How to Install Pasted Wallpaper

Measure the width of your wallpaper roll, and mark it on a yardstick for reference. Choose a paint color that matches the dominant or background color of the wallpaper print—I’m using Graphite Charcoal by Behr for this print.

Hold a pen on the mark with the edge of the yardstick in the corner of the wall. Pull the yardstick down the wall, drawing a line down as you go. This line is where the seams of your wallpaper will meet.

Repeat this process across the wall, this time holding the end of the yardstick on the previous line and marking sections the width of your wallpaper all the way across.

Paint a wide swatch across each line you marked, ensuring that the wall is fully covered and making the swatch wide enough to ensure the full wall behind the wallpaper seam will be covered.

Roll out the wallpaper on a clean, dry surface and pull out a measuring tape alongside it.

Measure to the height of your wall, plus six to eight inches extra; this will give you enough space to cover any unevenness in the walls.

Cut the wallpaper where you measured using a utility knife or scissors—be sure to protect the surface underneath to prevent scratching.

Pour the wallpaper glue into a clean paint tray. You’ll refill this as needed as you apply the glue.

The instructions for different wallpapers vary. Some of them require the wallpaper paste to be applied directly to the paper, and for others, you apply directly to the wall. This depends on the type of wallpaper (whether more vinyl- or paper-based) so read the instructions on your paper to find which method works best for your project.

For the paper I’m using, the glue needs to be applied directly to the wall. For this application, roll the glue on using a clean
⅜” nap paint roller, applying a thick coat.

Starting at the top, stick up the first wallpaper panel that you cut to size, leaving about one to two inches extra on the side and about three to five inches extra at the top.

Using your smoothing tool, begin smoothing out the wallpaper panel starting at the top in the middle, and pulling downward and outward toward the edges.

Be sure to press out any air bubbles or pockets of excess glue so that the panel is securely attached to the wall and smooth.

On the edges of the wall, press your smoothing tool into the corner and use it as a straight edge guide to cut off any excess wallpaper at the corner where the wall meets the wall/ceiling/baseboard.

Pro tip: Use a sharp blade in your utility knife for sharp and crisp lines, and change the blade often so the wallpaper doesn’t tear or pull.

The first panel is done! If you have time, let it sit for a little bit to give the glue some time to set up and get tacky. This makes installing the next panel easier, when both panels aren’t slippery.

Pro tip: Dry-fit the next wallpaper panel by lining up the pattern with the first panel and taping it to the wall with delicate painters tape before you cut to ensure the panel matches perfectly.

Cut the panel while it’s secured to the wall with painters tape for a perfect fit. Be sure to leave a couple inches of wiggle room at the bottom so that there is plenty of space for a custom cut after the paper is pasted to create a crisp line.

Once the next panel is cut to size, apply more glue to the wall (or to the panel, per the wallpaper instructions) using your paint roller.

Stick up the next panel, ensuring you line it up again so that pattern matches along the seam on the left.

Once the panel is in position, smooth it out with your smoothing tool, starting from the top and working downward and outward, as before.

Be sure to quickly wipe away any excess glue on the paper or between the seams using a damp towel. Letting the glue dry on the paper will affect the finish and look of your wallpaper

To work around tricky or odd-shaped items, cut the wallpaper so that the hole is slightly smaller than the object you’re working around—in this case a round pipe cover. Smooth the wallpaper up against the object, and cut a clean line around it for a finished look.

For things like switch and outlet plate covers, you can remove these prior to applying wallpaper to make it easy.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to also check out other trendy DIY tutorials and projects on The Home Depot DIY On-Trend Workshop page.