Wallpapering has a reputation for being tricky, but most of the difficulty comes from skipping preparation rather than the hanging itself. This guide walks through the full process, from measuring your first strip to dealing with corners and sockets, so your finished walls look genuinely professional.
How Do You Hang Wallpaper?
To hang wallpaper, prepare and prime the wall, draw a vertical plumb line to work from, paste or wet the paper and let it book for a few minutes, then hang each strip aligned to the line, smoothing out air bubbles and trimming the edges. Working methodically from a true vertical line is what keeps every strip straight, even on walls that are not perfectly square.
What You Will Need
- Wallpaper and matching paste, or pre-pasted paper
- A pasting brush or roller and tray
- A plumb line or spirit level
- A wallpaper smoothing brush or firm sponge
- A seam roller
- A sharp utility knife and a taping knife
- A tape measure and pencil
- A stepladder
How to Hang Wallpaper: Step by Step
1. Prepare the Wall
Fill any cracks or holes and sand smooth, then wipe the wall clean of dust. On fresh plaster, apply a diluted paste solution, known as sizing, and let it dry fully before hanging paper. This stops the wall absorbing too much moisture from the paste too quickly, which can cause the paper to shrink or lift.
2. Plan Your Starting Point
Begin on a flat, obstacle-free section of wall rather than in a corner, since most corners are not perfectly square. If the room has a focal point, such as a fireplace or a chimney breast, plan your layout so the pattern is centred there rather than starting from an arbitrary edge.
3. Draw a Plumb Line
Using a plumb line or spirit level, draw a true vertical line in pencil where your first strip will start. Every subsequent strip is aligned against this line or the edge of the previous strip, which keeps the whole wall straight even if the wall itself is not perfectly true.
4. Measure and Cut Your Strips
Measure the height of the wall along your marked line and add around 10cm, roughly 4 inches, to allow for trimming at the top and bottom and for matching a patterned repeat. Cut your first strip to this length using a straight edge and a sharp blade.
5. Paste and Book the Paper
For traditional wallpaper, apply paste evenly, then fold the pasted sides in toward the middle without creasing, a technique called booking, and let it sit for three to five minutes. This allows the paste to activate evenly. For pre-pasted paper, briefly soak the strip in a trough of water according to the manufacturer’s instructions instead.
6. Hang the First Strip
Position the top of the strip against the ceiling or cornice with a small overlap, aligning one edge to your plumb line. Smooth it onto the wall with a brush or damp sponge, working from the centre outward in gentle strokes, without stretching the paper, since stretched paper will shrink and gap at the seams as the adhesive dries.
7. Hang Subsequent Strips
Butt each new strip against the edge of the previous one, matching the pattern before smoothing it into place. Run a seam roller lightly along each joint, taking care not to press too hard, since excessive pressure can push adhesive out from underneath.
8. Trim the Edges
Using a sharp utility knife against a taping knife as a guide, trim the excess paper along the ceiling line, skirting board, and any door or window frames. Wipe away any excess paste with a clean, damp sponge as you go.
9. Deal With Corners
Since most corners are not perfectly square, avoid wrapping a full strip around one. Instead, cut the strip into two pieces, wrapping a small overlap, around 20mm, around the corner with the first piece, then hanging the second piece on a fresh plumb line so both edges of the room stay vertical.
10. Work Around Sockets and Switches
Turn off the power at the consumer unit, then hang the paper over the socket as normal. Cut a cross-shaped opening from corner to corner across the fitting, smooth the paper flat, and trim away the excess before refitting the socket cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the plumb line: relying on the corner or ceiling as your guide leads to strips drifting off vertical.
- Stretching the paper while smoothing: this causes shrinkage and visible gaps at the seams once dry.
- Rushing the booking time: unbooked or under-booked paste can cause bubbling and poor adhesion.
- Over-rolling the seams: pressing too hard with a seam roller can push adhesive out and leave a shiny line along the joint.
If you are planning a wider room refresh alongside wallpapering, our guide to painting a room like a professional covers matching techniques for the walls you are not papering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to prime a wall before wallpapering?
On fresh plaster, yes, applying a diluted paste solution first prevents the wall absorbing moisture from the paste too quickly. Previously painted or papered walls generally do not need this step, though they should be clean and sound.
How long should wallpaper paste sit before hanging?
For traditional pasted paper, booking it for three to five minutes lets the paste activate evenly before hanging. Pre-pasted paper is soaked briefly in water instead, following the manufacturer’s specific guidance.
Can one person hang wallpaper alone?
It is possible, though taller strips and awkward corners are often easier and more accurate with a second person helping to hold and align the paper as it is hung.
How do I wallpaper around a corner?
Cut the strip into two pieces rather than wrapping one full strip around, since most corners are not perfectly square. Hang each piece from its own fresh plumb line to keep both walls looking straight.
What causes gaps to appear at wallpaper seams?
Stretching the paper while smoothing it onto the wall is the most common cause, since stretched paper contracts slightly as the adhesive dries, pulling the seams apart.
Always turn off the power at the consumer unit before working around light switches or sockets, and follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen wallpaper and paste.
About the Author
Spire Homes Editorial Team researches and writes practical, UK focused home improvement guides covering renovation planning, financing, interior design, and property maintenance. Our content is reviewed for accuracy and updated as guidance changes.
