Step Two Hanging the Paper

Border Brilliance Handy Hints How Many Rolls Problems Solved Step One Preparation Step Two Hanging the Paper

Once you've stripped, filled, sanded and completely prepared, you're ready to start hanging.

Be Prepared

To work out how many rolls of paper you'll need, measure your walls and the distance around the room, including doors and windows, then use the chart in the "How many rolls?" section to work out the numbers.


Measuring and cutting

Measure the height of your wall between the cornice and skirting board. Add an extra 10cm for trimming and cut this length from the roll. Then measure and cut all the remaining lengths, checking for pattern matches. You'll find it easier and faster to cut out the lengths of wallpaper from each roll first. Number each drop in pencil on the back of the wallpaper, marking at the top.


Be Savvy

Check that all your wallpaper rolls are from the same batch.
Save offcuts for above doors and windows.

Where to start

Look around your room and note the feature walls that get most light and are most noticed. Start with these walls and work away from the light, planning to finish in the corner that is least noticed. This will help ensure any final joints or pattern matches are out of sight.

Keeping 'in plumb'

What looks straight to the eye isn't always so. Use a plumb line to hang the first length. Pin it about 50cm out from the corner where you want to start, then mark the wall for your true vertical to hang the first drop.

Using a water trough

A water trough makes the job easy. Place the trough hard up against the skirting board and fill it with lukewarm water. Read the soaking instructions, then loosely roll up your length of paper so the pattern is on the inside and place it in the water. Change your water at least every five drops.

Putting the paper up

After you've soaked it, hold the wallpaper at the top and draw it slowly under the wire and out of the trough. Keep the pasted surface facing the wall.
Allow the paper to relax and drain for the time suggested on the manufacturer's instructions before final positioning. Slide the top gently so that the edge of the wallpaper lines up exactly with the marks from your plumb line.


Be Savvy

Have your equipment close at hand, and you'll save frustrating trips up and down the ladder.

Allow a 5-10cm overhang at the top and bottom for trimming later. Grab your sponge, and wipe from the centre outwards. If large bubbles appear, lift the paper and smooth it down again. Small bubbles will disappear as the paper dries. The paper will stay workable for about 10-15 minutes, so take your time to get it right.

Trimming at top and bottom

Crease the wallpaper into the angle at the cornice and skirting board using the back edge of your scissors. Trim along the creased line with a straight edge and trimming knife. Remove any excess paste with a clean sponge.


After the first drop

Slide the next piece of wallpaper right next to the first sheet and butt all edges exactly and check your pattern matches.

Handling corners

Corners in a room aren't always 'true' (i.e. right angled) – especially in older houses. Any variation won't be noticeable if you follow these hints:

  1. Measure from the edge of the last drop to the corner, top and bottom. Add 2cm to the measurement.
  2. Cut the next drop to the width of step 1. Remember to check the pattern match and to cut the correct side away from the last drop.
  3. Hang the drop, overlapping it 2cm around the corner.
  4. Hang the off cut, lining up the pattern and overlapping the corner. Use your plumb line to check your vertical edge. If the wallpaper is a solid vinyl, then use PVA glue on the overlapped area for extra adhesion.

For outside corners, follow the same technique, but allow for a 3cm wrap-around.

Doors and windows

Hang your full length so it overlaps the frame. Use scissors to cut away most of the paper, leaving about 2cm still over-hanging. Feel where the top corner is under the paper and make a diagonal cut up to the point. Smooth down your paper, tapping gently into its final place with a bristle brush. Trim off the excess, and wipe off any excess paste.

Shortcuts for switches and plugs

Be Savvy
Make sure the power is off at the mains.
Work the paper into the areas as closely as possible. Make two diagonal cuts over the centre fitting, forming four triangles. Crease the flaps against the edge of the switch or plug and cut along the crease. Alternatively, unscrew the fitting, trim excess flaps and neatly tuck the paper under the plate.

Make sure the fitting is dry before switching power back on.