What You’ll Need:
- Unpasted wallpaper rolls
- Wallpaper adhesive (paste)
- Wallpaper brush or paintbrush
- Wallpaper smoothing tool (or a plastic spatula)
- Utility knife or wallpaper cutter
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Pencil or chalk line
- Sponge or damp cloth
- Plastic drop cloth or tarp (to protect floors)
- Ladder or step stool (if needed for high walls)
- Bucket or tray for paste
- Wallpaper seam roller (optional, for pressing seams)
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Prepare the Wall
- Clean the Surface: Start by ensuring that the wall is clean, smooth, and dry. Remove any dust, dirt, or grease. Use a mild soap solution and a damp cloth to wipe the surface. If there are any holes, dents, or cracks, patch them up with wall filler and sand the area smooth once dry.
- Remove Electrical Outlet Covers: Unscrew and remove any electrical outlet or light switch covers to avoid getting paste on them.
- Prime the Wall: If the wall is newly painted, or if it’s particularly porous, apply a wall primer. This helps the wallpaper adhesive bond more effectively. Let the primer dry fully before continuing.
2. Measure and Cut the Wallpaper
- Measure the Height: Measure the height of your wall from the top to the baseboard (or ceiling). Add an extra 2-4 inches to allow for trimming at the top and bottom.
- Cut the First Panel: Roll out your wallpaper on a flat surface. Using your measurements, cut the first piece to the desired length, adding the extra allowance for trimming.
- Match the Pattern: If your wallpaper has a repeat pattern, make sure to line up the design properly. Cut the next strips, making sure the patterns match at the seams as you go.
3. Apply Wallpaper Paste (Adhesive)
- Mix the Paste: If you’re using powder wallpaper paste, follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix it with water. Alternatively, you can use pre-mixed wallpaper paste (if recommended by the wallpaper manufacturer).
- Apply the Paste: Use a paintbrush or paste brush to evenly apply the wallpaper paste to the back of the first panel. Start at the top and work your way down, ensuring an even coat. Make sure the edges get enough paste, but don't overload it to avoid excess paste oozing out once the wallpaper is on the wall.
- Book the Paper: For some wallpaper types, it's recommended to "book" the wallpaper. This means folding the pasted wallpaper over itself (without creasing it) and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes. This allows the paste to activate, especially for thicker papers. Check the wallpaper’s instructions to see if booking is necessary.
4. Hang the First Panel
- Position the Panel: Begin by positioning the top edge of the wallpaper at the ceiling or top of the wall, depending on your preference. Use a level to ensure it’s straight, as even the slightest tilt can throw off the rest of your panels.
- Apply the Panel to the Wall: Gently press the wallpaper onto the wall, starting from the top and working your way down. Avoid pulling on the paper to avoid wrinkles or tears.
- Smooth the Wallpaper: Use a wallpaper smoothing tool or a plastic spatula to press the wallpaper flat, moving from the center outward to eliminate air bubbles and wrinkles.
- Wipe Away Excess Paste: Use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away any paste that squeezes out along the edges or seams. Be careful not to get the wallpaper too wet.
5. Trim the Edges
- Trim the Top and Bottom: Once the wallpaper is smooth and positioned, use a utility knife to trim the excess wallpaper at the top and bottom along the ceiling and baseboard.
- Ensure Clean Edges: Make sure to trim carefully to avoid jagged edges. A straight edge (like a ruler) can help guide your knife for a cleaner cut.
6. Hang Additional Panels
- Overlap the Next Panel: If your wallpaper has a pattern match, position the next strip directly next to the first, ensuring that the patterns align correctly. Overlap the edges slightly if necessary.
- Match Seams: Use a seam roller to press the seams together gently. This ensures the panels meet seamlessly and creates a more professional finish. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can damage the wallpaper or cause the paste to squeeze out.
- Smooth and Clean: Continue to smooth out air bubbles and wipe away excess paste as you go along, repeating the process for each additional panel.
