Are you thinking about adding some personality to your home with wallpaper? Wallpaper can add a unique touch to any room, but it can be intimidating to hang it on your own. However, with the right tools and techniques, anyone can hang wallpaper like a pro. In this article, we will discuss how to measure and hang wallpaper, step by step.
Table of Contents
Measuring Your Walls
The first step to hanging wallpaper is measuring your walls. Measuring your walls will help you determine how much wallpaper you need. Start by measuring the height and width of each wall in the room. Once you have these measurements, multiply the height and width of each wall together to get the square footage of each wall. Add up the square footage of each wall to get the total square footage of the room. It is important to purchase extra wallpaper to account for any mistakes or miscalculations.
Preparing Your Walls
Before hanging wallpaper, you need to prepare your walls. Begin by cleaning your walls with warm water and soap to remove any dirt or debris. After cleaning, fill any holes or cracks in the walls with spackle and let it dry completely. Once the spackle is dry, sand the walls until they are smooth. Finally, apply a coat of primer to the walls to help the wallpaper adhere better.
Cutting Your Wallpaper
Once you have measured your walls and prepared them for wallpaper, it is time to cut your wallpaper. Start by measuring the height of your wall, adding an extra 4 inches to the measurement. This extra 4 inches will allow you to match the pattern of the wallpaper. Next, cut strips of wallpaper to the width of your wall, adding an extra 2 inches to the measurement. This extra 2 inches will allow you to trim the wallpaper to fit the wall perfectly.
Hanging Your Wallpaper
Now it is time to hang your wallpaper. Start by applying wallpaper paste to the back of the wallpaper strip using a wallpaper brush. Make sure to apply the paste evenly to the entire strip. Next, fold the wallpaper strip in half, paste side to paste side, and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the paste to activate. Then, starting from the top of the wall, apply the wallpaper to the wall, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles as you go.
Matching the Pattern
If your wallpaper has a pattern, it is important to match the pattern as you hang each strip. To do this, hold the next strip of wallpaper up to the wall, aligning the pattern with the previous strip. Cut the strip to fit the wall, making sure to add an extra 2 inches to the measurement.
Trimming the Edges
Once you have hung all of the wallpaper strips, it is time to trim the edges. Use a sharp utility knife to trim the excess wallpaper from the top and bottom of the wall. Be sure to trim the wallpaper carefully to avoid damaging the wallpaper or the wall.
Summary Table
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Measuring Your Walls | Measure the height and width of each wall in the room, multiply to get the square footage, and add up the square footage of each wall to get the total square footage of the room. |
| Preparing Your Walls | Clean your walls, fill any holes or cracks, sand the walls until they are smooth, and apply a coat of primer. |
| Cutting Your Wallpaper | Measure the height and width of your wall, add extra inches to the measurements, and cut strips of wallpaper. |
| Hanging Your Wallpaper | Apply wallpaper paste, fold the wallpaper strip in half, starting from the top of the wall, apply the wallpaper to the wall, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles as you go. |
| Matching the Pattern | Align the pattern of the next strip with the previous strip and cut the strip to fit the wall, making sure to add an extra 2 inches to the measurement. |
| Trimming the Edges | Use a sharp utility knife to trim the excess wallpaper from the top and bottom of the wall. |
Now that you know how to measure and hang wallpaper, you can add a unique touch to any room in your home. With the right tools and techniques, hanging wallpaper can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. So, get creative and have fun!