Wallpapering the right way – Renew your walls with these expert tips!

Wallpapering is simple when you choose the right wallpaper and follow a few expert tips. These days, most manufacturers focus on paste the wall wallpapers (or non-woven wallpaper), which may be slightly more expensive but are unbeatable when it comes to ease of application. In this guide, we’ll explain the best wallpapering techniques, highlight key considerations for different wallpaper types, and provide practical advice to help you achieve a flawless finish.

Proper wallpapering starts with the right preparation

As with many things, preparation is key when it comes to wallpapering. Make sure the walls are as smooth and dry as possible so the wallpaper adheres well and uneven surfaces don’t show through later. Fill in any holes or cracks and sand down the walls if they are particularly rough or porous. Ideally, apply a wallpaper primer to ensure the wallpaper paste is absorbed evenly.

A well-prepared surface is essential for successful wallpapering. While you might be tempted to skip certain steps, an uneven wall can affect adhesion and impact the final look. Before you start, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does old wallpaper need to be removed first?
• Is the surface even and smooth?
• How absorbent is the wall? A primer ensures optimal adhesion.
• Is the surface clean and dry?

Key steps to consider before wallpapering

Preparatory measures like these should be carried out at least one day in advance—ideally a few days—so the surface has enough time to dry properly.

• Take off wallpaper that needs soaking before being removed,
• Filling holes and cracks with filler or levelling compound,
• Priming with wallpaper primer or deep primer.

Old non-woven wallpaper can generally be peeled off the wall in large sections. For old paper or textured wallpaper, it’s best to perforate it with a utility knife or a spiked roller and soak it with warm water or a wallpaper stripper. This will allow you to gradually remove the wallpaper with a scraper. Any cracks, holes, or uneven surfaces can easily be filled with filler. After the filler has dried, the wall should be sanded down for a smooth finish.

What about the absorbency of the surface?

The absorbency of the wall is crucial for proper wallpapering. If the surface is only mildly absorbent or cannot absorb moisture at all, there won’t be enough adhesion, and the wallpaper may not stick properly, potentially peeling off.

On the other hand, excessive absorbency can also cause issues. If the surface absorbs the paste too quickly, it creates high surface tension, which can lead to the seams of the wallpaper opening up.

TIP: To check if the wall has optimal absorbency, drip a small amount of water onto the surface. If the water is quickly absorbed (for example, on plasterboard), a wallpaper primer should be applied, as the wall is absorbing too much moisture. If the water beads up, it's best to use a lining paper (also known as renovation fleece). This indicates the wall is not very absorbent, and the paste may not adhere properly. Keep in mind that wallpaper primer typically needs at least 24 hours to fully dry.

Just before wallpapering: Almost ready to start!

Cover your furniture with plastic sheets and remove the covers from sockets and light switches. Turn off the power to prevent any risk of a short circuit from paste getting into the sockets. If you want to wallpaper properly, the room temperature should be between 18-23°C during application and drying to ensure optimal drying time. Keep the windows closed while wallpapering and avoid drafts to prevent bubbles from forming.

Wallpapering the right way with the right tools

To wallpaper properly, you will need the following tools:

• Wallpaper paste
• Bucket, tap water, and a stirring stick (a scale can be helpful to measure the correct amount of paste)
• Ladder
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Measuring tape
• Spirit level
• Brush or paste roller
• Wallpaper brush
• Seam roller
• Pressing spatula
• Wallpapering table
• Damp sponge for wiping off excess paste

Cutting: How to wallpaper correctly with and without a pattern match

When selecting your new wallpaper, it’s important to consider whether it’s a wallpaper with no pattern repeat, a straight match, or an offset match. The pattern repeat of a wallpaper—its recurring design—can influence how the wallpaper is applied. For instance, plain wallpaper or striped wallpaper typically don’t have a pattern repeat, so there’s no need to ensure that the strips align when cutting. Learn how to wallpaper with a patterned design here.

TIP: If you choose a wallpaper with an offset pattern, it's a good idea to buy an extra roll, as this type can often result in more waste. Find out how to calculate your wallpaper requirements here!

What to keep in mind when cutting wallpaper

Measure your walls carefully. When cutting the wallpaper strips, always add a few extra centimetres. You can trim the excess, known as the "overhang," later along the edge of the wall for a neat finish.

With pattern wallpapers, you’ll often encounter either an offset or straight match. With a few tricks, even elaborate jungle scenes or ornate damask wallpaper can be easily applied to the wall. For wallpapers with a straight match, you can simply use the first cut strip as a template for the subsequent ones, as the pattern will continue at the same height. Always ensure that the strips are cut at the exact same point on the pattern to avoid any unsightly shifts. Since there may be waste, it’s a good idea to buy at least one extra roll.

The modern paste the wall wallpaper "Anna D'Andrea "782191"" has a straight pattern match, meaning the pattern continues at the same height throughout.

