How to hang wallpaper

Start by repairing your walls, using gap filler and a spatula to fill in any cracks or holes. Allow to dry before sanding down any rough areas. Wipe down your walls with a simple solution of mild dishwashing detergent and warm water using a microfibre cloth. Alternatively, you can use sugar soap wipes to get a professional-level clean. Clear any furniture away from the walls or cover pieces with a drop cloth to protect them. 

You’re going to be working with wallpaper in sections. Lay out your wallpaper on a clean, flat surface to measure its width. Using the width of your paper minus one or two centimetres to account for overlap, mark this distance from the edge of your wall. By overlapping the wallpaper onto the next wall, you can cut it accurately, ensuring a clean, finished edge and this will also assist in helping the pattern line up.

Use a level to draw a starting vertical guideline for your first piece of wallpaper. This will create a guide as to where to place your first piece of wallpaper.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the wallpaper paste (also referred to as wallpaper glue or adhesive) in a clean bucket. Use a painter’s stick to stir thoroughly until the paste reaches a smooth consistency. 

Apply the wallpaper paste like it’s paint. Cut in the edges with a paintbrush and then use a roller to apply the paste in larger sections, going a little wider than the marked line on your wall. Make sure you have even coverage and haven’t missed any spots.

Start by aligning the edge of your first piece of wallpaper with the pencil marking you made, making sure to leave a little overhang at the top. Smooth the paper as you go. 

Leave some overhang at the bottom, using a wallpaper trimmer to trim the excess paper at the top and bottom.  

When you get to power points and light switches, you’ll need to work around them. Start by turning off the power at the circuit breaker for safety.

Next, use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws and pop off the cover plate. Hang the wallpaper directly over the power points and light switches as you go. When you’ve finished applying the wallpaper, come back to the power points and any edges or light switches.

Taking a pair of scissors, cut from the outermost corner of the power point or light switch diagonally to the other corner. Do the same to the other side to create an X-shaped cut. Use the trimmer to cut the edges of the power point or light switch. Don’t forget to pop the covers back on when you’re done – this will hide any uneven edges and give you a clean finish. 

Learn how to remove wallpaper.