I actually think traditional wallpaper is easier to install than peel-and-stick wallpaper and looks better. Why, you ask? It’s more forgiving, and the material is usually nicer — less like a sticker. And with removable wallpaper pastes these days, it’s not as permanent as it used to be, either.
While peel-and-stick is a great renter-friendly and non-permanent option, let me show you how easy it can be to cover a room in traditional (pasted) wallpaper in just a few easy steps.
Prefer to watch instead? Watch the full tutorial here!
QUICK TIPS TO WALLPAPER LIKE A PRO EVERY TIME
Here’s what I used…
STEP 1: KNOW WHERE TO START
Pro tip: When you wallpaper a room, wallpaper the whole room! Not just a wall. That way, it feels like a complete idea. But what about matching the pattern when you reach the end?
Look around the room and determine if you will have any kind of break in your wallpaper. If you do, start there, and you won’t have to worry about matching your pattern at the end.
If you don’t, identify the least noticeable corner. Not something you see when you walk into a room. Maybe a corner that has a piece of furniture that will go in front of it. Start there and wallpaper to your right.
Make sure to level your first panel so the rest of your panels will also be level. Check every few just to make sure, or keep your laser level up as you go so you don’t veer off course.
Cut your first panel — Measure your wall, then add a few extra inches to the top and bottom. You’ll want to overlap the ceiling, baseboard, and side wall by an inch or two and trim later for the cleanest install. Ceilings and walls are rarely square, so giving yourself extra wallpaper to work with is ideal just in case.
Feeling ready? Let’s start the install!
STEP 2: INSTALL YOUR WALLPAPER
We’re working with traditional wallpaper here, so I’ll be showing you how to install it with wallpaper paste. Read your wallpaper’s instructions first in case there is a specific method your paper requires, but my preference is to always paste the wall, not the paper.
Using a paste brush, apply a thin layer of your wallpaper paste directly to the wall, edge to edge. Overlap the edge of your last panel as well. You don’t want to miss any spots, or you’ll have air bubbles. I usually put enough paste on the wall for a panel and a half at a time.
Match up your pattern. Your wallpaper will tell you if it overlaps or butts up to the next panel. With paste, you can slide your panel on the wall to make sure you get a perfect match.
Then, use your smoothing tool to smooth out before smoothing up and down. Make sure to get all the air bubbles!
While the paste is still wet, use a straight edge and clean blade to trim your wallpaper where it meets your baseboards, ceiling, etc.
Wallpaper paste can be messy. So make sure you clean as you go! After each panel, grab a slightly damp rag and wipe off all extra paste on the wallpaper before it dries. Follow with a dry rag so you don’t leave any streaks behind.
Continue around the room, smoothing, trimming, and cleaning as you go.
STEP 3: DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS
You might think you’re done at this point, but look around the room. See all those plain outlet covers and switch plates staring you down? Yeah, you might want to wallpaper those, too!
Grab an extra piece of wallpaper and line the pattern up over an outlet cover. I like to mark the edges around the outlet cover once I have it lined up so I know exactly where to cut.
Cut out your rectangle, leaving an extra inch on all sides. Then cut the corners in diagonally until you reach your mark for the outside edge of the outlet cover.
Add a little paste on the front of your outlet cover, place your paper on top, then flip it over and fold in the edges behind the cover like you’re wrapping a present. I use tape on the back of the cover to hold the edges in place.
Use your utility knife or blade to add a small slit over the screw hole and cut out the holes in your cover.
Then screw it back on!
It sounds very extra, but it’s always worth it!
THAT’S IT!
Now you know exactly how to tackle a traditional wallpaper install! And just know that it gets easier the more you do it. Trust the process, and know that you can do it!
Which room will you wallpaper first? Let me know in the comments!
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