How to choose wallpaper

Wallpapering is among the most expensive home improvements when performed by a hired contractor. With a little patience and the following do-it-yourself guidelines, the cost of redecorating a room can be dramatically reduced.

NECESSARY TOOLS

A package of new razor blades for cutting, or an exacto knife
A plumb bob
Large table for measuring and cutting
Wallpaper sizing, mixed according to manufacturer's directions
Water trough, or tub filled with lukewarm water
Sponge
Brushtool

Before purchasing your wallpaper, measure the room to be papered. This is very important information that will help store personnel determine the amount of paper that is needed. Your local wallpaper distributor is an excellent source of help.

1. Make sure walls to be papered are clean and free of dust. Using a product such as TSP, mixed according to package directions, will help ensure a clean wall with which to work.

2. Set up prep table with needed tools at one end. Fill water trough with lukewarm water, or fill a tub about four inches deep.

3. Strike a plumb line with the tool by holding the chalked line at the top and bottom of wall to be papered. Have a helper pull the line at the center, leaving a line by which to center your first piece of paper.

4. Take double-roll of paper and starting at the top of the wall, let hang loosely as you adjust the paper to the width and length desired. Mark with a pencil the desired length, allowing at least one or two inches extra for margin of error.

5. Lay the paper on top of the prep table for cutting, using a square as your guide. Cut the paper with your blade or exacto knife. Hint: It helps to press firmly with one hand the square as you drag the blade over the paper.

6. Roll the paper into a cylindrical shape and place in the trough of water, or tub. Let paper sit for time recommended by the manufacturer, usually about thirty seconds. When ready to drag paper from the water, lift by the corners. As you lift paper, have a helper grasp the remaining length and hold to ensure the even distribution of water over paper. Lifting slowly and steadily will help to ensure that the paper is thoroughly covered with water.

7. Fold the paper in thirds. This is known as booking and will allow the paste on the paper to properly cure. Let paper sit for approximately three minutes, or the time recommended by the manufacturer.

8. Unfold the wallpaper and gently place upon the prepared wall. Center the paper, keeping in mind you will have the extra inch or two that will be at the ceiling and floor. Push gently as you spread the paper, covering the space for which you have measured. After you have spread the paper to the desired effect, smooth out all edges with the brushtool. Working in upward and outward strokes, gently push with the brush the edges of the paper to ensure a snug meeting of paper and wall. Repeat this step as often as is necessary to ensure you have properly adhered the edges of the paper to the wall. Remember also to perform this step at the ceiling and floor, gently pushing the paper so you will have a good bond with the top of the wall and the trim of the floorboard.

9. With the edge of the brushtool, smooth out all bubbles that appear on the paper. This bubbling almost always occurs, no matter how carefully the paper has been hung. It is very important to complete this step. If bubbles remain under the paper, they will not only be visible as the paste begins to dry but the trapped air can eventually cause damage to the wallpaper.

10. Take the seam roller and gently roll over the seams of the wallpaper to ensure a snug bond with the wall.

11. With a razor blade or exact knife, trim the excess paper from the ceiling and floor of the wall. Hint: A concrete trowel held with one hand over the excess paper gives an excellent edge to help ensure a clean cut.

12. Take a clean, damp cloth and go over the surface of the applied paper. This is helpful in removing any excess paste. It also adds one last ensurance against the paper buckling.

13. Follow the previous steps when adding subsequent pieces of your wallpaper. Depending upon the drop match of your specific paper pattern, hold the next piece of paper parallel to the already-hung sheet of paper, making sure to match up patterns. After ensuring a proper match of patterns, refer back to step number four and follow the subsequent steps for this second piece and each that follows.

A Note on Corners:

When papering corners, take extra care to ensure a good, snug fit by pressing firmly into the length of the corner. Continue applying paper as your make your way past the corner. Follow the same steps as previously stated as you continue your papering.