhesive spills and other messes. Watch our for installers who skip this step
Step 2. Prepare Your Walls for Wallpaper
Before wallpapering can begin your master wallpaper installer should make sure your walls are properly prepared are clean, dry, and smooth before starting. They should start by cleaning the walls with a strong cleaner to remove any grease or dust that could interfere with the adhesive. Skipping this step can result in the wallpaper not sticking properly due to dirt.
Inspect the walls for surface features like nails or bumps and make sure they have been removed, and any rough areas sanded to ensure smoothness. Applying a wallpaper primer seals the wall and prevents moisture absorption, enhancing wallpaper adhesion and longevity. Wait at least 30 days for newly painted walls to fully set before moving to the next step of applying wallpaper.
If your walls have imperfections, your craftsman or woman may consider hanging lining paper to create a more even surface, prevent wallpaper shrinkage, and disguise stains or blemishes. With wall prepared for wallpapering and any excess paper, you’re ready to hang wallpaper and move on to the next step.
Step 3. Create a Plumb Line / Straight Vertical Line
A straight vertical line will help keep your wallpaper properly aligned.
Option A: Laser level
Laser level project a straight line on the wall for you to align your paper with.
Align the projected line with where you'd like to start and ensure when you start pasting it the wall that the paper edge follows the line.
Option B: With a plumb line
Attach the unweighted end of a plumb line to a pin or nail at the top of the wall. Ensure the plumb line is taut for accuracy, then mark the line with a pencil once it settles.
Start by drawing a straight vertical line down the wall from top to baseboard. This line will serve as your guide for placing the first panel of wallpaper straight, ensuring that each subsequent strip remains aligned.
For maximum accuracy, consider adding multiple plumb lines across the wall. When picking your starting point always start close to a corner: around 6 inches. This will be important when wallpapering corners.
Step 4: Measure and Cut Wallpaper Strips
Accurate measurements prevent waste and ensure a seamless look. Measure the wall from its highest point to avoid miscalculations. Cut the wallpaper with your scissor in strips about six inches longer than the wall height to accommodate uneven ceilings and allow for adjustments.
Use a straight edge for cleaner cuts when trimming wallpaper strips. Double-check measurements before cutting wallpaper to minimise waste.
Accurate measuring and cutting will save headaches later. With your wallpaper strips ready, you’re prepared to move on to the next step to apply paste.
Step 5: Apply Wallpaper Paste
Proper application of wallpaper paste ensures a smooth finish. Several methods exist: booking the wallpaper, pasting the wall, or using wallpaper adhesive. For ‘paste the wall’ wallpaper, no pasting table is needed, saving time. Traditional wallpaper requires a pasting table for adhesive application.
A pasting brush or roller ensures even application of wallpaper paste. Apply adhesive directly onto the wall in a strip wider than the wallpaper, similar to painting. Start from the vertical line and proceed downwards for proper coverage. Wear protective gloves to avoid skin irritation. All of House of Londinium luxury wallpapers are "paste the wall".
Work efficiently to prevent the paste from drying before wallpaper application. Once the adhesive is on the wall, you’re ready to hang your first strip of peel and stick.
Step 6: Hang Wallpaper
Start to hang the paper by using your plumb line or laser level line to align the first strip of wallpaper.
Align the wallpaper strip edge to the vertical line and smooth it from the centre to the edges to remove air bubbles. This careful alignment ensures that the rest of the strips will follow suit, maintaining a neat and straight appearance throughout the entire wall.
Step 7: Smooth Out Air Bubbles
Air bubbles under wallpaper are undesirable. Smooth the wallpaper from the centre towards the edges to eliminate them. A clean, dry foam roller, traditional wallpaper roller or your wallpaper smoother/ straight edge can be effective for removing wallpaper bubbles.
For stubborn air bubbles, carefully puncture the centre with a needle to release trapped air. After piercing, smooth the wallpaper towards the hole to fully eliminate the air pocket.
In extreme cases, remove and reapply the wallpaper section for a smooth finish.
Step 8: Trim Excess Wallpaper
Trimming excess wallpaper is the finishing touch for a professional look. Use a utility knife and a ruler for clean cuts along the wall’s edges. Press the blade against the straight edge to avoid jagged cuts.
Change utility knife blades frequently to prevent tearing the wallpaper. For optimal results, overlap the wallpaper at the top and bottom by a few inches before trimming. This ensures a perfect fit and a polished look.
