Tips for hanging wallpaper

While wallpapering may seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. With the appropriate tools, pre-pasted wallpaper, and a little bit of know-how, anyone can accomplish wallpapering a room or two.

Wallpapering can be a breeze as long as one has the appropriate tools on hand. Make sure you have items such as wall primer and brushes, a smoother, a cutter such as a razor, a seam roller, and a water tray. You will also need a step ladder, dry sponges, a yardstick, scissors and pencil, a work area, putty and a putty knife, clean rags, and a screwdriver.

Always prepare the walls before you start to wallpaper. Remove all wall hangings, nails, outlet covers, and curtains. If there is old wallpaper on the walls, take the time to remove it. Using a putty knife and putty, fill in any cracks or holes in the walls. When this dries, take sand paper and smooth the area. Once the walls are dry, it is time to prime the walls. All walls should be primed before they are papered.

When you are ready to start wallpapering, look around the room for the least noticeable spot. This will be the starting and ending points for the wallpaper. It is important to realize that the seams will probably not match at this point and that is why it needs to be inconspicuous.

When making the decision to wallpaper, it is always best to recruit someone to help with the process. It can be done alone but is much easier if you have some help. Time goes much faster if one person does the hanging and the other does the measuring, the cutting, and the activation.

The design of the wallpaper can be what is the most time consuming. If one chooses a pattern-free paper the application will go on smoothly and quickly. With a patterned print, it takes time to match up the seams to insure a uniform look. Patterned wallpaper can also be costly due to the amount of paper being wasted when trying to match seams.

When it is time to adhere the wallpaper to the wall, the bubbles will need to be pressed out. This is done using a sponge or seam roller. Use a gentle touch at this step. Pressing to hard will run the risk of tearing the wallpaper or pulling it away from the adjacent piece.

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