A Step by Step Guide to Wallpapering a Room for Beginners

How to Hang Wallpaper

DIY is not for everyone, I get that. But as a Dad, for your own self esteem you need to be able to do the basics. That’s why I wrote about the 10 easiest DIY jobs any Dad can do.

Wallpapering is not on that list because it’s a little more advanced. Remember that time you tried to assemble your kid’s bike and ended up with more spare parts than you started with? Well, fear not, because wallpapering a room is nothing like that. It’s not an entry level job, but it’s not difficult either.

Plus, it’s easy to cover up mistakes!

With this guide, you’ll be papering walls like a pro in no time. So, let’s roll up our sleeves (and our wallpaper) and dive into the wonderful world of home improvement. Trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be the envy of every DIY loving dad on the block.

The Tools of the Trade

Before we jump into the actual wallpapering, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need. Without these, you’re like a knight going into battle armed with nothing but a rubber chicken.

First up, you’ll need:

  • A sturdy stepladder (because unless you’re built like a giraffe, you’ll need some help reaching those high spots)
  • A paste brush or roller (for spreading the paste)
  • A seam roller (to make those joins disappear like magic)
  • A sharp utility knife (for precision cuts)
  • A large pair of scissors (the sharper, the better)
  • A plumb line (to keep things straight when you hang your first drop)
  • A tape measure (because guesstimating is a recipe for disaster)
  • A wallpaper smoother (for getting rid of those pesky air bubbles)
  • A sponge (for wiping away excess paste and your tears of frustration)
  • A bucket (for mixing paste and catching any drips)
  • A pasting table (unless you fancy using the kitchen table and risking the wrath of your better half)

Remember, a good workman never blames his tools, but having the right ones sure makes the job a whole lot easier.

Getting Your Walls Ready

Stripping Wallpaper

Now, I know it’s tempting to just slap the paper on and call it a day, but you can’t. Well, you could, but then you’d end up with a room that looks like it was decorated by a blindfolded toddler. Proper prep is key, so let’s get those walls ready for their makeover.

Stripping the Old Stuff

If you’ve got old wallpaper clinging on for dear life, it’s time to show it the door. Here’s how:

  1. Score the old paper with a scoring tool (or if you’re feeling thrifty, a fork will do)
  2. Mix up some warm water and wallpaper stripper solution
  3. Apply the solution generously and let it soak in
  4. Start scraping away with a putty knife or scraper
  5. For stubborn bits, reapply the solution and show them who’s boss

You can get wallpaper stripper quite cheaply too if you have a lot to do. These create steam that softens the paper up and makes it fall away from the wall easily.

Smoothing Things Out

Once you’ve got the old paper off, it’s time to make your walls even smoother than your chat-up lines:

  1. Fill any holes or cracks with filler, and leave slightly proud (filler shrinks)
  2. Once dry, sand the filled areas until they’re level with the rest of the wall
  3. Wipe down the walls with a damp cloth to remove any dust
  4. You can also apply a coat of primer-sealer to give your new wallpaper the best chance of sticking around, but this isn’t essential.

Remember, a smooth wall is a happy wall, and a happy wall makes for a happy home. Or something like that.

I made it up…

How Much Wallpaper Do You Need?

Alright, time for some maths. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as helping your kids with their homework. To figure out how much wallpaper you need:

  1. Measure the height and width of each wall
  2. Multiply these together to get the square footage
  3. Add up the square footage of all walls
  4. Add an extra 10% for pattern matching and mistakes (because we’re all human, right?)

Pro tip: Always buy an extra roll. It’s better to have too much than to run short and find out the pattern’s been discontinued. Plus, you can always use the leftovers to wallpaper the inside of your wardrobe.

Hanging Your Wallpaper

Hanging Wallpaper

Right, this is it. The moment of truth. You’ve prepped, you’ve measured, you’ve got more tools than a hardware store. It’s time to get that paper on the wall

If you are lining the wall first, remember to run the paper horizontally rather than vertically. This is also a good way to practice before hanging the layer that matters.

Once lined, leave for 24 hours then move on to the top layer.

Starting in the Right Spot

First things first, where do you start? Well, unless you want your room to look like a funhouse mirror, you’ll want to start in the most inconspicuous corner of the room. That way, if things go a bit pear-shaped, at least it won’t be the first thing people see when they walk in.

Cutting and Pasting

  1. Cut your first strip of wallpaper, allowing an extra 4 inches at the top and bottom for trimming and pattern matching
  2. Apply the paste evenly to the back of the paper (or the wall if you’re using pre-pasted paper)
  3. Book the paper by folding it loosely, paste side to paste side, and let it rest for a few minutes (this is a great time to grab a cuppa)

Folding it in this concertina way and leaving it to soak is a key step because the paper will expand slightly as it absorbs the paste.

