HGTV.comHGTV.com

Wallpapering

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-404 -- More Projects »
Click here to view a larger image.

Tie a small weight to a piece of lightweight string and hold the opposite end of the string against the wall to mark a straight line before hanging the first piece of wallpaper.
Home-maintenance expert Darcy Westlind provides wallpapering tips.
  • Before beginning to wallpaper, lay down a protective sheet on your floors. An old plastic shower curtain works really well for this.

  • Prepare the surface of the walls by wiping them down, then applying prep or sizing--a clear or off-white liquid that will help the wallpaper adhere to the wall. Use a paint roller to apply. Don't use any cleaners that contain phosphorus, as these will affect the adhesion process.

  • Be sure to have a large work area for measuring and cutting wallpaper before adhering it to the wall. A large kitchen table works well, or lay an old door across two sawhorses.

  • Hanging the first strip of wallpaper to the wall is the most important strip. It must be perfectly straight, as it will be the model for all other strips. Take a level and hold it vertically against the wall. When it is perfectly straight, draw a line with a pencil to mark the position for the first strip.

  • When cutting the strips of wallpaper, leave two inches at the top and the bottom for exact trimming later. All strips must match the first strip perfectly. Use tape to make measuring marks on the work surface.

  • If using prepasted wallpaper, wet it in a tray two-thirds full of warm water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 seconds. Remove and place on the work surface, paste-side up.

  • The next step is to book the wallpaper in preparation for hanging it on the wall. Fold the two strips' ends over so that they meet in the middle of the strip. Be sure not to crease the paper, then roll the strip loosely. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Wetting sometimes causes the paper to expand slightly.

  • To apply the wallpaper strip, lift up the booked wallpaper by the top. The top will unfold. Adhere the wallpaper to the wall, 1/8 of an inch from the penciled guideline. Smooth the paper along the length of the guideline and then smooth toward the opposite edge.

  • Use the sponge to smooth out the wallpaper and to remove any extra paste. Use two pails of water, one for dirty water and one for clean, and change the water frequently while wallpapering.

  • To make a seam, slide the edge of one strip firmly over the previously laid strip so that they overlap slightly. Roll over the seam with an oval seam roller. As the paper dries, the seam will lessen. Check after five minutes to make sure the seam is drying properly. It will be almost impossible to fix after it dries.

  • When only one strip is left to finish, change the direction of the wallpapering. Always begin and finish wallpapering in the least noticeable part of the room. Overlap one strip of wallpaper onto the other strip. Cut through both layers of wallpaper and remove scraps. Adhere a scrap to the cut so that the drywall is protected.

  • According to an expert, both the prepasted and nonpasted wallpapers are equally easy to use.

Also in this Episode
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-404
•Wallpapering
•Comfortable Outdoor Area
•Preparing Fondue
•Tip of the Day
HGTV.com
Services Popular Content About
Our Sister Sites

Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.