How to Put up Wall Paper

If you have drab or plain painted walls, wall paper is a great way to create interesting borders or contrast in the room. There are thousands of wallpaper designs available to help turn even the most boring room into something new. Hanging wallpaper is not overly difficult; however, it does take some patience and a little know how. Therefore, here is a step by step how-to guide to help make your DIY wallpaper project easier and less time consuming. Let's get started.

Step 1 - Fill Holes and Repair Cracks

Inspect the walls. Look for cracks, nail holes or chipped or cracked paint. Fill the holes or cracks with drywall putty and allow the compound to dry. Then sand the surface and make it smooth.

Step 2 - Clean and Dry Wall

Take a damp rag or towel and wipe the surface of the area where you'll be applying to the wallpaper. Allow the wall to dry.

Step 3 - Remove Fixtures and Obstructions

Remove any electrical outlets, light switches or any other things that are hanging on the wall that may get in the way when you start hanging the wallpaper.

Step 4 - Choosing a Starting Point

Choose a starting point. The place where you start hanging the wallpaper will also be the place you finish up at. Corners and door openings are good places to start hanging wallpaper.

Step 5 - Measuring and Marking

Measure the distance from your starting point to a point that is an inch or two shorter than the width of the wallpaper. Create a mark with a pencil at this point. Then, take a level and pencil and draw a line from the floor to the ceiling area at the point where you made the mark. This will serve as your guide when aligning the wallpaper.

(Tip - Don't make the pencil mark too heavy or it may show through the wallpaper.)

Step 6 - Cut the Wall Paper

Use the scissors to cut a piece of wallpaper that is about 4 to 6 inches longer than the wall where you will be applying it.

(Tip - If the wallpaper has a repeating pattern, you may have to cut the piece a little longer so that the pattern matches up.)

Step 7 - Apply Paste

Use the paste brush to apply a thin layer of wallpaper adhesive on the rear of the wallpaper.

Step 8 - Apply Wall Paper to Wall

Align the wallpaper in the corner or at your starting point and with vertical marking line. Allow about 2 inches to roll up onto the ceiling as you will be cutting this away later. Do the same for the floor. Press the wallpaper into place on the wall.

Step 9 - Smooth the Wall Paper

Using the smoothing brush or a plastic smoother, begin smoothing the wallpaper. Start in the middle and work your way out and apply enough pressure to push out any air bubbles.

(Tip - For stubborn air bubbles, used a small pinhead to puncture the bubble and then smooth it out.)

Step 10 - Trim

Using the putty knife or utility knife, trim the paper along the ceiling and the floor. Try to make the trim cuts as straight as possible.

Step 11 - Repeat for Other Walls

Continue the above process for other walls in the room.

Step 12 - Final Trim

When the last piece of wallpaper meets the first piece you installed, overlap the seams about 2 inches. Then, use a straight edge and the utility knife to trim both pieces of wallpaper at the point where they overlap. Use the seam roller to flatten the seam.

Step 13 - Clean Up

Use a wet sponge, followed by a dry towel, to remove any excess glue on the wallpaper.