Creating a wall with wallpaper is a great way to add color, texture, and personality to your home. Choose a wall that has the maximum impact when you enter the room. You can create a feature wall in your entry hall, your bedroom, living room or dining room. So many options!

If you’re a skilled type of person, you probably won’t have a problem hanging your own wallpaper. Here are some instructions to help you hang your wallpaper and create a beautiful feature wall.

Will need:

• Glue – prepare as directed
• Paste – prepare as directed
• Measuring tape
• Box cutter / stanley knife
• Large steel ruler or spirit level
• Roller
• Paint brush
• Soft clothes

Step 1. Preparation

Your wall should be clean, smooth, and dry. So sweep away those old cobwebs and get rid of the dust, dirt, and grime. We found that washing your walls with sugar soap and one of those big fat orange or yellow sponges you use to wash your car is a great way to clean them.

Sand off any irregularities. Putty the holes. Always remove old wall coverings before applying new wallpaper.

Step 2. Prepare the glue and paste

Most glue and paste mixtures require some time to set before applying to wallpaper, so prepare the mixture first to save yourself some time.

Follow the directions on your glue package and glue.

Generally, paste should be applied to the back of the wallpaper and glue should be applied to the wall at an edge around where the edge of the wallpaper will be applied.

Step 3. Measure and cut the wallpaper

This is the most difficult step if you have a repeating pattern and it must match. Always make sure you start with enough wallpaper to allow for the occasional mistake.

Measure the height of your wall. Allow an additional 2 inches (5 cm) to trim. Lay out the wallpaper and see where you have to cut it. Carefully cut the paper with a box cutter or stanley knife against a steel ruler or large alcohol leveler. Spread more wallpaper and match the pattern. Cut the wallpaper and discard the unpaired part.

Continue measuring, matching, and cutting the wallpaper until you have all the pieces to complete your feature wall.

Mark points vertically along the wall so that while hanging the wallpaper, you can verify that it is in a straight line.

Step 4. Apply the adhesive

Use a paint roller to generously apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper, from top to bottom. After you have applied the paste, fold the wallpaper over itself and again until it is only 30 cm wide. Place it in a large plastic garbage bag and set it aside for 30 minutes to allow the paste to absorb into the wallpaper. Continue with each strip of wallpaper. Keep folding the wallpaper until it is a size that will fit comfortably in a plastic bag or garbage bag. Remove the air from the plastic bag and seal it to help prevent the wallpaper from drying out as it will take some time before you are ready to hang the last strip.

After you’ve waited the required time for the paste to set, apply the glue to the wall at an edge around where the edge of the wallpaper will be. Use the pencil marks you made earlier as a guide. The border should be about 3 to 4 inches (10 cm) wide.

Step 5. Hang the wallpaper

We start at the top and usually work from left to right. Don’t forget your extra 2 ” border at the top! Use your hands and a soft sponge to smooth the wallpaper against the wall. Then use a plastic lathe to lightly smooth the wallpaper and remove air bubbles and excess paste. Use the markings on the wall to make sure you hang the wallpaper in a straight line.

Use a soft cloth to remove excess glue from the edges.

Match the edges of the wallpaper exactly. If you find that there is a small gap between each strip of wallpaper, work from the center of the strip and gently massage the wallpaper in the direction of the gap. Use your hands or a special wallpaper roller. Do the same from the other side.

It is important to smooth the surface of the wallpaper while it is still wet from the paste to ensure that all air bubbles are removed. Continue to remove excess glue as well and watch for air bubbles that may arise as the paste dries.

When you have hung each strip, cut off the excess edge at the top and bottom.

Once you’ve cleaned up, it’s time to take a step back and admire your helpful work!