Step 9: Handling Corners and Edges and windows
Corners and edges can be tricky, but with the right techniques, you can achieve a seamless look. For inside corners, add extra width when cutting wallpaper to ensure a proper fit. Relief cuts help bend wallpaper around windows
For outside corners, a three-inch overlap ensures a smooth transition. Leave a two-inch overlap and trim excess wallpaper carefully for neat edges along windows. Allow a two-inch overlap on trim and cut at a 45° angle for a clean finish.
Cover electrical outlets with tape, then trim wallpaper around them for a precise fit. These techniques will help you handle corners and edges like a pro. For more detail see our guide on wallpapering corners.
Step 10: Dealing with Light Switches and Sockets
Light switches and sockets can be challenging, but a few tips can simplify the process. Remove outlet faceplates and cover sockets with tape before wallpapering to protect them.
For square light switches, cover with wallpaper, cut four diagonal lines, smooth, and trim excess. For power points, make a cross cut and peel back the four points. For circular light switches, cover the switch and cut a star shape to fit.
A breakaway knife can make these cuts easier and more precise. With these steps, you can neatly wallpaper around light switches and sockets without compromising on safety or aesthetics.
Step 11: Cleaning Up Excess Paste
Cleaning up excess wallpaper paste ensures a flawless finish. Use a damp sponge to effectively remove excess adhesive. Apply warm water for stubborn residues to loosen the paste. A mix of hot water and dish soap can also soften the glue for easier removal.
Apply these solutions with a clean sponge to areas with excess paste. This prevents stains and ensures your wallpaper looks perfect. Regularly clean tools and workspace to maintain a tidy environment throughout the project.
Maintaining Your Wallpaper
Proper maintenance keeps your wallpaper looking fresh and beautiful. Maintaining a room temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit can help prevent bubbles while the wallpaper dries. Grease or dirt left on wallpaper too long becomes harder to remove.
Regularly dust with a vacuum using a soft brush attachment to keep wallpaper clean. Use paint or coloured pencils to hide minor blemishes. Store extra wallpaper in a sealed container for potential repairs.
Choosing the Right Wallpaper
Matching wallpaper with the existing colour scheme and furniture creates a harmonious look. The pattern scale should complement the room’s size; larger patterns suit bigger spaces, smaller patterns suit smaller areas is all part of choosing the right wallpaper.
In spaces with minimal natural light, select lighter luxury wallpaper colours to enhance brightness. Sample wallpaper in your space under different lighting conditions to visualise its effect before purchasing.
Check the batch number on wallpaper roll, as colours and finishes can vary between batches.
How much wallpaper do I need?
A wallpaper calculator is useful for estimating requirements and simplifying project planning. It considers the dimensions of your walls and the pattern repeat of the wallpaper. Order extra wallpaper to account for design repeat, errors, or future changes.
A wallpaper calculator ensures you have enough wallpaper to complete your project without running out midway. This planning step saves time and frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ensure my wallpaper stays straight during application?
To ensure your wallpaper stays straight during application, use a plumb line or a level to mark a straight vertical guide on the wall. This will help you align each strip correctly and avoid skewed application.
What should I do if I notice air bubbles after applying the wallpaper?
If you notice air bubbles after applying wallpaper, smooth them out from the centre towards the edges with a roller. For persistent bubbles, gently puncture them with a needle and press the wallpaper towards the hole to release the air.
How can I avoid wasting wallpaper during the cutting process?
To avoid wasting wallpaper, always measure the wall from the highest point and cut strips about six inches longer than required. Double-checking your measurements before cutting is crucial for minimising waste.
What’s the best way to clean up excess wallpaper paste?
The best way to clean up excess wallpaper paste is to use a damp sponge to wipe it away. For stubborn residues, applying warm water or a mixture of hot water and dish soap can help soften the glue for easier removal.
How do I handle wallpapering around light switches and sockets?
To handle wallpapering around light switches and sockets, remove faceplates and cover the sockets with tape for protection. Carefully apply the wallpaper, make precise cuts around the outlines, and trim any excess for a clean finish.
How do I remove wallpaper?
Removing wallpaper can be done either using a wallpaper steam or using wallpaper stripper. Read our detailed guide on wallpaper removal in luxury homes.