I found this in my archives the other day, and wondered if anyone still papers walls. Much to my relief, I found a treasure trove of articles about it—how to choose the paper, how to cut it, and how to do it. I papered walls years ago and lived to write about it. Here is an article I wrote:
How to paper a wall—and love it:
Don’t be duped by the ads—there is no easy way to paper a wall and I soon found there are no reliable manuals or instructions either.
The entire process is insanely impossible to attempt if you are an amateur, and especially if you are the least bit clumsy or impatient. However, if you are still not dissuaded and decide to go ahead with it, I will pass on the benefit of my experience.
There are two types of wallpaper available: pre-pasted and plain. The latter is to be avoided at all costs. Never be taken in by a fast-talking store clerk, whose experience never progressed beyond the book-display stage, but who will woo you with gorgeous colors and patterns and neglect to tell you about the hazards of fast-drying wallpaper paste.
The next stage, after buying your estimated rolls (three single rolls per average wall) is to choose the right day. Have plenty of sleep the night before, don’t drink coffee for twenty-four hours prior to the operation, and cancel all plans if you have quarreled with your husband. Have all materials ready in the event that you should wake up one sunny morning and suddenly feel like papering.
You will need a papering trough. This is a waxed cardboard carton that can be bought for a nominal fee at your paint store. Water, a yardstick, a pencil, a step ladder and scissors will complete your papering kit. The instructions you receive with your rolls of paper (and which you would be wise to ignore) will mention a plumb line. This is a device consisting of a weight and a string which indicates whether your walls are straight or crooked.
I cannot see the advantage in running the pattern straight down while the windows are set at a 30 degree angle, and the furniture stands askew. This can only result in angle-phobia, so I discourage the use of a plumb line.
To prepare your wall for papering, you must rip off all old paper that is loose and may conceal bubbles. If your wall is painted, you must scrape off all flaky paint, and fill in cracks before beginning. If your walls are dirty, be thankful they will soon be covered.
You are now ready to begin.
Measure your wall, unroll the paper, cut 1 inch extra-long for each end, and place in trough. Wait one minute.
The paper should now be drawn slowly under the wire in the trough, held gingerly over your head, and allowed to hang down the side of your arm. If your arm is not long enough, you will have to let it drop over your leg and hop to the step ladder.
When you have climbed the ladder, hold the top of the paper to the upper edge of the wall, beginning at a corner. Gently pat out air bubbles and press into place. Next, draw your scissors, closed, along the angle between the ceiling and the wall, leaving a distinct imprint of a line on the paper. Pull the still wet paper down about a foot and cut along the line. Pat back into place and repeat the process for the bottom. This will give you a clean edge, impossible to achieve by any other method.
Windows and doorways should be similarly dealt with, as papering progresses. The creative amateur efficiency expert should not attempt shortcuts such as papering over doors and windows, with a view to cutting them out later. Cases can be cited of skeletons found in beautifully papered, if somewhat yellowed rooms, years afterwards.
When you have completed your room, stand back and admire it. All you need to do now is put away the ladder and trough. This simple clean-up operation, coupled with the instant transformation of a room is what turns amateur wall paperers into addicted papering lovers!
You are now qualified to become a connoisseur of wallpapering and are allowed to critique the paperhanging expertise of anyone you know who attempts to paper. Be prepared to be greeted with new respect, as a survivor, an artisan, a craftsperson. And yes, by all means, you can now rest on your laurels.
Nicely done. I papered my first house. Thereafter I waited until I could afford professionals 🙂
Exactly, Derrick. Live and learn. There’s some tongue-in-cheek in my post—I haven’t done this for many years, and don’t intend to ever try it again!
I did this a long, long time ago. Painting is easier, but paper has a certain appeal in a certain era of house.
I’ve done my share of painting AND papering, and yes, painting is easier. But I think the level of satisfaction once you have your wall (or walls) papered, is huge! It can be so lovely.
We just moved and I am looking at a wall I’d like to paper. Hummmm
I think Derrick (above) has the right idea! But do go ahead and paper it. Let us know how you do!
I was never that good at DIY but had to do it when we were first married. As soon as we could afford to pay someone to do it life became much better!
It’s always best (and easiest) to hire a professional to do the job. Of course, it’s still a risk, unless that person has good credentials and references. I can’t say I’ve always been successful, though. I’ve made my share of mistakes in judging who can do it really well. Sadly, I’m a perfectionist!
I have painted, I have removed wallpaper and have helped wallpaper a kitchen once so very long ago. I still love the charm of wallpaper however, those days of painting and doing house projects are done for me. I will just enjoy a wallpapered room when I see it! Thanks for the memories.
My sentiments exactly, Linda. My wallpapering days are over!
I’ve papered a wall or two, decades ago but with a DH who kept telling me it was all wrong – there was no prepasted paper in those days but an arrays of “glues” that were supposed to be the best. After that trip down one room, I thought “paint much better” and that’s what we did…
You were wise to ‘change horses’, and take an alternate route. Paint is much easier, and the results are more predictable. But I hope you told DH to do it himself if he didn’t like the job you were doing—just a thought!
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