Redo Renew Recycle - Home Decorating On a Budget

Now let’s take a look at how to hang wallpaper. Ideally, it’s a two person job, however it can be managed by yourself. I have been brave enough to try it on my own, and while I have managed very capably, it still would have been easier with a partner.

Always start your first seam in a corner or a doorway. Measure ½ an inch less than the actual width of the wallpaper, and make a mark. Using a level and a plumb bob, draw a vertical line from this point to the ceiling and floor. Measure the height of the wall, and place the desired pattern of the wallpaper at the ceiling line, cutting a strip that is four inches longer than the wall.

There are two main ways to hang the paper…

One – Re-roll the strip of wallpaper, glue side out, and slide it through a water tray (these are available at most retail stores that offer paper) feed the paper under the bar, and as it soaks, guide it up the wall to where you have placed your mark, making sure to overlap the ceiling by approximately 2 inches. Take care to align your paper with the mark and not the corner or door frame.

Using a damp sponge, smooth the bubbles out of the paper, starting in the middle, and working towards the edges. This method works well if you only have one person working.

Two – Re-roll the strip of wallpaper, glue side out, and soak it very briefly in the water tray. (There are timed instructions with the wallpaper.) Now pull the strip face down onto a table. Fold the top two thirds over itself, paste side in and the bottom third over itself. Be very careful not to crease the paper.

Unfold the top of the strip and smooth it in place, again, making sure to overlap the ceiling by approximately 2 inches. Keep the paper aligned with your mark and not the door frame or corner. Next, open and smooth the bottom fold of paper. Use a damp sponge to smooth out the air bubbles, starting from the center of the paper and working towards the edges.

Very carefully, trim the top and bottom edges of the strip with a sharp knife – the sharper the better, as wet paper doesn’t cut well at all. Take your time to avoid the paper bunching or ripping. Do the same with windows and door moldings.

Repeat these steps (either the first or second methods) with the next strip, and slide it into place beside the first, carefully matching the patterns, edges touching, but not overlapping. After a few minutes, flatten the edges carefully with a roller. If you press too hard, you might squeeze the glue out and the edges won’t stick.

When you have finished covering the walls, recycle the paper and use it to recover waste paper baskets, lampshades, or picture frames. Redo window shades to match the walls, and add accents to bookshelves, books or photo albums.