How to Install Wallpaper
Measure, align, paste, hang, and trim wallpaper strips with seamless pattern matching, bubble-free adhesion, and razor-sharp perimeter cuts.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Utility knife with snap-off blades
- ✓ Plastic wallpaper smoother
- ✓ 4-foot level or laser level
- ✓ Tape measure
- ✓ Seam roller
- ✓ Paint roller and tray
- ✓ Metal straightedge
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Wallpaper rolls
- ✓ Wallpaper paste or adhesive
- ✓ Wallpaper primer (sizing)
- ✓ Clean damp sponge
- ✓ Microfiber rags
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Turn off power at the breaker panel before removing outlet/switch faceplates and working around exposed electrical boxes.
- • Maintain three points of contact on a secure, level stepladder when reaching top edges.
- • Safely discard snapped razor blades into a designated puncture-proof container immediately.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Prep Wall Surface and Mark Plumb Line
Remove all switch plates and outlet covers on the target wall. Prime clean, dry drywall with dedicated wallpaper primer. Measure out from the corner 1/2 inch less than the wallpaper roll width and draw a vertical plumb line using a level.
- • Smooth, clean wall with electrical covers removed and power verified off
- • A faint, perfectly vertical plumb line visible down the wall near the starting corner
- • Aligning the first strip to the corner of the room instead of a plumb line (corners are rarely straight)
- • Drawing heavy graphite lines that bleed through light-colored wallpaper
Measure and Cut Wallpaper Strips
Measure the wall height from baseboard to ceiling. Cut the first strip adding 4 inches (2 inches extra at top and bottom) for trimming. Unroll the second strip next to the first to find the pattern repeat point before making subsequent cuts.
- • Cut strips laid out with verified pattern alignment across seams
- • Each strip is 4 inches longer than the measured wall height
- • Cutting multiple strips to the exact wall height without matching the pattern repeat first
- • Cutting strips too short, leaving drywall exposed at ceiling or baseboard
Apply Paste and Book the Paper
Roll an even, generous coat of wallpaper paste onto the back of the strip from center outward, coating all edges thoroughly. Gently fold both pasted ends inward to meet in the middle without creasing the folds. Let the strip rest for 3 to 5 minutes to relax and expand.
- • Uniform sheen of paste across 100% of the paper backing with wet edges
- • Paper folded paste-to-paste loosely like an envelope without sharp creases
- • Missing the outer edges when rolling paste, causing seams to lift later
- • Sharp-creasing the folds, which leaves permanent visible horizontal lines
Hang and Smooth the First Strip
Unfold the top half of the booked strip and position it on the wall with 2 inches overlapping the ceiling. Align the long edge precisely against your drawn plumb line. Use the plastic smoother from the center outwards to push out air bubbles, then unfold and smooth the bottom half.
- • Strip edge aligns exactly with the vertical plumb line from ceiling to floor
- • Surface is completely flat with no trapped air pockets or wrinkles
- • Scraping the plastic smoother too hard, which can scratch or tear delicate paper
- • Smoothing down the edges before working trapped air out from the center
Hang Subsequent Strips and Match Seams
Unfold and place the next strip tightly against the edge of the previous piece, matching pattern graphics at eye level first. Slide the paper carefully so edges butt together flush without overlapping or gaping. Run a seam roller lightly along the joint to lock it down.
- • Butt seam is nearly invisible with zero overlap and zero drywall showing through
- • Pattern flows continuously across the vertical seam line
- • Overlapping seams, creating a raised ridge that catches light
- • Pressing too hard with the seam roller, which can emboss a track line or squeeze out all adhesive
Trim Excess and Wipe Clean
Press a metal straightedge firmly into the crease where the wall meets ceiling and baseboard. Guide a fresh, sharp utility blade along the straightedge to slice off the 2-inch overhangs. Immediately wipe down all seams and trim lines with a clean damp sponge to remove squeezed-out paste.
- • Crisp, straight cut lines flush against ceiling molding and baseboard
- • Matte, clean paper surface free of glossy dried paste residue
- • Using a dull blade that tears or bunches wet wallpaper instead of cleanly cutting
- • Leaving glue residue on the decorative face to dry into shiny, crusty patches
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by BYOT — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Laser level? 4-foot spirit level and light pencil line
- No Wallpaper smoother? 6-inch flexible plastic putty knife with smooth, burr-free edges
- No Seam roller? Clean, dry microfiber towel pressed firmly with fingertips