Wallpaper has made a spectacular comeback in the world of interior design, offering an incredible array of textures, colors, and patterns that paint simply cannot replicate. Whether you are looking to create a stunning accent wall in your living room or wrap a cozy powder room in a bold, botanical print, wallpaper is the ultimate design tool. However, for many homeowners, the thought of installing it themselves can feel incredibly daunting.
The good news? Achieving a flawless, professional-looking finish is entirely possible with the right preparation, the proper tools, and a little bit of patience. At Mwalls, we believe that bringing your design vision to life should be an exciting and rewarding process. That is why we have put together this comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you master the art of wallpaper installation. Let’s dive in and transform your space!
1. Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
Before you unroll your beautiful new Mwalls wallpaper, you need to set up your workspace. Having the right tools on hand will save you time and prevent frustrating mistakes midway through the project.
Essential Installation Tools
Do not skimp on your toolkit. To install wallpaper like a seasoned professional, you will need a dedicated set of supplies. Gather a reliable tape measure, a pencil, and a spirit level or laser level to ensure your starting lines are perfectly straight. For cutting, a high-quality utility knife with plenty of snap-off blades is non-negotiable—a dull blade will tear wet paper instantly. You will also need a wallpaper smoother (a flexible plastic tool), a seam roller, a large sponge, a bucket of clean water, a paste brush or paint roller, and a broad putty knife to use as a straight-edge guide when trimming.
Choosing the Right Adhesive
Selecting the correct adhesive is just as crucial as choosing the right paper. Wallpapers come in various materials, from vinyl and non-woven to delicate grasscloth, and each requires a specific type of glue. Clear adhesives are generally excellent for most standard residential wallpapers because they dry transparently and are easy to clean up. Clay-based adhesives offer an incredibly strong bond, making them ideal for heavy commercial vinyl or textured papers. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations on your Mwalls wallpaper roll to ensure you are purchasing the exact paste formulated for your specific product.
2. Prepare Your Wall Surface
Professional wallpaper installers know a secret that most DIYers overlook: the final result is only as good as the wall underneath it. Proper preparation is the foundation of a seamless installation.
Clean, Patch, and Smooth the Wall
Wallpaper will not hide major wall imperfections; in fact, a glossy or highly patterned paper can sometimes highlight them. Start by removing any old wallpaper, flaking paint, or picture hooks. Wash the walls thoroughly with a mild degreaser or sugar soap to remove dirt, oils, and grime that could prevent the adhesive from bonding. Next, inspect the wall for holes, cracks, or dents. Fill any imperfections with spackling compound, allow it to dry completely, and sand it down until the surface is perfectly flush and smooth. Run your hand over the wall—if you can feel a bump, you will see it through the paper.
Apply a Wallpaper Primer (Sizing)
Never apply wallpaper directly to bare drywall or freshly painted walls without priming first. Applying a specialized wallpaper primer, traditionally known as “sizing,” serves multiple vital purposes. First, it seals the porous surface of the wall, preventing it from soaking up all the moisture from your adhesive (which would cause the paper to peel). Second, it provides a slight “slip” to the wall, allowing you to easily slide and maneuver the wallpaper strips into perfect alignment before the glue sets. Finally, a good primer ensures that if you ever decide to redecorate in the future, the wallpaper can be removed without ripping the drywall paper off with it.
3. Measure and Cut the Wallpaper
With your walls prepped and primed, it is time to measure your space and cut your strips. Accuracy here will save you from wasting expensive material.
Measure the Wall Dimensions Accurately
Measure the height of your wall from the ceiling edge (or crown molding) down to the top of the baseboard. Do not assume your ceiling is perfectly level—measure the height at several different points across the wall to find the longest drop. Once you have your maximum height, add at least two to four inches to that measurement. This extra length provides a safety margin for trimming at the top and the bottom, allowing you to achieve a perfectly flush edge even if your room is slightly out of square.
Cut Strips and Match the Pattern
If you are using a solid color or a highly textured paper with a “random match,” cutting is straightforward. However, most decorative wallpapers feature a repeating pattern. You will need to determine if your paper has a “straight match” (the pattern aligns perfectly horizontally across the strips) or a “drop match” (the pattern staggers diagonally). Unroll two strips side-by-side on a large, clean table or the floor. Align the pattern of the second strip to the first before cutting. Always number the back of your strips in pencil at the top edge so you know exactly what order to hang them in.
