How to Hang and Paste Wallpaper yourself

Wallpaper projects vary by room, room size, and the condition of your walls. The following project demonstrates how to hang pre-pasted paper-backed vinyl wallpaper in a room that does not contain existing paper (so we won't be looking at the ins and outs of stripping old wallpaper). Let's assume the walls are in reasonably good condition, with perhaps some old nail holes to patch up. (Click here to learn how to repair damaged walls.)

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate. You may not need experience using power tools, but hanging wallpaper does require plenty of patience and an eye for detail. Uneven lines and seams can stick out like a sore thumb when the project is complete.

COST

Wallpapering a room is a lot more expensive than painting. Most papers cost about $30 per roll, but you can find some brands for as little $14 or as high as $100 or more per roll. Papering a fairly typical 12-square-foot bedroom with 8-foot ceilings would require about 12 roll. At $30 per roll, this works out to around $400. (Brewster's wallpaper estimate chart and wallpaper calculator are a couple free online tools you might find useful.)

Calculate with caution, though: there are both standard rolls and double size rolls, and lengths per roll vary from brand to brand and from one design to another. Make sure you know exactly how much paper you're getting per roll before settling on a brand or a specific design.

You must also factor in the cost of papering supplies. See below for a complete list of everything you'll need to do the job. Chances are you already own many items on the list, but you should probably allow about $50-$100 for additional purchases.

SHOPPING TIPS

Wallpaper newbie? Consider avoiding highly structured patterns like stripes or geometrics which are far more difficult to hang perfectly aligned. This goes double if your room is unusually-shaped or if you have an old home with uneven surfaces.

Also, definitely take home samples before committing to a design, just as you would with paint. However, bear in mind that wallpaper often has to be special-ordered, which might take a couple of weeks or more.

TIME INVESTMENT

Day 1: Four hours of surface preparation. Allow more time if you need to strip old wallpaper first.
Day 2: About eight hours for hanging the wallpaper. That's about twelve hours total for a 12-foot-square room.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

In addition to your chosen rolls of wallpaper, you will need the following:
For Surface Prep:
Bucket
Sponge
Mild detergent
Screwdriver
Plastic or canvas dropcloths
Tube of spackling paste
Putty knife
Wallpaper smoother
Wallpaper seam roller
Fine grit sandpaper
One-gallon bucket of primer*
Stirring stick, paint brush
Paint roller
Standard nap (3/8-inch) roller cover
Plenty of water for cleanup.

*Tip: Choosing primer: One gallon of primer will be adequate for this project, but for very small or large areas you should calculate your exact needs before starting out. Also, consider using a specialty pre-wallcovering primer, like Zinsser's Shieldz, for easier application and stripping.


For Papering:
Ladder or step stool, depending on height of walls; Large pair of sharp scissors (industrial shears or quality sewing scissors are ideal)
Pencil
Measuring tape
4-foot level
Water tray OR a tub of paste activator (see below)
Large sponge
Very sharp utility knife with lots of extra blades
Vinyl smoother
Seam roller
Vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive

*Tip: Your workstation can be any large surface that allows you to measure and cut lengths of wallpaper at a comfortable height. A large table is fine if you don't mind it suffering some surface damage. You can also improvise, balancing a sheet of plywood on a couple of sawhorses.
Wallpapering Obstacles: Corners, Windows, Doors, and Outlets

Corners:
1. Always end one strip and start a new one when you've reached a corner. This helps conceal seams and allows redrawing of the plumb line to keep everything perfectly straight. Simply guide the existing strip into position into and around the corner, then trim it with just one quarter inch of overlap left behind.

2. Now re-do the plumb line as close to the corner as possible and begin a new sheet. Use the seam smoothing roller on the area of overlap. First, you may need to apply a little vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive to the underside of the overlapping section. Refer to the wallpaper manufacturer's instructions to find out whether or not this is required.

Other obstacles:
As the work progresses, you're bound to encounter difficult spots like doorways, windows and outlet openings*. Don't attempt to measure and cut these openings in the paper prior to hanging. Instead, apply paper right up to and over obstacles.

1. Align and smooth the paper over the wall and right up to window and door frames. Carefully cut openings, allowing plenty of overlap, and then trim to size with scissors. Finally, use the putty knife to press the edges into perfect alignment and, finally, use the blade to trim to size.

2. Make sure the power is OFF before working with wet wallpaper near outlets and switches. Paper right over each one, then use your blade to slit an "x" over it. Peel the paper back very cautiously and snip off some of the excess with scissors. Now press and smooth what's left into place so that it surrounds the outlet or switch and trim with the blade. The edges don't have to be perfectly straight in this case, as the outlet or switch plate will cover any rough edges.

*Tip: Once you get in a work groove, you should be able to simultaneously prep and apply two or three sheets of paper at a time. However, stick to one sheet at a time for difficult spots such as corners and doorways. You don't want to rush these important spots and end up making a mess. Once again, it's all about taking your time.