Should you hang your own wallpaper? It's an ambitious project. Read ahead and see if you're up to the task.
What kind of wallpaper is best? Look for pre-pasted paper (see Waverly and Sherwin-Williams for examples), which means that the back of the roll is coated with adhesive. This is the easiest to hang.
Washable or scrubbable? Washable paper may be gently cleaned with a sponge or soft towel and water, but only occasionally. Use this paper in bedrooms and living rooms. Scrubbable paper is sturdier and can be cleaned frequently with soap and water, making it ideal for high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl coated papers are scrubbable and easy-to-hang option for such rooms.
How much paper is needed? To determine how much wallpaper you need, measure your room's length, width and height. For height, only measure the portion of the wall you want papered—don't include moldings or base boards. Then plug these numbers into our wallpaper calculator. This will give you a rough estimate of how much you need.
What kind of prep is involved? You'll need to remove any old wallpaper or peeling paint, sand the surface and wash away any dirt or cobwebs. Always apply a wallpaper primer to help the paper adhere to the wall (even ceramic tiles and paneling). If your walls are marred by cracked or peeling plaster, you may want to skim coat before papering. If your walls are marked by moisture or grease, chose a stain-killing primer so that spots do not show through your new paper. Pick a paint color that matches the new wallpaper and paint trim and ceilings first.
How long does it take? Wallpaper is a great way to change a room's appearance, but it's not a quick DIY job. Though it depends on the size and layout of the room and the wallpaper itself, you should plan on spending two weekends to wallpaper a medium sized room.
How is wallpaper applied? You just soak the paper in a water tray to activate the paste. Non-pasted paper is sometimes referred to as dry back because it has no adhesive backing. If you choose one of these, make sure you get the right type of paste to go with it; they are formulated for specific weights and materials. Ask a salesperson for a paste recommendation.
Know when to go pro: If your room has elaborate architectural details, contact a pro. It's not worth your time or hassle. A professional paperhanger will also have the skills needed to work with special materials such as grasscloth, silk, flocked or hand-printed paper. Local wallpaper retailers should have contact information for professionals, or browse through listings on the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers.
DIY Shopping List:
- Screwdriver to remove switch plates and outlet covers
- Wallpaper scraper (if removing old paper)
- Sandpaper to prepare painted walls for papering
- Sponge, bucket, and cleanup cloths to clean wall before papering
- Drop cloth to protect floor and/or furniture
- Stepladder or step stool for reaching top of wall
- Water tray (if using pre-pasted papers)
- Paste brush or paint roller and tray (to add paste to papers)
- Carpenter's level or plumb bob (to ensure a true vertical line)
- Wide metal putty knife (to trim paper at the ceiling)
- Razor blade for cutting around doors, corners and ceiling
- Seam roller to flatten seams
- Brush to smooth out bubbles and wrinkles
