Wallpaper has been used since the 16th century to give light and a refined touch to the spaces of the home, and it is still a great way to give a special touch to a room that lacks personality. The wallpaper can be found in different colors, styles and materials and can brighten the children's room or add a calm note to the study. It's a great weekend project that you can make yourself by learning how to choose wallpaper, how to prepare the walls, and how to apply the paper correctly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Buying the Wallpaper
Step 1. Determine how much paper you need to wallpaper the room
With a meter, measure the length of each wall and the height from floor to ceiling.
- If the walls are square, you can add the length of each wall and then multiply the result by the height, in order to obtain the total area.
- In the shop, check how much area each roll of paper covers and divide the total area of the room by this number in order to understand how many rolls you need. When you apply the paper, you will need more of it than you need to cover the actual area of the room because you will have to match the texture, so buy more.
Step 2. Choose the right type of material for the room to be wallpapered
The wallpaper is available in various materials, with lots of features to consider depending on the difficulty and the room you have chosen. Some are more difficult to apply while others are simpler, especially for beginners.
- There vinyl wallpaper it is the most common type, easy to apply and to remove. Vinyl paper on canvas is resistant to moisture and very versatile, therefore excellent for covering bathrooms and basements. It generally comes with an adhesive so it is also easy to apply and manage.
- There embossed wallpaper it is structured and modeled, ideal for covering the imperfections of the walls. It's easy to paint and lined with glue, which means it will be versatile for years to come too.
- There fabric wallpaper it is more difficult to apply, because you have to use adhesive paste. This means on the one hand taking more time to work, but on the other hand greater control over the final result. Flocked fabrics give a professional effect to the work, but are difficult to clean.
Step 3. Choose the pattern that best suits the room
Although it will take a little longer to apply, the patterned wallpaper adds a unique touch to any room. If you want to buy a wallpaper with a particular pattern, you need to make sure you match the designs well and avoid inconsistencies. You can also make the room look larger by using patterned wallpaper.
- Use horizontal motifs to make the room seem larger. If the room is small and has high ceilings, using a horizontal pattern can make it look cozier. Rooms that are not perfectly square, on the other hand, are not suitable for this type of fantasy, because they could worsen the effect.
- Use a vertical pattern to make the ceiling appear higher. If you have low ceilings, a vertical pattern can help fool the eye.
Step 4. Choose between pasted or pre-pasted wallpaper
In general, if possible, it is better to use adhesive paper, which is much easier to install. To do this, simply remove the film from the back of the paper and apply it by pressing firmly and evenly on the wall. Other variations are typically more complicated to lay.
- There pre-pasted wallpaper it is similar to adhesive, but you will need to activate the glue on the back with water or another substance provided by the manufacturer.
- For the classic wallpaper you also have to buy some special glue to use during installation. This type of paper is usually more expensive and more complicated to apply, especially if you are alone.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Walls
Step 1. Turn off the power and remove the electrical outlet plates with a screwdriver
To protect yourself and the sockets, it is best to remove the plates in order to ensure a good result. If necessary, also protect the sockets with adhesive tape. Put small pieces of duct tape over sockets and switches to cover them.
If you use water to activate the wallpaper glue, it is necessary to disconnect the power in the room to avoid shock or damage the sockets. Make sure you turn off the power
Step 2. Remove the old wallpaper if necessary
Start tearing off small sections of wallpaper to figure out what kind of paper you are dealing with (self-adhesive is much easier to peel off) and use a spatula to get started if necessary. Peel off the paper carefully, removing as much of it as possible and scraping the glue residue off the wall.
- When planning the work, expect to take a lot of time to remove the old paper. It may take longer than to put on the new one so don't do all this work in one day or you will get discouraged.
- If the wallpaper is very old, it may be more difficult to remove and you may need to use a sander to remove the paper and glue. In this case, be careful not to damage the underlying wall.
Step 3. Clean the walls thoroughly
Start by cleaning the walls with a common household cleaning product and let it dry completely before checking for mold. It is very important to remove all traces of mold before applying the wallpaper to prevent it from spreading. To get rid of the mold, wash the walls with a solution made from 0.5 liters of bleach to about 3.8 liters of water.
Step 4. Repair any cracks in the wall
Since you have the opportunity, it is best to fix the wall before wallpapering it. With a spatula, apply some putty in cracks and holes and wait until it is completely dry. Next, sand the surface using fine-grained sandpaper.
Step 5. Prepare the wall using a primer
Brush the primer on the walls before installing the wallpaper. The primer (or fixative) will help the paper adhere better to the wall and will be an excellent base for laying.
Part 3 of 3: Wallpaper
Step 1. Draw guidelines on the walls
On the wall next to the entrance door, measure a distance about 5 cm shorter than the width of the wallpaper. Mark the spot with a pencil. Use a level and pencil to draw a vertical line from the ceiling to the floor that intersects the point. Use this line as a starting point for laying the wallpaper.
Step 2. Cut a piece of wallpaper to be approximately 10cm longer than the wall
Apply glue to the back of the paper or, if you are using pre-glued paper, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly lay it. Scissors are perfect for cutting wallpaper.
Step 3. Match the paper to the line you drew on the wall
Starting from the ceiling, apply the paper so that about 5 cm of it advances both up, towards the ceiling, and down, towards the floor. Carefully align the paper and press firmly to secure it to the wall.
Step 4. Flatten the paper using a wallpaper brush
To get an excellent result, you need to eliminate ripples and any air bubbles so that the upholstery is not uneven. Smooth the paper from the center outwards, applying enough pressure to let the air bubbles out from the edges.
If there are wrinkles, gently pull the paper away until you reach the wrinkle and slowly squeeze it to remove it
Step 5. Continue laying, making sure to match the designs on the wallpaper
Align the next piece to the previous one. When you lay the paper, it is important to match the designs of the fantasy as closely as possible. To align them, start from a center point so they fit together as closely as possible and cut the excess paper above and below.
Cut the top and bottom of each piece of paper. When applying the paper, be careful not to tear it. Use a spatula to make the paper adhere to the wall and cut off the excess with a cutter
Step 6. Pass a seam roller over each seam of the paper
When wallpapering the room, make sure there is enough glue on the seams to prevent the paper from lifting. So be careful not to press too hard or you risk the glue coming out from under the paper.
Step 7. Clean the seams
Wipe off excess glue with a damp sponge after letting the paper sit for at least 15 minutes. Then make sure the seams are clean and that there are no unsightly excess glue residues.
