Whether you're a first-time wallpaper hanger or looking to perfect your technique, having the right tools and knowledge makes all the difference. Through trial and error, I've learned what really works when it comes to achieving a professional finish. Here's everything you need to know!
Your Essential Wallpaper Tool Kit
Before you start any wallpapering project, make sure you have these essential tools ready:
- 📏 Tape measure - Measure your walls BEFORE you buy your wallpaper. Measure twice! This cannot be stressed enough.
- 🫧 Sugar soap - To clean the wall thoroughly and ensure good adhesion
- ✏️ Sharp pencil - For marking guidelines on your wall
- 📐 Plumb line or spirit level - Essential for drawing a guide before putting up your first drop to make sure it is straight
- 🪣 Paint tray and roller - To hold wallpaper paste and apply it evenly to the wall
- 🎨 Ready-mixed wallpaper paste - Much better, in my humble opinion, than mix-your-own varieties
- 🧹 Wallpaper brush (or a 3 in 1 Wallpaper tool) -To smooth the wallpaper onto the wall without tearing
- 🛢 Seam roller - To smooth down joins between drops for invisible seams
- ✂️ Sharp scissors - For cutting wallpaper to length
- 🔪 Sharp craft knife - For precise trimming around edges and obstacles
- 📏 Metal ruler - For perfectly straight cuts
- 🧽 Damp sponge or cloth - To wipe off any excess wallpaper paste immediately
- 🪜 Step ladder - it's always a good idea to have a safe way to get to those high up and hard to reach spots.
Preparation is Everything
Clean Your Walls: Use sugar soap to thoroughly clean your walls. They need to be clean, dry, and smooth for the best results. Fill any holes or cracks, sand them down, and if you're removing old wallpaper, make sure to wash away all paste residue.
Measure Precisely: Measure your wall height and add 10cm (4 inches) extra for trimming. Remember to measure twice! Watch out for any hidden pattern repeats - these need to be factored into your calculations. If you're unsure how to calculate for pattern repeats, it's worth taking the time to understand this before ordering.
The Game-Changing Guideline: Here's one of the most important tips I've learned: draw a line in pencil down the wall using a spirit level or plumb line to create a straight vertical guide. Use this to line up your first wallpaper drop. This will help ensure that your wallpaper stays level as you add further drops.
Why is this so crucial? Because not all walls or corners are straight! Don't assume that the corner or edge of a wall will mean your wallpaper is straight. This simple step is an absolute game changer.
My Top Wallpapering Tips (Learnt Through Trial and Error!)
1. Measure precisely, do it twice, and watch out for pattern repeats. Those hidden pattern repeats need to be factored into your calculations! Taking the time to get this right will save you from running short mid-project.
2. Create that straight vertical line. I can't emphasize this enough - use a plumb line or spirit level to draw a pencil guideline down the wall. This ensures your wallpaper drops align perfectly. Not all walls or corners are straight, so never assume!
3. Consider where you want the pattern to begin. When hanging your first strip of wallpaper, think about pattern placement. This is well worth doing, especially with a large pattern repeat and/or if you're investing in a statement wallpaper. You want the most impactful part of the design at eye level.
4. Use paste-the-wall paste. This is so much easier and more forgiving than traditional paste-the-paper methods. Use a roller to apply it evenly. It's definitely the best option for our wallpapers. Do your research on which brand to use - quality paste makes a real difference.
5. Always have a damp cloth to hand. Make sure you wipe any excess paste off as soon as possible. This prevents staining and keeps your work looking professional. Clean as you go!
Professional Techniques for Perfect Results
Pattern Matching: Take your time to align patterns carefully at the seams. It's worth the extra effort for a professional finish. Step back regularly to check your work from a distance.
Smoothing: Work from the centre outwards using a wallpaper brush to eliminate air bubbles and ensure good adhesion. Be gentle but thorough.
Seams: Never overlap seams - butt them together carefully. Use a seam roller gently to ensure edges are well adhered, but don't press too hard on embossed or textured papers as you might flatten the design.
Trimming: Use a sharp blade and change it frequently for clean cuts at ceilings, skirting boards, and around obstacles. A blunt blade will tear rather than cut.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the preparation - proper prep is essential for a lasting finish
- Assuming you can get away with just enough wallpaper or less - allow for mishaps and hidden extras.
- Not drawing a vertical guideline - this leads to wonky wallpaper that gets worse with each drop
- Assuming corners are straight - they rarely are!
- Hanging wallpaper in direct sunlight or drafts while it's drying
- Using too much paste, which can cause staining and make the paper too wet
- Not wiping excess paste immediately - it's much harder to remove once dry
- Forgetting to turn off electricity when papering around switches and sockets - safety first!
- Not accounting for pattern repeats in your measurements
Final Thoughts
Wallpapering is one of those skills that improves with practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect - even professionals had to start somewhere! The key is good preparation, the right tools, and taking your time.
Remember, paste-the-wall paste is your friend, that vertical guideline is non-negotiable, and cleaning as you go will save you so much hassle later.
If you have questions about any of our wallpapers or need specific advice for your project, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help make your wallpapering project a success!
Happy wallpapering! 🎨