Even wallpapers with an offset pattern can be quickly and easily applied with a few tricks. In this case, the wallpaper must be applied offset. This means you attach the first strip to the wall as usual, and the subsequent strips must be placed slightly higher or lower. It's helpful to cut out two patterns and use them as templates to alternate the placement of the strips.

Typically, the datasheet for your new patterned wallpaper with an offset match will indicate the pattern repeat. For example, if the repeat is 62/32 cm, the pattern repeats every 62 cm, and the next strip should be applied 32 cm offset. Since this method can result in some waste, make sure to account for extra wallpaper rolls.

The wallpaper Hot Spots "781994", a wallpaper featuring a cherry blossom on a petrol gold background, has an offset pattern match.

Paste the wall wallpaper or paper wallpaper: Which to choose?

Common types of wallpaper feature a backing made of either paper or non-woven material. This backing, known as the carrier material, is key when it comes to applying your new wallpaper. For paper wallpaper, the paste needs to be applied to the back of the wallpaper, while for non-woven wallpaper, the paste can be applied directly to the wall. A vinyl coating is usually not critical for the wallpapering process.

When selecting your new wall covering, always check the datasheet. Paper wallpapers are rarely made these days due to their more complex application, but they are still affordable. We recommend non-woven wallpaper for its ease of application and removal. It is also very durable, stable, and available in a wide range of designs.

The starting point

Whether you’re using paper or non-woven wallpaper, to wallpaper properly, you should first mark a guide line for placing the first strip on the wall using a pencil. Ideally, use a laser spirit level, but a regular spirit level or even a simple tape measure will also do. This step is crucial to ensure that all the following strips are aligned properly, even though walls are rarely perfectly straight.

A standard wallpaper roll is 53 cm wide. Subtract approximately 2 to 3 cm and draw a guide line of that width on the wall where you want to start. The guide line must be straight to ensure that all the subsequent strips will be aligned correctly. You can then place the first wallpaper strip along the guide line and trim any excess material neatly at the wall edge with a utility knife. If you don’t have a spirit level, you can use a tape measure to mark small reference points every few centimetres at the same height (around 50 cm).

How to wallpaper with non-woven wallpaper

With non-woven wallpaper, the advantage is that you can apply the paste directly to the wall. This saves you from soaking the wallpaper strips and setting up wallpaper tables. Use a brush or paste roller to evenly spread the paste on the wall. Try not to cover the entire wall at once to prevent the paste from drying too soon. Take the first wallpaper strip and align it with the wall and ceiling edges, allowing it to overlap slightly on the ceiling. Any excess material can be neatly trimmed later at the ceiling and floor edges.

Use a wallpaper brush to smooth the wallpaper onto the wall from top to bottom. Apply the following strips in the same way, ensuring you align the pattern correctly. Stick the non-woven wallpaper edge to edge (without overlapping). If any seams or air bubbles form, smooth them out using a seam and pressure roller. Trim any excess material at the wall edges with a sharp utility knife.

How to wallpaper with paper wallpaper

With paper wallpaper, unlike non-woven wallpaper, the back of the wallpaper needs to be coated with paste and left to soak for about five to twelve minutes. Make sure to spread the paste evenly across the strips with a brush, using roughly the same amount for each strip. The soaking time should also remain consistent. Once the strip is prepared, carefully fold it into a small package with the back-to-back and front-to-front, but be careful not to crease the wallpaper.

After the soaking time has passed, unfold the top part of the strip and apply it to the wall. Once the top part is securely attached, unfold the bottom part and smooth it onto the wall with a wallpaper brush from top to bottom. It's best to apply the strips edge-to-edge, ensuring the wallpaper doesn't overlap. You can also make small adjustments with a seam roller and a pressure roller, and trim any excess material at the wall edges with a sharp utility knife.

Seamless corners: How to wallpaper around corners

If you want to wallpaper around an inside corner, first measure the remaining width of the wall and cut a wallpaper strip with an additional 2 to 3 centimetres. Apply the strip so that it extends beyond the corner, then press the wallpaper into the corner using a long, narrow tool. On the other wall, continue wallpapering by overlapping, then switch back to edge-to-edge placement after the first strip.

For an outside corner, the process is quite similar. Here, it’s best to trim the overlapping wallpaper to avoid unevenness. Again, continue wallpapering by overlapping the next strip.

The wallpaper Hot Spots "782034", a brown wallpaper with a leaf pattern, was applied over the corner.

Conclusion

If you want to wallpaper correctly, start by calculating the right amount of wallpaper and preparing your walls. If old wallpaper needs to be removed, the surface should be filled or primed to create a smooth, absorbent base. Gather all the necessary tools and prepare the room for wallpapering. Pay attention to the pattern repeat (rapport) and the backing material of the wallpaper you have chosen.

We hope we’ve been able to assist you with your wallpapering project and look forward to welcoming you to BRICOFLOR, your expert for walls & floors!