3 Simple Steps for Properly Applying Your Wallpaper

Applying wallpaper to a room doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated as long as you make the right preparations and do it properly. You need to choose the right wallpaper for the room, get the right adhesive for the type of paper and use the right tools. Handyman Connection® of Alpharetta explains more:

Gathering Your Materials and Tools

Gather your materials and tools. You will need buckets, a paint roller, some rubber gloves, a paint tray, paint brush, sponge, sandpaper, straight edge, level, primer, pencil, drywall compound, putty knives and a utility knife. You’ll also need a wallpaper hanging kit and, of course, the wallpaper. When applying wallpaper, make sure that you are using the right adhesive. Check the label on your paper or vinyl wallpaper for the right one.

Preparing the Walls

Wipe down the room’s walls with a sponge and bucket of warm water. Make sure that the walls are thoroughly dry before sanding away imperfections. It’s important for the walls to be smooth, so fill in uneven areas with drywall compound using a large putty knife. Let the putty dry for 24 hours, then sand it smooth. Wipe away the dust off the walls using a damp sponge, and apply primer with a brush. The primer will help the wallpaper stick. When working along trim, we recommend using the large putty knife as a paint shield.

Applying the Wallpaper

Start by drawing a guideline on the wall. Make sure to use a straight edge and level to ensure the line is plumb. Cut the wallpaper and make sure there’s an extra four inches at the top. Get rid of the wallpaper’s natural tendency to curl up on itself by reverse-curling the paper. Spread the wallpaper on a flat surface and apply adhesive to it in a figure-eight motion. This ensures the application is even. Fold the ends of the paper on itself so you have dry paper to grip, carry it to the wall and stick it up. Use the guideline you drew to align the paper.

Use a smoothing brush to flatten the paper and trim away the excess with a utility knife. Repeat the hanging process until all the walls are covered and then use a seam roller to press the seams tightly together. Don’t worry if you see bubbles. It’s typical for air to get trapped when applying wallpaper. The bubbles should disappear as the adhesive dries and the wallpaper settles. If they don’t go away, puncture the bubble with a small pin and flatten the paper with the wallpaper sweep.

New wallpaper can brighten up a room and give it a makeover. While performing this home improvement project, why not plan other projects to transform your home? Handyman Connection of Alpharetta can assist you in a wide range of home remodeling and home maintenance tasks. Our handymen are courteous, experienced and professional. We also back our work with a satisfaction guarantee to ensure that our customers get what they want. Contact us to learn more about applying wallpaper. You can also ask for an estimate.