You’ve seen a fantastically beautiful wallpaper and can’t wait to put it on your wall. But then panic sets in: how does that work? How should I wallpaper? There is a first time for everything and that is why we are happy to show you how to apply wallpaper. In the form of a clear step-by-step plan. This way you can be sure that nothing can go wrong.
How to wallpaper: step by step
- Turn off all electricity
It may surprise you, but the answer to the question how should I wallpaper does not start with getting the right tools. You do start by taking the necessary safety measures. Switch off the electrical groups of wall sockets and switches, remove the frames and cover them with wallpaper tape.
- Level the wall
Then you start leveling the wall. Remove any old wallpaper, remove nails from the wall and fill holes with all-purpose filler. Allow the filler to dry thoroughly and then sand the wall smooth. That will make applying the wallpaper a lot easier later on.
- Make the final preparations
Make the final preparations: cover the ground with newspapers, tarpaulin or an old sheet for example. Prepare a sturdy staircase so that you can reach every area. And make sure you have the right tools at home: such as a wallpaper presser, wallpaper snap-off knife, wallpaper glue, glue roller and wallpaper scissors.
- Apply a base coat
Are your walls plastered? Then apply a primer first. This prevents the wall from absorbing all the wallpaper glue, so that your wallpaper does not stick. Apply the primer according to the directions on the package, spread it evenly over the wall and let it dry overnight.
- Unpack and roll out
Time for the real work. The first step that now follows the question ‘how do I wallpaper?’ is opening the box. Remove the protective packaging, roll out the wallpaper and check that it is in the correct order. At Fotobehang.com you will always see the number at the bottom of the wallpaper, or on the back.
- Use a plumb line
How to apply wallpaper vertically? Using a plumb line. Take a long spirit level, place a line with lead on it. And draw a straight, but thin line on the wall. Measure from left to right the width of the wallpaper strip minus the 5 centimeter margin and draw the line there. This way you determine the position of your first lane and you know for sure that it is straight.
- Apply wallpaper glue
Apply wallpaper glue. With non-woven wallpaper, you do not do this on the wallpaper, but on the wall. Use a roller to apply the wallpaper glue to the part of the wall that will occupy your next wallpaper path. A little wider is allowed: this way you can be sure that you won’t get any loose edges. Are you working in the corners? Then use a glue brush for the necessary precision work.
- Place the first strip of wallpaper
So, there it is. Step 8, and finally you get the answer to the question: how do I wallpaper? Work from top to bottom. Leave a 5 cm overlap at the top (if you ordered wallpaper with this margin). Place the track to the right along the perpendicular you have drawn. And push the wallpaper against the wall with a wallpaper presser, or a pressure spatula.
You can press this extra in the corners, for a good fold line. You can cut the wallpaper here with wallpaper scissors, or even more convenient: cut it off with a very sharp knife. You can also easily cut off excess wallpaper at sockets by pressing the wallpaper firmly and cutting away the centerpiece.
- Place the remaining strips of wallpaper
The first wallpaper strip on the wall determines the rest of your photo wallpaper. Therefore, make sure that it is straight and perfectly measured. So that the rest of your custom-made photo wallpaper will sit exactly next to it, as intended. Working from left to right, place the second strip right against the first. Keep going with the third, fourth and so on until you get to the last one. Press this firmly into the corner and cut it off with a sharp knife.
- Finish wallpaper on the wall
How to apply wallpaper with a perfect result? By also ensuring the right finish. Take a wallpaper pressure roller and use it to push any air bubbles out from under the wallpaper. Roll to the side to allow the air to escape. Trim off any excess wallpaper at the edges of the wall, ceiling and skirting boards. And check that all edges and seams stick well: if not, add some extra glue with a wallpaper brush. If everything is in place, you can put the sockets and switches back and put the power on.
How do I wallpaper like a pro? Additional tips:
- 24 hours in advance, place the wallpaper in the room where you will be wallpapering. This way it can acclimatize well and you prevent shrinkage.
- Wallpaper preferably in a room with a temperature of between 18 and 25 degrees and a humidity of 40 to 65 percent. This is best for wallpaper to dry in it.
- Thoroughly clean the surface of the wall. This way you can be sure that the wallpaper glue adheres to the wall instead of any dust.
- Remove excess wallpaper glue with a cloth.
- Poke a large air bubble with a pin and rub it again with a wallpaper pressure roller. That way you wipe the air away, as it were.
- Stick all the strips onto the wall. Even if you work around a window or other obstacle. Do not try to cut the strip to size in one go, because this often goes wrong and cannot be corrected. It is better to cut off the excess wallpaper directly in the right place. Then it will almost certainly be fine.
How should I wallpaper? Let someone else do it!
After reading all these handy tips and tricks, are you still thinking: how should I wallpaper? Then realize that you don’t have to do anything at all. You can always enlist help from your environment, from people who already have a little more experience with wallpapering. Or you can call in an expert who takes the work completely off your hands.
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