Advice

We’ve previously covered the basics when it comes to how to hang wallpaper successfully, including everything you need to get started and a step-by-step guide on how to hang wallpaper to change the look of a room. So, today at I Love Wallpaper we’re offering advice on how to tackle those tricky wallpaper application situations to help you achieve the perfect wallpapered wall. 

Sometimes wallpapering is not as straight-forward as we’d like it to be! It’s very likely that you will encounter obstacles when hanging wallpaper, so we’re addressing the best way to overcome the most common wallpaper issues in order for you to do the best job possible.

How to install wallpaper behind fixed radiators

Wallpapering a wall with a fixed radiator may appear to be a daunting task to those who haven’t done it before, but in reality, the answer to how to install wallpaper behind fixed radiators is simple. If possible, we would recommend removing the cool radiator from the wall completely to allow you to gain access behind and underneath it. If you cannot remove the radiator, make sure that you have a pencil, scissors and a radiator roller to hand. 

In cases where you can’t remove the radiator, then measure and make a note of the position of the brackets and measure from the top of the radiator up to the ceiling, and from the bottom to the skirting board. 

Next, paste the wallpaper and hang from the top of the wall as normal but only brushing downwards until the top of the radiator, allowing the rest of the paper to rest against the front. 

Use scissors to cut a vertical slit from the bottom of the paper to the placement of the radiator brackets, then drop the paper down the back of the radiator, either side of the wall brackets. 

Take the radiator roller and smooth down the wallpaper behind it before trimming the bottom edge to meet the skirting.

How to hang wallpaper in corners

Another obstacle you might face if you’re covering a whole room is how to hang wallpaper around corners, or inside corners. The approach to this will differ for thicker wallpapers, as the overlap will need to be larger. 

How to hang wallpaper on inside corners:

• Measure the last length of wallpaper that you will need and add an extra 1-2cm in width before cutting, and hang the wallpaper from the ceiling as you did with the other strips.

• Press the wallpaper into the corner using a brush or spatula, and press the overlap onto the next wall to form the overlap which can be covered by the next piece.

How to hang wallpaper on outer corners: 

• Measure your length of wallpaper, as usual, allowing an extra 1-2cm for the overlap.

• Cut and apply the paste the wallpaper, and meet the edges of the last piece on the wall.

• Wrap around the external corner, smoothing as you go to avoid air bubbles forming.

• Add your next piece of wallpaper to the other side of the wall to create a smooth edge. 

How to wallpaper around windows

Finally, let’s look at how to wallpaper around windows. Hanging wallpaper around windows will require more a more careful approach and will take a bit more time to get right. 

• Start at one side of the window and have scissors to hand in order to make cuts when necessary to allow for the windowsill. Apply the full-length wallpaper from the ceiling, allowing the correct amount of wallpaper to overlap in order to meet the window itself.

• Use a dry wallpaper brush or your finger, gently push the overlapping paper to form a right angle, so that there is an outline of the windowsill and wall. 

• Take the scissors and make a diagonal cut down to the corner, top and bottom of the window, where the windowsill and wall meet.

• Next, push the paper flap around the corner into the window reveal. Trim the excess wallpaper from around the window sill area and use the dry brush again to smooth the edge down. 

If you prefer a visual guide, there are many useful online tutorials on how to wallpaper around windows, light switches and plug sockets to guide you in your DIY wallpapering endeavours. We hope that we’ve helped to advise you on how to wallpaper around corners and other obstacles you may face when decorating – now all that is left to do is transform your home!  

You’ll find a range of helpful troubleshooting articles on the I Love Wallpaper blog, so choose your favourite wallpaper, application tools and get ready to bring life to your walls! 

No matter your personal interior design style, patterned wallpaper is a solid choice among many of us looking to spruce up our homes. It can provide the perfect focal point when used on a feature wall and add personality to a room. Installing pattern repeat wallpaper will take extra planning and precision than plain wallpaper, but don’t worry because I Love Wallpaper are on hand to provide top tips on how to install patterned wallpaper for a perfect finish!

Before you get going with wallpapering, check that you have everything you need to apply wallpaper effectively by checking our blog on how to hang wallpaper and visit our range of wallpaper tools to fill any gaps in your kit.

How to install patterned wallpaper

Did you know that there are several styles of wallpaper patterns, with some being more difficult to match up correctly than others? All types of patterned wallpaper will require careful attention to detail and patience, but some are more tricky than the others to get right!

The three main styles of patterned wallpaper include:

Random pattern match wallpaper – One of the easiest types of wallpaper to hang as you don’t need to worry about matching the pattern up. An example of random pattern match wallpaper is striped wallpaper.

Straight across match wallpaper – This type of wallpaper will start its pattern at the ceiling line, so the pattern will have to match the strips, resulting in slightly more planning when cutting.

Drop match wallpaper – As a more complex design, drop match wallpaper will need to be aligned accurately to show the pattern both horizontally and vertically. There is half-drop match wallpaper and multiple drop match wallpaper which may result in wastage as you try to repeat the pattern perfectly. An example of this style would be paisley wallpaper.

