Home renovations how to hang wallpaper

Changing the looks of a room can be as simple as hanging new fresh wallpaper. Hanging wallpaper can be a task for the do-it-yourself person by following a few simple steps.

To begin, look carefully at your room. Decide on the least noticeable wall, which is the wall that the guests are least likely to see. Begin hanging the wallpaper on this wall. Now, measure the width of the paper minus ½ inch and then measure this distance from the corner and mark the spot with a pencil. The next step is to draw a straight, vertical line, known as a plumb line, from the marked spot using a level. Be sure to make the first strip straight as possible, the success of the job depends on this. Each time a corner is reached or a new wall is started, follow this procedure. Cut the first strip, leaving an extra 2 inches at the top and bottom of the wallpaper for trimming.

Self-adhesive wallpaper must be soaked before putting on the wall. To do this, fill a water tray 2/3 full with water at room temperature. Roll the cut strip from bottom to top, paste side out. If the strip is rolled correctly, the pattern will not be seen. Submerge the rolled strip into the water tray and soak for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer of the wallpaper. This time is usually 30 seconds. Hold the top of the sheet and lift the soaked wallpaper out of the water tray. Place on a worktable and unroll carefully, making sure all the paste is wet.

After soaking the wallpaper, the next step is to fold it, also known as booking. To do this, fold both ends, paste side in, toward the center of the strip with the pattern showing. Be careful and do not crease the folds. Once again, refer to the manufacturers instructions and allow the strip to rest for the appropriate amount of time.

Once the strip has rested, it is time to hang it on the wall. Unfold the top half of the strip and apply it to the wall. Let the excess paper overlap the ceiling and adjoining wall. Carefully slide the paper until it touches the plumb line. Use a wallpaper-smoothing tool and gently press the strip against the wall, being careful not to stretch the wallpaper. Now unfold the bottom half and smooth it into place. After unfolding and placing the bottom half of the wallpaper, smooth the entire strip, working diagonally from the top down and from the center outward. This step forces any air pockets out of the wallpaper. After removing air pockets, take a wet sponge and clean water and wipe off excess glue.

The last step to applying the first strip of wallpaper is trimming it. To do this, use a 6" putty knife as a guide. Trim the excess paper along the ceiling and baseboard with a sharp razor knife. Once again, use the wet sponge and clean water and wipe off the ceiling and baseboards to remove any glue.

The second strip is applied same as the first strip, carefully matching the pattern to the first strip. Touch the edges as close together as possible without overlapping the strips. Remember to clean up any excess glue as soon as possible.