DIY

Wallpaper Tutorial

See how I hung wallpaper for the first time with this wallpaper tutorial.

Toy Room Wallpaper

Art Cart and wallpaper

I have always loved wallpaper, but I have major commitment issues.  So, I’ve always found other ways to get the look without actually using wallpaper. Like using starched fabric as wallpaper:

Rolling Starch on Wall

However, I bought what I thought was temporary wallpaper (peel, stick, and easily removable) for my kid’s playroom.  However, I bought the wrong stuff.  It was actual wallpaper.  The kind you have to add the paste to.  I LOVED this wallpaper (“Funky Frames” from Graham & Brown).  So I decided to go for it…

Wallpaper with Frames

In preparation, I watched a wallpaper tutorial on YouTube that you can see by clicking HERE.  It looked so easy. I started rounding up my wallpaper supplies:

  • Wallpaper
  • Wallpaper paste (if you don’t have pre-pasted wallpaper)
  • Scissors
  • Razor (I ended up not using it – the scissors worked best.)
  • Level (I used this for the first strip to make sure it was hung level.)
  • Roller
  • Paintbrush (I ended up preferring the roller.)
  • Tape measure
  • Tag / Bucket with water
  • Table (That you don’t mind getting paste all over.)

Wallpaper Supplies

Measure the wall.  (Before buying your wallpaper, there are all kinds of wallpaper calculators you can find online.)

Measuring before wallpaper

When you’re actually ready to begin, measure the height of the wall.  I measure twice and added about 2-3 inches.  I didn’t want to take any risks. Then, measure your wallpaper.  Measure twice and cut once!

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Once I had my first-panel cut, I layer it out on a table.  I used a plastic portable table because you will get past everywhere.

Wallpaper Paste

I also found that I preferred the foam roller over the brush when adding the paste.

Using Wallpaper Paste*

My paste dried pretty quickly, so I had to work fast.  I added the first panel to the center of my wall.  I left about an inch and the top and had leftover at the bottom.  I used a level along the side of the panel to make sure I was hanging the wallpaper straight.  (Don’t trust your ceiling line.) The first panel was pretty tough for me.  I was almost ready to throw in the towel.  However, I kept at it.  The following panels were so much easier to hang.

Adding Wallpaper

Start at the top of your panel and move down.  I used a wet rag to rub down my panel.  You will have to work out a lot of air bubbles. How to wallpaper

To cut the excess, I just rang my scissors along the ceiling line or trim line.  Then, I pulled back the wallpaper a little and cut off the extra.

Wallpaper Trimming

Playroom Wall Before

Finished Wallpaper

 

Art Cart with Frame Wallpaper

 

 Graham & Brown Frame Wallpaper

Please let me know if you have any wallpaper secrets or tips you’d like to share.  I’d love to hear them!  

Go create something!

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