Hanging wallpaper for the first time can feel daunting — but with the right preparation and a clear step-by-step process, it's a genuinely achievable DIY project. This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know to hang peel-and-stick wallpaper successfully: preparation, tools, technique, and troubleshooting. Follow these steps and you'll have a beautifully wallpapered wall you'll be proud of.
What You'll Need
- Your wallpaper rolls
- A spirit level and pencil
- A sharp craft knife or scissors
- A wallpaper smoother or clean credit card
- A straight edge or ruler
- A step ladder
- A clean, dry cloth
Step 1: Prepare Your Walls
Wall preparation is the most important step — and the most commonly skipped. Peel-and-stick wallpaper adheres best to smooth, clean, dry walls.
- Clean the wall: Wipe the wall with a clean, damp cloth to remove dust, grease, and dirt. Allow to dry completely.
- Check for loose paint: Press firmly on the wall surface. If paint flakes or peels, it must be repaired before wallpapering.
- Wait after painting: If the wall has been recently painted, wait at least 4 weeks for the paint to fully cure before applying wallpaper.
- Fill any holes: Fill nail holes and cracks with filler, sand smooth, and allow to dry completely.
Step 2: Find Your Starting Point
Never assume your walls are perfectly vertical — they rarely are. Always create your own vertical reference line.
- Decide where you want to start — typically at one end of the wall or at a corner.
- Use a spirit level to draw a perfectly vertical pencil line from ceiling to floor at your starting point.
- This line is your guide for the first strip — every subsequent strip will align to the previous one.
Step 3: Cut Your First Strip
- Measure the height of your wall from ceiling to floor.
- Add 5cm (2 inches) to the top and bottom for trimming — so cut each strip approximately 10cm (4 inches) longer than your wall height.
- If your wallpaper has a pattern repeat, ensure the pattern starts at the correct point at the top of the wall. See our pattern repeat guide.
Step 4: Hang the First Strip
- Peel back approximately 30cm (12 inches) of the backing paper from the top of the strip.
- Align the edge of the strip with your vertical pencil line, leaving approximately 5cm overlap at the ceiling.
- Press the top section firmly onto the wall, smoothing from the centre outward to remove air bubbles.
- Gradually peel away more backing paper as you work down the wall, smoothing as you go.
- Use the wallpaper smoother to work out any bubbles or wrinkles — always smooth from the centre outward and from top to bottom.
Step 5: Trim the Edges
- Once the strip is fully applied, use a straight edge and sharp craft knife to trim the excess at the ceiling and skirting board.
- Score along the straight edge with a single, confident cut — multiple passes create ragged edges.
- Replace the craft knife blade regularly — a blunt blade tears rather than cuts cleanly.
Step 6: Hang Subsequent Strips
- Align the edge of the second strip exactly against the edge of the first — butt join, not overlap.
- If your wallpaper has a pattern, align the pattern before pressing the strip onto the wall.
- Smooth, trim, and repeat for each subsequent strip.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Air Bubbles
Small air bubbles often disappear within 24–48 hours as the adhesive settles. For persistent bubbles, carefully peel back the affected section and re-apply, smoothing more firmly.
Lifting Edges
If edges lift, press them back firmly. Ensure the wall surface is clean and dry. In humid rooms, ensure good ventilation.
Misaligned Pattern
If the pattern goes out of alignment, carefully peel back to the last correctly aligned point and re-hang. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is forgiving — it can be repositioned multiple times.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are usually caused by stretching the wallpaper during application. Peel back to the wrinkled section and re-apply without stretching.
Corners
Corners require special technique. At an internal corner: hang the strip up to the corner, fold the excess around the corner, then start a new strip on the adjacent wall with a fresh vertical line. At an external corner: wrap the strip around the corner by at least 2cm, then start a new strip on the adjacent wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to wallpaper a room?
A standard bedroom accent wall takes most beginners 2–3 hours including preparation. A full room takes a full day for a beginner, half a day for someone with experience.
Can I wallpaper over existing wallpaper?
We don't recommend it. Existing wallpaper creates an uneven surface that affects adhesion and can cause the new wallpaper to peel. Always remove existing wallpaper and prepare the bare wall surface.
Ready to Start?
Browse our full wallpaper collection and order samples before committing. See our How to Calculate How Much Wallpaper You Need guide to order the right quantity.