Not since the 70s has there been so much interest in bold, graphic wallpaper. Wallpaper looks richer than paint and gives a room more dimension, plus it can mask a wall that is in bad shape. Follow these step-by-step instructions for a perfectly papered room.
1) Measure the room, then type “wallpaper calculator” into your internet search engine and enter the dimensions to determine how many rolls you'll need. Remove the old paper; a wash of fabric softener and water will help loosen it. Fill in holes and cracks with compound and sand until smooth. Painted walls should be sanded too, the glue will adhere better and it will eradicate bumps.
2) Repaint any trim and ceilings prior to papering. Wallpapering can be messy, so cover furniture and rugs with dropcloths.
3) Using a level or plumb line, draw a vertical line from floor to ceiling as a guide to keep the paper straight. Repeat this step for every strip.
4) With a utility knife, cut lengths of paper that are about four inches longer than the wall, from ceiling to baseboard. With big repeating patterns, the strips might have to be longer to match the pattern on neighbouring strips.
5) Before you start papering, remember that when you apply the last piece the pattern won't match up perfectly. Therefore, you'll want to start out in an exposed area and end behind a curtain or door.
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