Simple Peel & Stick Wall Installation
Step 1: Calculate Wallpaper Amount
The very first steps prior to applying peel-and-stick 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, tricky areas, and to ensure you can match patterns if necessary.
Step 2: Prepare the Surface
If dirty, use a mild cleaner and a sponge or cloth to wipe the walls clean, and remove any dust or dirt. Try to wait at least 24 hours for them to fully dry before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Next, turn off the power and use your screwdriver to remove any faceplates and outlet covers.
Clear out any furniture that may get in the way.
Tip!
If your walls have just been painted, wait at least three-five days before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper and do a test piece to make sure it separates from the paint. If it peels it up that means it needs more time!
Step 3: Mark Your Wall
The last step before you can apply peel-and-stick wallpaper, is to mark the wall you plan to apply it to. Measure the width of your peel-and-stick wallpaper and mark that same measurement on your wall using a straight edge or a level. Make sure to carry this vertical line all the way to the ceiling and floor as this will serve as a guide to help you install the wallpaper correctly.
You should 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-stick 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 stick-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 start to 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 even tear.
Continue all the way 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-stick wallpaper is applied, you will have a reference point to move forward from. Before you apply the next pieces though, make sure to 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-stick wallpaper, is it likely you will encounter at least one window, doorway, and/or outlet. To tackle these locations, begin by overlapping the wallpaper over the edge.
Use your utility knife to cut along the edges and 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 any accidents.
It is OK if there are some rough edges around an outlet hole as the plate will cover any imperfections that may remain.
Step 7: Finish Up
Once you are done applying the wallpaper, you can go back to any remaining air bubbles and use your utility knife to poke a small hole in them. This will release the air and allow you to fully smooth the peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Return any outlet covers or faceplates and switch the power back on.
Alternative Ways to Install Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
You don't have to start at the very ends when applying peel-and-stick wallpaper. It is also entirely possible to do so in a couple other ways.
Middle: You can begin this task from the middle of the wall and move outward. This is ideal for heavily patterned wallpaper as it will allow you to maintain the symmetry. If you start at the center of the wall, make sure to draw guidelines on both sides of the wallpaper to ensure you install it accurately.
Horizontal: For an interesting twist you can install your wallpaper horizontally. Follow the same basic steps of measuring and lining up, but you will require a second person to hold the other side of the strip as you stick it down to keep it from peeling off as you work.
Tips for Applying Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Here are a few additional tips to help you learn how to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Use a Dry Erase to mark where you need to cut the paper.
Save your scraps as you work just in case you need them to fill any tight spaces.
If you install your wallpaper in a damp location such as the bathroom, make sure to choose one that is moisture-resistant to prevent any water damage.
You don't have to use wallpaper along the entire wall. You can also apply it as a backsplash or along the borders and still achieve an updated look.
Learning how to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper is not complicated at all. Now you too can create a beautiful space with ease!
Step 1: Calculate Wallpaper Amount
The very first steps prior to applying peel-and-stick 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, tricky areas, and to ensure you can match patterns if necessary.
Step 2: Prepare the Surface
If dirty, use a mild cleaner and a sponge or cloth to wipe the walls clean, and remove any dust or dirt. Try to wait at least 24 hours for them to fully dry before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Next, turn off the power and use your screwdriver to remove any faceplates and outlet covers.
Clear out any furniture that may get in the way.
Tip!
If your walls have just been painted, wait at least three-five days before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper and do a test piece to make sure it separates from the paint. If it peels it up that means it needs more time!
Step 3: Mark Your Wall
The last step before you can apply peel-and-stick wallpaper, is to mark the wall you plan to apply it to. Measure the width of your peel-and-stick wallpaper and mark that same measurement on your wall using a straight edge or a level. Make sure to carry this vertical line all the way to the ceiling and floor as this will serve as a guide to help you install the wallpaper correctly.
You should 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-stick 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 stick-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 start to 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 even tear.
Continue all the way 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-stick wallpaper is applied, you will have a reference point to move forward from. Before you apply the next pieces though, make sure to 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-stick wallpaper, is it likely you will encounter at least one window, doorway, and/or outlet. To tackle these locations, begin by overlapping the wallpaper over the edge.
Use your utility knife to cut along the edges and 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 any accidents.
It is OK if there are some rough edges around an outlet hole as the plate will cover any imperfections that may remain.
Step 7: Finish Up
Once you are done applying the wallpaper, you can go back to any remaining air bubbles and use your utility knife to poke a small hole in them. This will release the air and allow you to fully smooth the peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Return any outlet covers or faceplates and switch the power back on.
Alternative Ways to Install Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
You don't have to start at the very ends when applying peel-and-stick wallpaper. It is also entirely possible to do so in a couple other ways.
Middle: You can begin this task from the middle of the wall and move outward. This is ideal for heavily patterned wallpaper as it will allow you to maintain the symmetry. If you start at the center of the wall, make sure to draw guidelines on both sides of the wallpaper to ensure you install it accurately.
Horizontal: For an interesting twist you can install your wallpaper horizontally. Follow the same basic steps of measuring and lining up, but you will require a second person to hold the other side of the strip as you stick it down to keep it from peeling off as you work.
Tips for Applying Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Here are a few additional tips to help you learn how to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper.
Use a Dry Erase to mark where you need to cut the paper.
Save your scraps as you work just in case you need them to fill any tight spaces.
If you install your wallpaper in a damp location such as the bathroom, make sure to choose one that is moisture-resistant to prevent any water damage.
You don't have to use wallpaper along the entire wall. You can also apply it as a backsplash or along the borders and still achieve an updated look.
Learning how to apply peel-and-stick wallpaper is not complicated at all. Now you too can create a beautiful space with ease!
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