How to Hang Wallpaper

By: Scott Gibson, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. PREMIXED STARCH-BASED ADHESIVE

2. VINYL-TO-VINYL ADHESIVES
for installing borders and securing corners when using vinyl wallpaper

3. SPRAY-ON RUBBER CEMENT
for applying wallpaper to switch and receptacle plates

4. STIR STICKS
for mixing paste

5. 3/4-INCH-NAP ROLLER COVERS
for spreading paste

6. SEA OR CELLULOSE SPONGES
for cleaning wallpaper after smoothing

7. TERRY-CLOTH RAG
for cleaning woodwork and ceiling after sponging

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Rectangular sponge,
  for initial smoothing of wallpaper
- 5-gallon paste bucket, nylon brush, and 3/4-inch-nap paint roller
- Allen wrenches,
  for removing towel bars in bathrooms prior to papering
- 2- and 4-foot levels,
  for drawing plumb lines on wall and guiding long cuts
- 10-inch torpedo level,
  for plumbing short pieces above and below windows
- Utility knives with snap-off blades, and single-sided razor blades,
  to cut and trim paper
- Scissors
- Folding rule and tape measure
- 6-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1½-inch putty knives,
  for guiding cuts along trim
- Screwdriver,
  for removing and replacing switch plates and receptacle covers
- Smoothers,
  for final smoothing of wallpaper
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Photo by David Carmack

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9

8. Hang headers and footers

To hang headers and footers—paper above and below windows and above doorways—measure, cut, and book each strip as you go.

To keep these shorter pieces plumb, align each strip's lead edge with a torpedo level.

Hang, smooth, and trim as many headers and footers as needed without going past the end of the window or door casing.

Then, hang a full-length strip of paper alongside the window or door by butting one edge of a dry, full-width scrap of paper against the last header or footer and marking where its opposite edge lands.

With a level, draw a plumb line on that mark from floor to ceiling.

Paste, book, and hang the full-length strip, adjusting it up or down as needed until the patterns match up.

When the patterns align, sponge and smooth each piece as in Step 3 and trim off any overlap.