For many people, hanging wallpaper is one of the most daunting home improvement tasks. There’s so much to consider: how thick should the paper be? Which way should it go on the wall? What if your wall is textured or bumpy? The list goes on and on. Luckily, I’m here to help! In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the most common mistakes that people make when installing wallpaper and explain how to avoid them.
Cutting the wallpaper larger than the wall
Cutting the wallpaper larger than the wall is a common mistake and one that can be easily avoided. If you cut it too small, you’ll have to start over because the paper won’t cover your entire wall. But if you cut it too big, then you’ll waste precious paper that could have been used on another project (or stuck to another wall). We recommend using a sharp blade and using two hands to hold down both ends of the tape measure—one hand holding down one end and one hand holding down the other end—so there’s no room for error when measuring your cuts!
Forgetting about a slight texture on your wall
When you’re creating your wall mural, it’s important to consider the texture of your surface. The wallpaper will show through and look unsightly if it’s not perfectly smooth. It can also make gluing the pieces together much more difficult if there are any bumps or ridges in the wall.
To avoid this problem, use a primer or filler to remove any bumps on your surface before applying wallpaper glue. This will ensure that everything goes smoothly and won’t leave any bubbles behind when you hang up your new design!
Skipping the primer
When installing wallpaper, the first thing to do is prime the wall. Drywall primer sealer will help the paper stick to smooth surfaces and prevent stains from bleeding. It’s also important that you don’t skip this step; if you do, it could take longer for your wallpaper to stick properly, and your paint job may end up looking sloppy as a result.
Not figuring out which direction to hang the wallpaper
When it comes to hanging wallpaper, there are a couple of rules to keep in mind. The first is that the pattern will always face up. If you hang wallpaper vertically, this can make for an interesting effect but also look awkward.
Secondly, if you’re hanging wallpaper horizontally, it should be hung with its pattern facing left or right instead of up or down. This will help ensure that your room has a balanced look and feel overall once your project is complete!
Choosing a wallpaper that’s too thin or too thick
The thickness of your wallpaper will depend on the space where it will be hung. You’ll need a thick roll if you have a large wall and want to cover it with a single piece of paper. If you’re dealing with smaller spaces and can’t find an affordable, wide-enough option in your local store, consider buying two different widths and stretching them side-by-side instead.
Thin rolls are also more likely to tear while being hung (especially if they’ve been folded).
Using expired or old glue
One of the best ways to avoid a glue-related mistake is to use fresh glue. Glue is a natural product, and it’s important to remember that it can go bad over time. Make sure you are using fresh glue! If you aren’t sure, test the glue on a small area before applying it to your wall; if the glue dries in an hour or less, then it is still good.
Hanging the paper while it’s wet
Hanging wallpaper when it’s wet or even damp is a common mistake that’s often made by DIYers. It might seem good to hang your paper while it’s still wet. After all, it will dry in place, and you won’t have any trouble with wrinkles, bubbles, or peeling. But there are several reasons why this isn’t always the best option:
- Paper will wrinkle more easily when it dries on the wall because of the way that gravity pulls down on the edges of each piece as they dry against each other (also known as “paper curl”). This can lead to an uneven surface after drying.
- Any glue residue left behind will cause bubbles between sheets, which may not show up until days later!
Conclusion
So there you have it! As you can see from the list above, there are a lot of things that could go wrong when hanging wallpaper. But if you follow these tips and tricks, your job will be much easier—and so will the process for everyone else who comes after you.
