An accent wall is a great way to express your creativity and style. When a Miami homeowner decided to upgrade her space, she called on the Ask This Old House team for help with wallpaper. With the help of a local wallpaper expert, host Kevin O’Connor helps apply a grasscloth wallpaper wall that stands out.
How to Create a Wallpaper Accent Wall
- Start by removing all of the outlet, switch, and other wall plates from the wall.
- Apply a wallpaper-specific primer to the wall using a paint roller and an extension handle. Allow the primer to dry.
- Measure the width and height of the wall to determine how many strips of wallpaper you’ll need and where to start. If your wallpaper’s pattern repeats, start in a corner. If your wallpaper pattern doesn’t repeat, start in the middle of the wall to create a symmetrical look. Mark a plumb line at the starting point or use a laser level.
- Cut the wallpaper strips to length. Leave them long by at least 2 inches.
- Lay the wallpaper out on the floor or a long table, pattern side down. Apply the wallpaper adhesive to the back of the wallpaper using the paint roller and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- With the adhesive applied, fold the wallpaper on top of itself so the pattern is facing out, being careful not to get adhesive on the pattern.
- Carefully carry the wallpaper up the ladder and allow it to hang. Apply it to the wall, aligning the edge with the plumb line. Use the smoothing tool to work bubbles out from under the wallpaper, and then trim the wallpaper to fit the top and bottom, using the smoothing tool as a guide and cutting with the utility knife.
- Repeat on the next strip of wallpaper. Be careful to align the pattern. In some cases, it’s better to overlap the strips and cut one new seam. In other cases, simply aligning the patterns will work. Trim the strip to size and roller the seam with the seam roller.
- Repeat over the rest of the wall.
- Allow the adhesive to dry (minding the manufacturer’s suggestions about temperature and humidity) before reinstalling the cover plates.
Smooth It Right: When applying paper to the wall, first smooth the edges with a moist sponge, then brush lightly from the center of the strip to its edges. Next, gently pull — do not push — the smoother across the paper to eliminate wrinkles and anchor the paper to the wall. When trimming excess, hold a sharp razor knife almost parallel to the wall and guide the blade with a 6-inch putty knife for a clean cut.
Booking the Paper: After applying paste, gently fold over both ends of the strip so that they meet in the middle — a process known as “booking.” Make sure the paper’s edges are exactly aligned so that no pasted surface is exposed. Let the booked paper stand for 3 to 5 minutes before hanging to give the adhesive a chance to activate. This brief rest prevents the paper from fighting you on the wall.
Pro Tip: When working with a handwoven grasscloth or natural fiber wallpaper, wallpaper installer Warren on the This Old House Woburn project noted the importance of applying a sealer first: “It gives a good grip… it allows the paper to slide around, and in the future, it allows it to come off easier too.” This extra prep step is especially important on older walls where surface imperfections can affect adhesion.
Resources
To install a sisal grasscloth wallpaper be sure the wall surface is thoroughly cleaned. To prep the walls, apply a pre-wallcovering primer using roller brushes. A pole extension will be needed for high walls.
Apply the adhesive to the back of the wallpaper with roller paint brushes and let it sit for 2-5 minutes to allow the adhesive to absorb into the paper.
Use a plastic smoothing tool to remove any air bubbles or imperfections.
Install instructions may vary depending on wallpaper material.
Pro Tip: During the Woburn House project on This Old House, wallpaper installer Calla Jean stressed that there is no universal glue for wallpaper: “There are about three or four different glues and it’s essential that you read the directions, find out what kind of glue it calls” for. Always check your specific wallpaper’s instructions before selecting an adhesive.