7. Finishing Touches
- Clean the Wallpaper: Once all panels are up, give the wallpaper one final clean with a damp cloth to remove any remaining paste residue. Be gentle to avoid pulling at the seams or damaging the wallpaper surface.
- Replace Outlet Covers: Once the wallpaper has dried completely, carefully replace any outlet or switch covers you removed earlier.
8. Let It Dry
- Drying Time: Allow the wallpaper to dry completely before moving furniture back into place or making final adjustments. Drying times may vary depending on the type of wallpaper and adhesive used, but generally, it will take 24-48 hours for the wallpaper to fully set.
Tips for Success:
- Work in Sections: If your wall is wide or you’re working alone, it can help to cut the wallpaper into smaller, manageable sections and apply them one by one.
- Use a Plumb Line: If you don’t have a level, use a plumb line (a string with a weight) to ensure your first panel is straight.
- Be Patient: Applying unpasted wallpaper can be a bit of a time-consuming process, so take your time and ensure each panel is aligned properly.
- Don’t Rush the Paste Application: Evenly applying the paste is key to making sure the wallpaper sticks properly and doesn’t bubble up.
After Installation Care:
- Avoid Moisture: After installing unpasted wallpaper, try to avoid excessive moisture or humidity in the room until the wallpaper has fully set, as it can affect the adhesive before it has dried.
- Avoid Heavy Furniture Movement: Don't move heavy furniture against the walls until the wallpaper is completely dry and set in place.
With a bit of time and attention to detail, installing unpasted wallpaper can be a rewarding DIY project that transforms your living room into a beautiful and personalized space. Happy decorating!
You claimed:
Follow up question of "How to install non-pasted
wallpaper? A DIY guide"
Compare DIY with hiring professional for installing non-pasted wallpaper.
Installing non-pasted wallpaper can be a bit tricky, especially if you've never done it before. It requires patience, precision, and attention to detail. Deciding whether to tackle it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional depends on several factors, such as your experience, the complexity of the wallpaper, and your personal preferences. Let's break down the pros and cons of DIY installation versus hiring a professional to help you decide what's best for you.
DIY Installation
Pros:
- Cost Savings:
- Lower upfront cost: Hiring a professional can be pricey, especially when you add labor charges on top of the cost of the wallpaper itself. By doing it yourself, you save money on installation fees.
- Personal Satisfaction:
- Sense of accomplishment: Successfully completing the wallpaper installation yourself can be very rewarding. It allows you to take ownership of the entire process and enjoy the transformation of your space firsthand.
- Control over the Process:
- Pace and flexibility: With DIY installation, you control the speed and timing. You can take breaks as needed, especially if you’re working on a large wall or need to focus on aligning patterns perfectly.
- Customization: You can make changes or adjustments as you go, ensuring the design fits your vision perfectly.
- Learning Experience:
- Skill development: Even though it’s a bit challenging, installing wallpaper is a useful skill that you can apply to future decorating projects.
Cons:
- Time-Consuming:
- Longer installation time: DIY wallpapering can take a significant amount of time, especially if you’re a first-timer. You’ll have to take extra care with measuring, cutting, pasting, and aligning the wallpaper, which can be exhausting.
- Risk of Mistakes:
- Imperfections: If you’re not experienced, mistakes like mismatched patterns, bubbles, wrinkles, or crooked seams can occur. This can affect the aesthetic of the room, especially with detailed or intricate wallpaper designs.
- Messy application: Incorrect application of paste or improper handling of wallpaper can result in excess paste oozing out, creating messes that are hard to clean up.
- Physical Effort:
- Heavy lifting: Wallpapering often requires you to work overhead, use a ladder, and handle large rolls of wallpaper. It can be physically demanding, especially if you have a high ceiling or a large wall area to cover.
- Risk of Injury: Using a utility knife and ladder can be a bit risky, especially if you're not accustomed to DIY tasks.
- Quality of Finish:
- Professional appearance: Achieving a perfectly seamless, smooth finish may be difficult if you don’t have experience. While it’s possible to achieve great results with patience, a flawless, professional finish can be challenging for beginners.
