Wallpapering can seem intimidating at first, but once you break it down, it’s just a series of simple steps with a dash of patience and good tunes in the background. Plus, if you fall for the right design, your walls will thank you every day!
Picking the Perfect Wallpaper—Trust Your Heart and Go Smart
Go with something that sparks joy! Trendy or timeless, if it makes you smile, it’s a winner. And, always buy one extra roll—you’ll thank yourself if you need to patch or make a mistake.
Buying Wallpaper Online
- Order Samples First—Those online photos —visit website—can be dreamy (or deceptive). Most reputable shops offer small swatches—order a couple and see how they vibe in your lighting. It’s worth that little wait!
- Double (and Triple) Check Rolls & Repeat—Wallpapers come in rolls, but lengths and widths vary, and so do repeat patterns (the vertical jump before it repeats). Bigger repeats mean more wallpaper. Always measure your total square footage and order a bit extra for mistakes and future fixes.
- Easy Returns—Make sure the store has a fair return policy, just in case the design or color isn’t quite right in person.
- Compare Material Type—Look for words like “washable,” “scrubbable,” “peel-and-stick,” “pre-pasted,” or “non-woven” in the description. The material impacts both how it looks and how it survives your daily life.
Reputable Online Wallpaper Shops (Global & US/UK Suggestions)
- Spoonflower (super artsy, custom options, peel & stick available)
- Wallpaper Direct (nice range, samples galore, international delivery)
- Wallmur (gorgeous statement options)
- Wayfair and Home Depot/Lowe’s (wide selection, user reviews)
Want to support artists? Check Etsy for boutique patterns and murals!
In the UK, Graham & Brown is a longtime favorite.
Material Matters: Traffic & Humidity
There are peel-and-stick wallpapers (super forgiving for beginners), traditional paste-the-wall, and pre-pasted. Stick-on is easiest if you’re new.
High Traffic / Kids / Pets?
Vinyl or Non-Woven—These are MVPs—tough, washable, and usually easy to remove later. Great for hallways, entries, or kids’ rooms.
Bathrooms/Kitchens = Humidity
Solid Vinyl—More water-resistant, easy to clean, less likely to peel in humid spots. Avoid paper-only wallpaper in wet areas—it’ll peel and sag faster than a rainy-day picnic.
Living Room Statement Wall
Here you can play! If it’s not a splash zone or wrestle arena, go wild with textured or specialty papers—or even murals. Just remember, delicate or fabric-backed options need more gentle care.
Design Decisions: Full Room vs. Accent Wall
The four walls project feels immersive or dramatic; best with subtle, flexible patterns, especially if the furniture or art is bold. On the other hand, a mural is perfect for that heart-swelling wow factor, and uses less wallpaper if you’ve fallen for something fancy or spendy. Great behind sofas, beds, or in reading nooks.
Pro’s advice: Play with temporary placement (use masking tape and samples) to find where the eye naturally lands. That spot is accent wall gold.
Gather Your Gear
- Basic Musts—Smoother (plastic or felt), sharp utility knife, measuring tape, level, pencil, sponge, bucket, ladder.
- Paste (if needed)—Check if wallpaper is “paste-the-wall” or “paste-the-paper.” Buy adhesive accordingly.
- Extra—Drop cloth (protects floors), seam roller (for those beautiful tight edges), straight edge (for perfect trims).
- Kids in the room? Go for plastic smoothers and keep sharp items on a nearby shelf. Give little ones a safe paintbrush or a water-sponge “helper” role (they’ll love wiping seams).
No need to break the bank—big box stores or online retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Target have solid budget-friendly options. For specialty gear, local paint or wallpaper stores are goldmines of advice.
Prepping Your Walls
Why does prepping your walls actually matter? Lots of “lazy” folks (let’s call them efficiency experts) wonder the exact same stuff when faced with more steps than they bargained for. Prepping can feel like that extra broccoli before dessert. But here’s why the pros and seasoned weekend warriors swear by it.
Smooth Walls = Smooth Results
If your wall has bumps, old paint flakes, or nail holes, the wallpaper hugs all that texture—magnifying every little flaw. Skipping prep? You might end up with visible lumps, “ghosts” of old repairs, or patches where the paper doesn’t quite stick.
