Corners are the most common point of hesitation for first-time wallpaper hangers — but with the right technique, they're entirely manageable. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is particularly forgiving at corners because it can be repositioned during installation. This guide covers how to handle both internal corners (where two walls meet inside a room) and external corners (where two walls meet on an outside edge), with step-by-step instructions for a clean, professional result.
Two Types of Corners
- Internal corners: The corners inside a room where two walls meet — the most common type. The wallpaper wraps from one wall onto the next.
- External corners: Corners on outside edges — such as a chimney breast or a protruding wall. These require a different technique as the wallpaper wraps around an exposed edge.
The Golden Rule for Corners
Never try to hang a full-width panel around a corner in one piece. Corners are rarely perfectly straight, and a full panel will buckle and crease. Always split the panel at the corner — wrap a few inches around the corner from the first wall, then start a new panel on the second wall, overlapping slightly.
How to Wallpaper an Internal Corner
Step 1: Measure to the Corner
Measure the distance from your last full panel to the corner. Add 1 inch (2.5cm) to this measurement — this is the width of the wrap piece you'll cut.
Step 2: Cut the Wrap Piece
Cut a strip of wallpaper to the width you measured in Step 1 (distance to corner + 1 inch). This strip will cover the remaining wall up to the corner and wrap 1 inch around onto the next wall.
Step 3: Apply the Wrap Piece
Apply the wrap piece to the wall, smoothing it carefully into the corner. Use your smoothing tool to press the wallpaper firmly into the corner crease. The 1-inch overlap will wrap onto the next wall.
Step 4: Mark a New Vertical Line on the Next Wall
This is the most important step for a professional result. Use a spirit level to mark a perfectly vertical line on the next wall, approximately 1 inch (2.5cm) from the corner. This accounts for the fact that corners are rarely perfectly straight.
Step 5: Start the Next Wall from Your Vertical Line
Begin the next wall with a full panel aligned to your new vertical line. This panel will overlap the 1-inch wrap from the previous wall by approximately 1 inch. The slight overlap will be invisible from a normal viewing distance.
Step 6: Smooth and Press
Smooth both layers firmly into the corner with your smoothing tool. Press all edges firmly.
How to Wallpaper an External Corner
Step 1: Measure to the Corner
Measure the distance from your last full panel to the external corner. Add 2 inches (5cm) — this is the width of the wrap piece.
Step 2: Cut and Apply the Wrap Piece
Apply the wrap piece to the wall, wrapping 2 inches around the external corner onto the next wall. Use your smoothing tool to press the wallpaper firmly around the corner edge.
Step 3: Mark a New Vertical Line
Mark a new vertical line on the next wall, 2 inches from the corner edge.
Step 4: Start the Next Wall
Begin the next wall with a full panel aligned to your vertical line, overlapping the wrap piece by approximately 2 inches.
Tips for Perfect Corners
- Always re-establish a vertical line after every corner: Corners are rarely perfectly straight. Re-establishing a vertical line after each corner prevents the wallpaper from gradually going off-plumb across the room.
- Use a sharp craft knife for corner trimming: A sharp knife gives a cleaner cut than scissors at corners.
- Press firmly into corners: Use your smoothing tool to press the wallpaper firmly into the corner crease — this prevents lifting at the edges.
- Small overlaps are invisible: A 1–2 inch overlap at a corner is completely invisible from a normal viewing distance. Don't worry about achieving a perfect zero-gap join at corners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hang a full panel around a corner without splitting it?
We don't recommend it. Corners are rarely perfectly straight, and a full panel will almost always buckle or crease. Splitting the panel at the corner and re-establishing a vertical line gives a far better result.
What if my corner is very out of plumb?
The more out of plumb a corner is, the more important it is to re-establish a vertical line on the next wall. A severely out-of-plumb corner may require a wider wrap to ensure the overlap is sufficient.
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