Hiring a Professional
Pros:
- Expertise and Precision:
- Flawless results: Professional wallpaper installers have experience and know the best techniques to achieve a smooth, perfectly aligned finish. They are skilled in handling tricky patterns and making sure seams match up properly.
- Speed: A professional can typically complete the job much faster than a DIYer. They’re accustomed to working quickly and efficiently, so the installation process won’t drag out.
- No Stress:
- No hassle: Hiring a professional means you don’t have to deal with any of the challenges involved in wallpapering, like measuring, cutting, pasting, or worrying about mistakes. You can just sit back and let them take care of it.
- Less Physical Effort: You won’t need to climb ladders, deal with heavy wallpaper rolls, or engage in any physical labor. It's especially beneficial if you're not physically comfortable with such tasks.
- Guaranteed Results:
- Experienced handling: Professionals have all the right tools and techniques to ensure the wallpaper goes up correctly. If they make any mistakes, they can correct them immediately. Additionally, many professional installers offer guarantees on their work.
- Durability: An expert knows how to apply the wallpaper correctly so it will last for years without peeling, bubbling, or shifting.
- Saves Time:
- Fast Turnaround: Professionals often complete the job much faster than a DIYer can. If you're on a tight timeline or just want to get the room ready quickly, hiring an installer will be much quicker.
Cons:
- Higher Cost:
- Installation Fees: Hiring a professional means paying for their labor, which can increase the overall cost of your project. Installation fees can range from $1 to $3 per square foot (or more), depending on the complexity of the job and your location.
- Additional Costs: Some professionals charge extra for travel time, preparation, or special wallpaper types, which can add to the cost.
- Less Personal Involvement:
- No personal touch: While you’ll still be involved in selecting the wallpaper, you won’t have the satisfaction of actually doing the work. If you enjoy hands-on projects, this might feel like you’re missing out.
- Scheduling and Availability:
- Limited flexibility: You may need to schedule the installation around the professional’s availability, which may delay your project. Depending on the time of year, professionals may be booked up, especially in peak seasons for home improvement.
- Access to the area: You’ll need to make sure the space is accessible and free of furniture or obstacles before the professional arrives.
- Communication Issues:
- Misunderstanding your vision: It’s possible that the installer’s interpretation of the design might differ slightly from your vision, though this is often preventable with clear communication.
When to Choose DIY Installation:
- Budget-conscious: If you’re trying to save money, DIY wallpaper installation is a great option, as you only pay for the non-pasted wallpaper and the supplies.
- You enjoy DIY projects: If you love home improvement and are excited about taking on the challenge, DIY wallpapering can be a fun and rewarding project.
- Small area: If the wallpaper installation is for a small room or a feature wall, the task may not feel as overwhelming, and DIY could be more manageable.
- Flexible timeline: If you don’t mind taking your time with the project and are okay with working in stages, DIY could work well for you.
When to Hire a Professional:
- Complex Patterns: If you have wallpaper with intricate designs, large patterns, or murals that need to be matched perfectly, professionals will ensure the patterns align seamlessly.
- Large Area: If you’re wallpapering an entire room or large wall, professionals will be able to handle the size and work more efficiently.
- Time constraints: If you need the job done quickly or don't have the time to invest in the DIY process, hiring a professional can save you time and stress.
- Perfect finish desired: If you want a flawless, high-quality finish with no seams, bubbles, or wrinkles, professionals are the way to go.
- Physical limitations: If you’re not comfortable with ladders or working overhead, or if you're worried about making a mess, it might be worth investing in a professional installer to avoid potential frustration or injury.
Conclusion:
- Go DIY if you’re on a budget, love hands-on projects, and have the time and patience to learn the process. It’s an excellent choice if the wallpaper design is simple, you’re working on a small area, and you’re comfortable with the effort involved.
- Hire a professional if you’re after a flawless result, need the wallpaper installed quickly, or have complex designs or larger areas to cover. It’s especially worth considering if you want a stress-free experience and guaranteed results.
Both options have their merits, so weigh the pros and cons based on your priorities, skills, and the complexity of the job to determine which path is best for you.