Better Stick, Longer Life
Clean, dust-free walls help the wallpaper adhere properly. If there’s grease, dust, or old glue? Your beautiful paper might peel, bubble, or sag prematurely.
Goodbye Scrape Marks (Later)
Primer (or specifically, wallpaper primer/sealer) helps the wallpaper come off cleanly when you want to redecorate—future you will definitely say thanks.
Think of it as priming your canvas. Clean, dry, smooth walls are the goal. Patch holes and sand bumps. A primer helps removable paper come off clean later, too. Prepping adds maybe an hour or two, but saves mountains of regret later. It’s like putting a fresh sheet on your bed—it just feels right after!
The Plumb Line: Why Bother?
Walls aren’t as straight as you’d think. Even in new builds, corners and ceilings can be a little wonky. If you start your wallpaper “by eye” or against a crooked edge, each strip will sneak downhill, and the pattern will look like it’s sliding away by the time you get to the last wall.
The plumb line keeps you honest—and your pattern looking sharp. Use a level or plumb line to draw a vertical line on the wall—that’s where you’ll line up your first strip.
It only takes a minute with a level or even an app on your phone. Draw that one faint, straight, vertical line, and use it to line up your first strip. Everything else copies from that champion, and your walls will look professional even if the house itself has a few quirks.
Don’t just trust the corner of the wall (again,houses are sneaky and not always straight).
Applying (cue the groovy playlist)
Don’t rush. Giving yourself grace is half the process. Invite a friend—music, snacks, and teamwork make it a blast. Let’s keep the process joyful—mistakes happen (even to seasoned pros) and often lead to creative surprises. With a can-do attitude and this prep work, you’ll knock this out of the park!
- Measure and cut your strips, adding a couple of extra inches at the top and bottom just in case. Measure twice, add about 10-15% extra!
- If using paste, brush it on the back and “book” the paper (fold ends in so pasted sides touch).
- Peel-and-stick? Just peel a bit of the backing to get started, line up that edge on your plumb line, and smooth it down as you go to avoid bubbles. If you’re totally new, peel-and-stick is your lower-stress, redo-friendly buddy.
- Smooth from the center outward with the smoother, and gently press out any air pockets. Trim excess from top and bottom with your knife. Wipe away glue with a damp sponge while it’s still wet.
Pattern Matching
Patterned wallpaper? That’s where things can get a little spicy, but also super satisfying when it clicks. Take your time if there’s a repeating pattern—line up each new strip with care, even if it means wasting a little paper for the perfect connection. The result is worth it!
- Dry Run
Before you commit, “dry-hang” the first two strips side by side (without paste/stick), so you can spot how the repeat lines up. This helps you plan cuts and avoid waste.
- Always Start with the Most Complete Pattern Near Eye Level
If your pattern has a big flower or graphic, center that feature where it matters most—behind the couch, above the bed, etc.
- Number Your Strips
Unroll and cut your strips in advance, lay them out on the floor in order, and mark the back with pencil (A, B, C…). It keeps everything straight. If you mess up a section, most wallpapers let you gently pull off and try again (especially peel-and-stick).
- Overlap and Trim
When applying, make sure the edge of the new strip perfectly matches the previous one (don’t stretch it to fit—take a breath and gently pat it in place). If your wallpaper allows for a slight overlap, go for it, but usually, you want edge-to-edge.
- Keep a Damp Sponge Handy
Clean as you go! A quick wipe removes excess adhesive before it dries, and prevents little glue stains.
Take breaks to look at your progress from a few feet away—sometimes patterns play tricks up close, but line up beautifully from the other side of the room.
There are no wallpaper emergencies—just opportunities for style improvisation.
If you get a tiny misalignment, don’t stress! Most people won’t notice unless they’re up close with a magnifying glass (and if they are, hand them a brush and put them to work!).
Stand back and admire! If it’s not perfect, no worries—the charm is in knowing you did it yourself. At the end of the day, your space will have a piece of your heart and creativity on display. Nothing feels quite as cool as crafting your own cozy, happy corners.