How to Wallpaper

• Choosing wallpaper
• Roll reckoner
• Wallcovering symbols
• What you need
• 1. Prepare the walls
• 2. Prepare the paper
• 3. Hang the paper
• How to care for wallpaper

Step 1: Prepare the walls

Wallpaper is actually easy to hang if the walls—and you!—are well prepared. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the type of paper you have chosen.

Prepare the wall surface

If you spend time preparing the wall, then the job will be much easier. The surface must be clean, dry and sound, and well-sized, so that the wallpaper is easy to position and sticks properly.

1. Remove any old paper. Use Metylan Active Wallpaper Remover to make that easy.
2. Repair any imperfections in the wall/plaster, and sand smooth with 100 grit sandpaper. Remove the dust.
3. Brush the wall surface with a liberal coat of size (SHUR-STIK Wallpaper Size) and let it dry. This makes it much easier to position the wallpaper when it is time to start hanging.

Plan where to start in the room

Start near the main source of light and work away from it, aiming to finish in a discreet area, such as behind a door.

If you are using patterned wallpaper on a feature wall, start in the middle of the wall.

Make a plumb line

A plumb line—a straight line device that professionals use—will ensure that even if your ceilings or floors are not level, the wallpaper will still be straight. Always hang your first strip of paper next to a plumb line.

This is how you do it:

1. Measure the width of your paper.
2. Measure the same distance out from the corner in the direction you intend working.
3. Come back 15mm towards the corner from the narrowest point of the plumb line, and make a mark closer to the ceiling.
4. Drive in a small nail to hang the plumb line from.
5. Once it is steady, with a pencil, lightly mark the wall along the plumb line every 20 to 30cm down the length of the line to the floor. This will give you a perfectly straight vertical line to hang your first strip of wallpaper against.