Instructional index

Tools you will need
How much wallcovering do you need?
Before getting started
Wall preparation
Types of match
Getting started
Cutting lengths
Pattern matching
Pasting unpasted wallcoverings
Pre-pasted wallcoverings
Hanging
Hanging corners
Doors and windows
Ceilings
Switch plate and electrical outlets
Hanging borders
Repairing damages

Hanging

Carry the folded strip to the wall. Check which is the top end of the strip, and holding the top corners, open the top fold and line up to the right of your plumb line. Establish your ceiling line and allow the 2" overlap. Smooth down the middle of the strip using a smoothing brush or soft sponge working out toward the edges removing the wrinkles and air bubbles as you go. Open the bottom fold and continue to smooth the strip into place.

Position the next strip on the wall and slide it precisely into position against the first piece so that the pattern matches at normal eye level. Butt edges, do not overlap. If need be, move entire piece by sliding it over. Do not push or pull seams into place. After you finish each strip, immediately sponge off any extra paste with clean water. Wipe paste off of ceiling and baseboards before it dries. Approximately 20 minutes after hanging, if necessary, use a seam roller to gently flatten the joints between strips.

To ensure your satisfaction, hang three strips and inspect for your overall approval. If there is a problem, stop hanging and contact your local retailer for advice.

After you have three strips up, trim them at the ceiling and baseboard using a broad knife or wall scraper as a guide and cutting, with a very sharp knife. Go slowly and change your blade often.

Go slowly and change your blade often!

Hanging corners

When you come to an inside corner, you will do some basic arithmetic, allowing you to cut the strip into two pieces, rather than wrapping the whole strip around the corner. This will result in a very neat installation.

First, measure the distance from the edge of the last strip that you have hung to the corner. Do this at several points between the ceiling and the baseboard. Determine the widest measurement. Cut a strip of wallcovering 1/2" wider than the widest measurement. Save the remainder of the strip. Hang the first side into the corner and extend 1/2" around the corner onto the next wall. Measure the remaining strip for the second side. Use this width to establish a new plumb line on the second wall. Once hung, it will overlap the first strip into the corner. Match as closely as possible. Any slight paper mismatch will not be noticeable. Reglue the overlap using vinyl to vinyl adhesive.

Doors and windows

Hang wallcoverings right over the windows and doors. Then cut away excess with scissors, leaving a few inches of overlap all around. Make diagonal cuts into the corners and then smooth the wallcovering into the edge of the frame and trim as usual with your blade and straight edge.

Ceilings

Paper the ceiling before the walls. Apply the wallcovering strips across the narrow width of the room. Measure the width of the wallcovering roll and subtract 1/2". Measure this distance from both corners of the short wall and insert tacks at these points. Tie chalk line to tacks and snap to create a guideline. Measure and cut strips 4" longer than the length of the short wall. After pasting or immersing in water tray, fold and book the paper. Support the paper with a broom head (a partner may be needed here). Open the first fold, slide into position against guideline and smooth as usual. Unfold strip, fold by fold, and brush into position leaving 1/2" overlapping the wall on long, finished edge side, and 2" overlap on the short, cut edges of the paper.

Switch plate and electrical outlets

Remember to turn off the electricity. Remove switch plates and outlet covers. Hang wallpaper and simply smooth strip gently over the outlet or switch area. With a sharp knife, pierce paper at the center of the fitting and make diagonal cuts toward each corner. Press paper against wall around edge. Trim away surplus. You can cover the outlets and switch plates with leftover wallcoverings.

Hanging borders

Measure wall width corner to corner. Each border strip should extend to full width of wall plus 1/2" to extend around corners.

Submerge border in water tray for prescribed time, book by loosely folding accordion fashion, and apply to the wall. If the border is being applied over wallcovering, do not wet border but use a vinyl to vinyl adhesive. Hang border, wrapping corners by about 1/4". Smooth as you go. Make sure you wipe with clean sponge to remove excess paste.

Repairing damages

Cut a piece of extra wallcovering slightly larger than the damaged area. Paste it in place over the damaged spot, carefully matching the pattern. Using a straight edge and sharp blade, cut through both layers of wallcoverings around the damaged area. Remove excess paper and position new patch into the opening.