Our top tips on installing pattern repeat wallpaper:

• Make sure that all wall surfaces are smooth and primed as any bumps or debris can distort patterned wallpaper
• Allow additional paper when measuring and cutting the paper to allow for pattern matching (this may result in wasted paper, so it’s a good idea to purchase an extra roll, just in case)
• Use a plumb-line to create a line on the wall to ensure a straight application
• Have a complete motif or design print at the top of the panel of a bold wallpaper
• Mark the back of the panels with an arrow in pencil so you don’t accidentally hang the patterned wallpaper upside down
• Start installing bold pattern repeat wallpaper from the middle of the room if you’re wallpapering a complete room, i.e chimney breast
• If you’re a beginner to installing pattern repeat wallpaper, start with simpler patterns with random match wallpaper, or hire a specialist to hang more complex patterned wallpaper

How to hang mural wallpaper

Mural wallpaper is a brilliant choice for children’s bedrooms. Whether it’s a cityscape skyline or a tropical rainforest with an array of playful animals hanging from the trees, a mural wallpaper can really bring a plain wall to life. To make this easier, it is recommended that two people install mural wallpaper and that you lay out the mural panels before applying to the wall to make sure the order is correct. You can number the panels on the back for ease and make guidelines on the wall. It’s possible to buy peel and stick mural wallpaper, or mural wallpaper that requires paste – it’ll be down to your choice of design. Always follow instructions or an online tutorial to achieve the best results for your wall mural.

So if you’re looking to switch it up in your home next season and wondering how to install mural wallpaper or you plan on installing pattern repeat wallpaper, we hope that you find our tips helpful.

Here at I Love Wallpaper we offer a whole host of stunning patterned wallpaper to choose from, so browse our geometric, damask and city wallpaper, plus many more styles, online today!

If you’re planning to refresh your home this summer with a spot of redecoration, it can be a daunting task knowing where to begin. Whether you’re hoping to update your lounge, dining room or bedroom, wallpaper can help transform the room and give it an entirely different feel! Today at I Love Wallpaper we’re guiding you on how to hang wallpaper successfully so that you can treat your unloved walls to a brand new lease of life with your new favourite wallpaper.

Getting started

Before heading straight into it, it’s wise to prepare the space you’re planning to decorate and ensure that you have the right things you need to wallpaper your walls. Whether you’re aiming to create a feature wall on a chimney breast or hoping to wallpaper an entire room, you’ll need the same kit of wallpapering essentials to ensure a smooth application and brilliant end result.

In the list of items below, we have presumed that the wall is ready for papering with the previous wallpaper stripped and the wall primed and free from residual old paste.

What you’ll need to wallpaper a wall:

• Paper-hanging scissors with long blades
• Wallpaper or pasting table
• Plumb line (and chalk/pencil)
• Wallpaper adhesive (paste)
• Paste brush or roller
• Seam roller
• Wallpaper brush
• Combination smoother/cutter
• Ladders (if required)
• Wallpaper of your choice – calculate how many rolls you’ll need beforehand by measuring the wall/s, as there is nothing worse than running out of wallpaper!

How to hang wallpaper

To make sure that your wallpaper lengths are applied straight, take the plumb line and chalk/pencil and draw a vertical line down the wall. If you’re hanging patterned wallpaper, we suggest starting at the windows or at the chimney breast and working outwards around the room.

Step 1: The first step will be to measure the height of your wall and add roughly 10cm extra to allow for trimming before using wallpaper scissors with long blades to cut the first strip ready to paste. You can use this first strip to then measure the second strip, and if your wallpaper has a pattern, match the two strips side by side to ensure you’ll be able to line them up so the pattern is continuous.

Step 2: Follow the instructions and mix your chosen wallpaper adhesive in a bucket or roller tray, depending on whether you plan to use a pasting brush or a roller to apply the paste (in this case, we’ll presume you’re using a brush).

Step 3: You’ll want to lay the first strip of wallpaper face down onto the pasting table and using the wallpaper brush, apply the paste in upwards and outwards movements, covering the entire side of the paper.

Step 4: From one end of the strip, fold towards the centre of the length. This concertina style folding will help when it comes to placing onto the wall, dropping out the folds and aligning the wallpaper to meet the previously drawn chalk line on the wall for a straight fit.

Step 5: Once you’ve positioned the first strip of wallpaper, leaving edges at the top and bottom, use the smoother to meet the edges and smooth out any bubbles. Using the smooth brush bristles, tap along the edges where the paper meets the ceiling and skirting boards.

Step 6: Score a line using scissors along the edges before following the scored line to trim the excess paper and smoothing the wallpaper back into place.  

Repeat these steps until your wall or room is complete!

We hope that you’ve found our first guide on how to hang wallpaper useful. Next up, we’ll be discussing how to handle those pesky obstacles, such as how to install wallpaper behind fixed radiators and how to hang wallpaper around windows.

Browse the stylish ranges of wallpaper available online at I Love Wallpaper for on-trend interior design inspiration for your home, and for perfect application, get your kit ready to go with our collection of professional standard tools!