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How to Properly Install Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Wallpapered dining room

Updating the walls in your home will give you a cutting-edge and savvy method for reviving your space. Strip-and-peel wallpaper is a flexible wall covering that can be handily applied thanks to its self-cement backing. With this guide, you can track down bit-by-bit directions on how to apply strip and peel wallpaper, alongside a few convenient tips and deceives to make for a problem-free Do-It-Yourself.

Before applying strip and peel wallpaper, you should accumulate your devices and play out a little prep work to guarantee the peel-on wallpaper can peel appropriately. You can also try 70s peel-and-stick wallpaper for old classic walls.

Although the cement backing is intended to adhere to surfaces with next to no work, most strip-and-peel-wallpaper is more qualified for walls with smooth surfaces like silk and eggshell. Updating the walls in your home will give you a modern and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your space.

Peel-and-peel wallpaper is a versatile wall covering that can be easily applied thanks to its self-adhesive backing. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on peel-and-stick wallpaper and some handy tips and tricks to make for a DIY.

Before applying peel-and-peel wallpaper, you will need to gather your tools and perform a little prep work to ensure the peel-on wallpaper can adhere properly.

Tools:

  • Peel-and-peel wallpaper
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Screwdriver (to remove flat plates and outlet covers)
  • Cloth/sponge
  • Mild wall cleaner
  • Ladder (if necessary)
  • Utility knife
  • Straight edge/level
  • Plastic smoothing tool

Step 1: Calculate Wallpaper Amount

The first steps before applying peel-and-peel wallpaper are measuring your room and purchasing the correct amount of wallpaper needed. Use your tape measure to calculate the height and depth of the room to determine how many rolls you will need for your project.

  • Make sure to order a little extra to account for any mistakes or tricky areas and to ensure you can match patterns if necessary.

Step 2: Prepare the Surface

Use a mild cleaner and a sponge or cloth to clean the walls and remove any dust or dirt. Please wait at least 24 hours for them to dry before applying peel-and-peel wallpaper.

  • Next, turn off the power and use your screwdriver to remove faceplates and outlet covers.
  • Clear out any furniture that may get in the way.

 Wallpapered living room

Step 3: Mark Your Wall

The last step before you can learn how to apply peel-and-peel wallpaper is to mark the wall to which you plan to use it.

  • Measure the width of your peel-and-peel wallpaper and mark that exact measurement on your wall using a straight edge or a level.
  • Make sure to carry this vertical line to the ceiling and floor, as this will serve as a guide to help you install the wallpaper correctly.
  • It would help if you did not use your ceiling as a guide, as there is no guarantee it is positioned in a straight line.

Step 4: Cut & Begin Hanging the Wallpaper from the Top

To make your life a little easier, measure and cut strips of the peel-and-peel wallpaper to the height of the wall and add an inch or two for overhang.

  • Peel away around 12 inches of the backing and at the highest point of the wall, align the peel-on wallpaper with the marked line you made earlier.
  • Create a slight overhang at the ceiling to prevent any unevenness or gaps.
  • Press down and slowly peel away the backing as you flatten the wallpaper to remove any air bubbles as you move down. A plastic smoother will help make this process easier.
  • Be careful not to pull down on the self-adhesive wallpaper, as this may cause it to stretch and tear.
  • Continue down until you reach the baseboard or floor, and trim away any excess paper for an even finish.

Step 5: Match Any Patterns & Repeat

Once your first piece of peel-and-peel wallpaper is applied, you will have a reference point to move forward. Before you use the following parts, line up any patterns to ensure a seamless look.

  • Slightly overlap the second piece of wallpaper over the first by around 1/4 inch and run the smoothing tool along this seam to make it as flat as possible.
  • Trim and repeat.

Step 6: Cut & Trim Edges

When applying peel-and-peel wallpaper, will you likely encounter at least one window, doorway, and outlet? To tackle these locations, begin by overlapping the wallpaper over the edge.

  • Use your utility knife to cut along the edges, remove any excess self-adhesive wallpaper, and smooth it down on all sides.
  • If you are cutting the wallpaper around an outlet, ensure the electricity is off to prevent accidents.
  • It is OK if there are rough edges around an outlet hole, as the plate will cover any imperfections that may remain.

Step 7: Finish Up

Once you apply the wallpaper, you can return to any remaining air bubbles and use your utility knife to poke a small hole. This will release the air and allow you to smooth the peel-and-peel wallpaper thoroughly.

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