Wallpaper is making a huge comeback.

At Porter Decorators, we have extensive wallpapering experience.  We are dedicated to excellence in service and delivery of professional interior and exterior decorating.  Sometimes, however, homeowners like to give decorating a go.  Our blog posts offer DIY enthusiasts some expert insights to help you get a better quality finish.  In this article, we focus on some tips and techniques for Wallpapering in your home or business. Let us know if you found these tips useful.

Here are my Top 9 Tips when Hanging Wallpaper.

 

Tip 1 – Measure twice, cut once.

 

• When measuring anything, the logic ‘measure twice, cut once’ has always stood well to me
• The standard width of wallpaper is 52cm, but this is something you will need to check before using this calculation method.
• Measure the width of the room and divide by 52cm – this will give you the number of lengths you need.
• Next measure the height of the room, excluding skirting boards and allow a couple of inches waste on each end.
• Before you cut the lengths make sure that if there is a pattern on the paper, that the pattern matches (the repeat of the pattern will be written on the instructions on the wallpaper roll) 
• Multiply the height by the number of lengths and you will get the total number of metres of wallpaper needed.
• A standard roll of wallpaper is 10m x 52cm.

 

Tip 2 – Paste

 

• Always use recommended manufacturers paste – this will be written on the instructions on the wallpaper roll.
• Using an inferior paste could lead to the wallpaper falling off the wall over time.

 

Tip 3 – Order all rolls at once

 

• Once you have calculated the number of rolls required, always order an extra roll in case of any mistakes
• Make sure the batch number and pattern number on all wallpaper rolls match before you start – if they don’t match, the pattern and colour could be slightly different

Tip 4 – Surface Preparation

 

• Ensure the walls are clean, dry and even before you start wallpapering.
• Newly plastered walls – paint a primer on first to stop shrinkage.
• Old wallpaper – strip away first and fill any holes and sand smooth.
• Old walls – hang a lining paper first. This will hide any imperfections on the wall and makes it’s easier for the wallpaper to adhere to the surface. Lining paper is hung horizontally with a 2mm gap between each sheet.

Tip 5 – Plumb Bob

 

• House walls are rarely perfect right angles. As tempting as it is to line up the first strip of wallpaper with the corner of the wall, please don’t! 

 

• To ensure the wallpaper is straight, you will need to make a plumb line from which you measure the alignment of the paper. Use a plumb bob or a carpenter’s level.

 

 

Tip 6 – Wallpapering around switches and sockets.

 

• Turn off the power at the fuse-board, unscrew and loosen the light switch or socket from the wall.
• Hang the strip of wallpaper as you would from the top.
• When you reach the socket make four diagonal cuts in the paper from the centre of the power socket to each of the corners leaving a couple of mm gap so the paper can be pushed down behind the switch or socket.
• Cutaway the excess triangle of paper. Smooth the wallpaper down and ensure no paste has dripped behind the electrical connection.
• Re-attach the front cover of the switch or socket and switch back on the power when all papering finished

 

Tip 7 – Seams and Air Bubbles

• Double-check for bubbles and seam matches. 
• Bubbles need to be smoothed out as early as possible, and seams should be adjusted before the paste has set.

 

Tip 8 – Keeping Paper Clean

 

• Always have a papering sponge and a bucket of water at the ready to wash off any excess paste on ceilings and skirtings and the face/seams of the wallpaper.

 

Tip 9 – The Professionals

• If in doubt call in the professionals, at Porter Decorators, our team have over 25 years experience of hanging wallpaper.