Hanging the First Strip

  1. Use your plumb line to mark a straight vertical line on the wall. Walls are rarely straight, so this ensures the paper will be.
  2. Align the edge of your wallpaper with this line
  3. Smooth the paper onto the wall from top to bottom, working out any air bubbles as you go
  4. Trim the excess at the top and bottom using your utility knife
  5. If you make a mess, it’s fine to peel the paper off the wall while the paste is still wet and have another go, just do it slowly and carefully.

Matching Patterns and Seams

For subsequent strips:

  1. Match the pattern at eye level first, then work up and down
  2. Butt the edges together tightly, but don’t overlap
  3. Use your seam roller to flatten the seams
  4. If some edges are not sticking, you can apply more paste with your finger
  5. Wipe down seams with a lightly damp sponge to remove excess paste

Remember, patience is a virtue here. Rushing is the worst thing you can do – you’ll end up stepping in the paste bucket or something.

Tackling Tricky Spots: Windows, Doors, and Outlets

Now, unless you live in a perfectly square box (and if you do, we need to talk about your life choices), you’re going to encounter some obstacles. Here’s how to handle them like a pro.

Windows and Doors

  1. Hang your paper up to the edge of the window or door frame
  2. Make a diagonal cut from the corner of the frame to the edge of the paper
  3. Smooth the paper around the frame, trimming off any excess
  4. For the top and bottom, cut the paper to fit and smooth it down

Outlets and Switches

  1. Turn off the power (safety first, chaps!)
  2. Remove or loosen the cover plates
  3. Cut an X in the paper where the outlet is
  4. Trim the excess, leaving about 1/4 inch to tuck behind the cover plate
  5. Replace the cover plate
  6. Alternatively, cut in the X then trim around the outlet without removing it, as though it was a door frame or price of skirting.

Remember, measure twice, cut once. It’s not just a saying, it’s a way of life when it comes to wallpapering.

The Chimney Breast Issue

Wallpaper a Chimney Breast

Ah, the chimney breast. The Mount Everest of wallpapering. Here’s how to scale it with no problems.

Method 1: The Centre Start

  1. Find the centre of the chimney breast and draw a vertical line
  2. Hang your first strip of paper along this line, but ensure you won’t end up with a strip right on the bend. If you will, adjust by 20cm.
  3. Work outwards from the centre, matching patterns as you go
  4. When you reach the edges, cut and fold the paper as required to fit around the corners

Method 2: The Side-by-Side Approach

  1. Measure half the width of your wallpaper and mark this distance from the centre of the chimney breast
  2. Hang two strips of paper side by side, meeting at this mark
  3. Continue outwards, ensuring your pattern matches

Whichever method you choose, remember: the chimney breast is the star of the show. Get this right, and the rest of the room will fall into place.

Troubleshooting: When Things Go a Bit Pear-Shaped

You’re on the home stretch now. The paper’s up, the room’s transformed, and you’re feeling pretty chuffed with yourself. But before you crack open that well-deserved beer, there may be a few final touches to take care of.

Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Mismatched Patterns

If your patterns aren’t lining up:

  1. If it’s slight, you might be able to stretch the paper a bit to match
  2. If it’s way off, you might need to re-hang the offending strip (sorry, mate)
  3. If the pattern runs off (matches in some places but not others), try and have it matching at eye level or the most visible area

Peeling Seams

For seams that just won’t stick:

  1. Carefully lift the edge and apply more adhesive
  2. Press down firmly and wipe away any excess paste

Tears or Rips

If you’ve accidentally torn the paper:

  1. For small tears, try to press the edges together and smooth them down
  2. For larger rips, you might need to patch it with a piece of matching wallpaper

Remember, perfection is overrated. A few small imperfections give the room character (at least, that’s what you can tell your other half).

Stepping Back and Admiring Your Work

Happy Dad

Congratulations! You’ve successfully wallpapered a room without losing your mind (or your marriage). Take a step back and admire your handiwork. Looks pretty good, doesn’t it?

Now, here’s what to do next:

  1. Leave the windows open to help the paste dry faster
  2. Avoid hanging anything on the walls for at least 24 hours
  3. Show off your DIY skills to anyone who’ll listen
  4. Start planning your next project (just kidding… or am I?)

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your newly wallpapered room. But unlike Rome, you’ve managed to create this masterpiece in just a weekend. Pat yourself on the back, grab that beer, and bask in the glory of a job well done.