For a totally tip top result, engagement of a professional decorator is recommended. For go-it-aloners our hanging instructions lead the way. We are only ever an email away if you need further advice: info@kristjanawilliams.com

 

Before you begin

Check the batch numbers on the wallpaper rolls match. In the unlikely event that they don’t, please get in touch. Our wallpapers are printed to order so slight variations may occur between batches and we therefore recommend ordering all of the wallpaper you will need in one go. Need help deciding how much that is? Email info@kristjanawilliams.com 

Confirm you have the right number of rolls needed to complete the installation. If you haven’t received as many rolls as you were expecting please get in touch before going any further. We provide a quantity calculation service and so this should only be an issue if the space you are wallpapering has altered.

The Necessities

Always: A pair of wallpaper cutting scissors or a wallpaper cutting tool / A plumb line or spirit level with vertical alignment / A sharp pencil / A tape measure or ruler /  Wallpaper paste / Large bucket and wooden spoon for mixing / A roller or brush for applying the paste / 

A sponge, soft brush or cloth/ A Snap Off Knife (wallpaper cutting tool) /  An edging roller for smoothing down the paper once positioned.

Sometimes: A wallpapering table or equivalent large flat surface / A wallpaper stripper / Treatments to prepare the surface prior to commencing / A wallpaper smoother.

Let’s Get Ready 

1. Remove all existing wall coverings prior to installation. A wallpaper stripper may be required.
2. Surfaces need to be clean and dry. If the walls are old or damaged it may be advisable to hang a good quality lining paper.
3. Attend to any mould with a suitable mould treatment - paper will not adhere for any length of time to a damp surface.
4. New plaster or other absorbent surfaces should be primed with a wall sealer.
5. Hanging paper on a glossy surface is not advised but if unavoidable sand the surface so paper will adhere to it.
6. If you have any fixings on the wall unscrew them before papering leaving the wall plugs in place. You can put a matchstick (without the head) or a toothpick pushed into the hole to help you find it again once the paper has been hung.

KSW tip - measuring the width of your wallpaper and painting a 5cm vertical strip in a similar base colour to where you anticipate the joins will help to disguise the join line. 

And Go!

1. For murals* roll out the design before starting. Measure the height of the space being papered and if it is shorter than the height of the mural, choose which section you want to keep, trimming the equivalent excess off the top and/or bottom of each piece. 
2. For continuous wallpapers** you do not need to roll out the design first. Measure the height of the space you are papering, add 10cm to the height and then cut your first piece to this length from the top of the roll.
3. Next measure the width of your wallpaper, take off 3 cm and measure this width from the starting edge of your space, making a clear mark on the wall. Then using a plum line or a spirit level draw a vertical line through this mark. This gives you a straight edge for aligning your first piece of paper and the remaining 3cm will allow you to avoid imperfect corner junctions (if the corner is not straight). This is a very important step because your first piece must be hung straight in order for the rest of the design to hang correctly. 
4. Using a roller, apply a generous and even layer of paste to the wall, slightly beyond where the wallpaper will hang. 

KSW tip - using the wallpapering table to roll out the wallpaper reverse side up and applying a thin layer of paste will allow for more adjustment when hanging.

1. Checking the paper is the right way up and hanging from the top, allow the wallpaper to drop into position then adjust by sliding and aligning the edge of the wallpaper with the vertical line. Once in position smooth down with a soft brush, clean sponge or cloth. Remove air bubbles by smoothing them out from top to bottom, centre to the edge. Set the edges of your wallpaper using the edging roller.
2. Trim top and bottom edges using a pencil to mark the line then cut with sharp scissors or a snap off knife.
3. To avoid paste on the face of the wallpaper, gently wipe surplus paste immediately with a damp cloth.
4. Repeat with additional lengths matching the pattern and cutting as necessary.
5. To wallpaper around switches or sockets, cover these with the piece of wallpaper and use the snap off knife to cut around them.
6. To wallpaper around doors and windows, cover the openings with the piece of wallpaper, mark the angle with your fingers and use the scissors to cut the excess papers. Leave some extra centimetres of the window or door case.
7. If you’re wallpapering a bathroom, we suggest applying two coats of Decorators Varnish over the top which will help protect against moisture, finger marks, stains and scuffing.