How to apply wallpaper

How to Measure

Taking measurements doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. We only need two very important measurements – the width and the height of your wall, in centimeters. For the width, measure the horizontal distance of the wall from the right to the left-hand sides.

• For the height, measure the vertical distance of the wall from the floor to the ceiling.
• Then combine the width of each wall and multiply this by the ceiling height.
• That will give you an idea of how many rolls you require.

*There are also a few important tips you should keep in mind:

• Make sure the wall has a smooth even surface.
• Make sure the wall does not suffer from damp issues.
• Double-check by measuring both sides of the walls as some ceilings are not that level and neither are the side walls.
• If you are in doubt of your measurements, add a little extra, as an extra few cm are easy to trim.
• Use a tape measure and not a ruler or cellphone.

Prepping the wall

Your wall needs to be properly prepared for it to receive its new wallpaper. If your wall is properly prepared, the wallpaper will be correctly applied, its adhesive will be far more effective and there will be no bumps or spots which will ruin the effect. If your wall is properly prepared, it will also make it easier to remove the wallpaper should you wish to change it in the future.Please follow the guidelines below on how to ensure that your wall is ready for its new dressing:

• Remove any wallpaper that is currently on the wall.
• Remove any hooks, nails or protruding services.
• Remove any dirt, dust or residue on your wall with warm water and detergent.
• Paint your feature wall with new emulsion white paint (optional).
• Repair any flaking paint or nail holes in the wall.
• Ensure that your wall is prepared with breathable paint as the wet glue will need to dry through the wall.
• A universal undercoat is more than enough.
• Do not use oil-based paints to prepare your wall.
• All walls and/or wooden surface needs to be PREPPED, PRIMED and PAINTED with an universal oil based primer and 2 coats of 100% fully washable paint.

Installing your wallpaper

• Make sure your wall is clean, smooth, and ideally of a light consistent colour.
• There mustn’t be any fixtures or fittings present.
• If you have just recently painted your wall, allow specified drying time before applying your wallpaper. Check the paint instructions.
• Make sure that you have help for the installation, two people working together makes a big difference! And it’s more fun to do it together.

Installation:

1. Remove everything from wall, bed, side tables etc
2. Plot it out, make sure the paper is sufficient. Mark roughly where each drop will go. Use a spirit level here.
3. Paste the wall, or paste the paper depending on the material supplied.
4. Using a nontoxic, water-based heavy-duty wallpaper glue, in flake form to be mixed with water. Pattex and Gemchem make a good product.
5. Align laser level (if you have one) at first Mark, starting from left to right.
6. Apply first drop along laser level line. Smooth out all bubbles. Cut away excess paper from skirting etc..
7. Repeat for next drop, overlapping join so pattern matches. Using a straight edge, do a cut-through join to make overlap a butt-join.
8. Continue the process till the wall is complete.
9. Wipe away excess glue on and around paper.
10. Do a final once over to make sure no bubbles, and joins are somewhat invisible.