You look at your walls every day. They are literally everywhere in your home. Do you like the way they look? Do they complement the room? If your answer is no to either of those questions, it’s time to seize the day and do something about it. Let’s make some changes!
Let’s talk wallpaper. When most people think of wallpaper they usually think of the gross, peeling paper their grandma has in her powder room from 100 years ago. Thankfully, wallpaper has made a comeback, and it’s better than ever! It used to be extremely difficult and messy to install wallpaper, now you apply the adhesive straight to the wall and then place your wallpaper on top of it. There is also pre-pasted wallpaper as well as stick and peel wallpaper.
How to Install Wallpaper
Installing wallpaper can be a little tricky at first, but we know you can do it! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Wallpaper
- Measuring tape
- Wallpaper adhesive
- A damp sponge
- A paint roller
- Paint tin
- Plastic squeegee
- Sharp cutting blade ex: Snap off blade
- Laser level (optional)
NOTE: *If your wallpaper has a water-activated adhesive, you will not need adhesive, paint roller, or paint tin.
Traditional Wallpaper
Take off any plates or coverings on outlets or light switches. Turn off the power to the wall you’ll be working on.
Don’t cut your wallpaper to the length you need. You’ll want to cut it to the right length when it’s pasted on the wall. It’s better than cutting it beforehand and having it be too short!
Measure the length and height of your wall and the width of each sheet of wallpaper. If your wallpaper has a continuous design, you’ll want to ensure you line up each sheet. Once you know the width of each sheet, you’ll want to draw a straight line on the wall where the edges of the wallpaper will line up. If you have a laser level, you can use that instead of drawing straight lines.
Once your lines are drawn, fill your paint pan with the adhesive. Use your paint roller to apply the adhesive to the wall. Only paint on enough glue on the wall to do one sheet of wallpaper at a time so that your adhesive doesn’t dry out. Line up the wallpaper to the drawn line, press the wallpaper down, starting on one edge, then press towards the opposite side. Once it’s evenly pressed on the wall, use your squeegee to push out any air bubbles. There should be excess wallpaper on the top and bottom of your sheet. Use your blade to cut the exact length needed. Now, take your damp sponge and run it over the edges of the wallpaper. This helps ensure secure edges that won’t peel.
Repeat these steps until your wall is covered. You can put the electrical plates back on. And, you’re done!
How to Remove Wallpaper
If you’ve ever removed wallpaper, you know that there is literally nothing worse. But we have found a way to do it easily, quickly, and without putting holes in your wall. You’ll need a water bottle, a rigid putty knife, hot water, fabric softener, and a wallpaper scoring tool. You don’t have to use a wallpaper scoring tool, but it will help, and they are very cheap. First, run your scoring tool over the whole surface of the wall (don’t press too hard or you’ll puncture and damage your wall). Next, mix ¾ hot water with ¼ fabric softener. Spray a section of your wall with the water mixture. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then use your putty knife to pry up a corner of the wallpaper and begin peeling it off. After you’re done removing the wallpaper, there may still be a layer of adhesive stuck to the wall. Spray the adhesive, let it sit, then use your putty knife to scrape off the adhesive.
Pre-pasted Wallpaper
If your wallpaper has water-activated adhesive, you will not need adhesive, paint roller, or paint tin. Instead, you will need a spray bottle full of water.
Lie your wallpaper on the ground, the print facing down. Spray the back of the wallpaper with your spray bottle. It needs to be damp, but not dripping water. After you spray the whole piece, grab the outside edges, and fold them over until both edges meet in the middle. This ensures proper moisture across the whole piece of wallpaper. After the piece has sat for 2-3 minutes, you can now apply it to the wall. Follow the same steps as applying traditional wallpaper. It is best to apply wallpaper starting at the top corner of the wall and then work your way over and down.
To remove pre-pasted wallpaper, use a water bottle and spray the whole wall until the wallpaper is damp. Let the water sit for 2-3 minutes. Start at the top, pull up a corner, and start peeling down. After you’ve peeled off all your wallpaper, use a damp towel or sponge to wipe off any excess glue.
Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Peel and stick wallpaper is by far the easiest and quickest to install. Draw straight lines on the wall to start. Start at the top of the wall, unpeel about 6 inches of the wallpaper, and press it to the top of the wall. After you have lined everything up, continue unpeeling and sticking the wallpaper. Once you are done, cut the ends to fit the wall. Continue this process until you’re finished. You won’t need a damp sponge to lock your edges down, a plastic smoother will be the best option!
To remove peel and stick wallpaper, just pull up a corner and peel it off the wall.
What Type of Wallpaper is Best?
There are pros and cons to each kind of wallpaper. Installation and removal time, price, and durability all play a part in determining what wallpaper will work best for you.
Traditional wallpaper
Traditional wallpaper is by far the most time-consuming to install and remove. It will last the longest and the chances of it falling off your wall are close to zero. Traditional wallpaper also tends to look the best. All wallpaper prices range anywhere from .20 cents per square foot to $50.00 per square foot. It just depends on the brand and quality. There is not much of a price difference between different types of wallpaper.
Pre-pasted Wallpaper
Wallpaper with a water-activated adhesive has the best of both worlds. It’s easy to install and easy to remove. While it won’t last as long as traditional wallpaper, it will outlive peel and stick wallpaper any day.
Peel and Stick Wallpaper
This wallpaper is by far the easiest to install and remove. This type of wallpaper is perfect for apartments where you want to avoid damaging the walls. This type of wallpaper is not ideal if you have children or pets because it is not as durable. This type of wallpaper also has the habit of unsticking to walls and curling up.