4. Apply the Adhesive
How you apply the paste depends entirely on the type of wallpaper you have purchased. Modern manufacturing has introduced new, user-friendly materials, but traditional papers still require classic techniques.
Paste the Wall vs. Paste the Paper Techniques
Check your Mwalls installation instructions to see if your product is “Paste the Wall” or “Paste the Paper.”
Paste the Wall: This technique is typically used for modern non-woven wallpapers. It is incredibly DIY-friendly because you simply roll the adhesive directly onto the wall using a paint roller, covering an area just slightly wider than one strip. You then apply the dry wallpaper directly to the glued wall.
Paste the Paper: Traditional paper-backed wallpapers require you to apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper itself. Lay the strip face-down on your work table, and use a paste brush or roller to apply an even, generous coat of adhesive from the center outward, ensuring the edges are fully coated.
The Booking Process Explained
If you are using the “Paste the Paper” method, you must “book” the wallpaper before hanging it. Booking allows the paper fibers to absorb the moisture from the paste, relax, and expand fully. To book the paper, gently fold the top and bottom pasted edges inward so they meet in the middle, ensuring the pasted sides are touching (do not crease the folds). Let the paper sit for the exact time specified by the manufacturer—usually between 3 to 10 minutes. Skipping this step will result in the wallpaper expanding on the wall, creating massive bubbles and buckled seams.
5. Hang the Wallpaper Strips
This is the moment your room begins to transform. Precision and a gentle touch are your best friends here.
Set a Plumb Line for the First Drop
Never use the corner of a room, a doorframe, or a window as a guide for hanging your first strip—houses settle, and architectural features are almost never perfectly straight. Instead, use a spirit level or a laser level to draw a faint vertical pencil line on the wall, exactly one inch less than the width of your wallpaper away from the starting corner. When you hang your first strip, line the right edge up with this plumb line. The extra inch will wrap into the corner, ensuring your primary visual edge is absolutely straight.
Smooth Out Air Bubbles and Wrinkles
Unfold the top half of your booked wallpaper (or apply the dry roll to your pasted wall) and position it along your plumb line, leaving a couple of inches overlapping the ceiling. Once the edge is aligned, use your plastic wallpaper smoother to gently press the paper onto the wall. Always work from the center of the strip outwards and downwards to push out any trapped air bubbles or excess paste. Unfold the bottom half and repeat the process. Be firm but gentle; pressing too hard can stretch the paper or squeeze all the glue out from behind it.
6. Trim Excess and Perfect the Seams
The final steps are all about finesse, ensuring your installation looks crisp, clean, and seamless.
Trim the Top, Bottom, and Corners
Once the strip is smoothed into place, use your broad putty knife to press the paper tightly into the corner where the wall meets the ceiling or baseboard. Using the knife as a hard, straight guide, take your sharp utility knife and carefully slice away the excess paper. Pro Tip: Keep your utility knife blade resting against the glass or metal guide, and do not lift the blade until the cut is finished. Snap off the tip of your utility blade after every single strip to ensure a razor-sharp cut that won’t tear the damp paper.
Wipe Away Excess Glue
As you smooth the paper and butt the seams tightly together (never overlap your seams unless specifically instructed to do so), a small amount of paste will likely squeeze out onto the face of the wallpaper. Keep a bucket of clean, warm water and a soft sponge nearby. Immediately wipe away any excess adhesive from the front of the wallpaper, the ceiling, and the baseboards. Change your sponge water frequently so you aren’t just smearing diluted glue across your beautiful new walls. Run a seam roller gently over the edges to ensure they lay perfectly flat.
Ready to Transform Your Walls? Book a Free Consultation with Mwalls Today!
Installing wallpaper like a pro requires a bit of prep work and patience, but the breathtaking results are entirely worth the effort. By following these steps, you can confidently elevate your home’s interior, adding unparalleled character and style to any room.
However, we understand that tackling a wallpaper project can still feel overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with complex layouts, high ceilings, or delicate luxury materials. You do not have to do it alone! At Mwalls, we offer an exquisite collection of premium wallpapers and the expert guidance to match. Whether you need help selecting the perfect pattern for your aesthetic or you want to hand the installation over to our seasoned professionals, we are here to help.
Ready to bring your design dreams to life? Contact Mwalls today to book a free consultation. Let our experts guide you from inspiration to flawless installation!