HOW TO... Wallpaper

Wallpapering can be frustrating.

Entire books have been written on the process, and hanging paper around windows and doors does require an element of expertise.

But a flat “feature” wall can be papered successfully by following a few simple steps.

First – prepare the wall. When wallpaper dries, it shows any imperfections on the surface so all holes should be filled and bumps scraped off. Treat the walls with wallpaper primer. This seals the wall, ensuring the adhesive stays in liquid form for longer allowing you extra minutes to manoeuvre the paper into position.

How you cut and hang your paper will depend on its pattern.

For papers without a vertical pattern repeat, such as woven coverings or vertical stripes, or for papers with a vertical repeat of less than three inches, just measure the height of the wall and add about five inches (so that you will have enough paper to “find” the pattern at the top of the wall with each sheet).

For papers with a vertical pattern repeat of more than three inches, place the paper on the floor at the base of the wall and, holding the paper against the wall, pull up enough paper to reach the ceiling.

Move the paper up and down to adjust the position of the most dominant pattern. Then mark the paper at the intersection of the ceiling. Take it down to cut, giving an extra three inches above your mark top and bottom.

When placing on the wall, only allow the side of the wallpaper you are assigning to a plumb line. This will make it easier to slide into place.

Don’t force misaligned paper into position. Overworking stretches it, and when the paper returns to its normal size, the seam will open.

Use a smoothing brush to flatten the paper against the wall. Brush carefully away from the edge, making sure the seam is tight and there are no air bubbles.

Trim the excess paper top and bottom and use a seam roller to seal. Be firm but don’t press so hard that you roll out all the adhesive.

As you finish hanging each drop, check the previous seam. If the edge has lifted, lightly re-roll it.

If it has pulled apart, smooth the paper toward the seam or give it a little tap toward the seam with the smoothing brush.