How to Hang Wallpaper: A Beginner Walkthrough
A simple overview of hanging your first wall, whether peel-and-stick or pasted.
In this guide
Prep the wall
Clean, dry, smooth walls give the best result. Fill holes, sand bumps, and wipe down dust. For peel-and-stick, let fresh paint cure for several weeks first.
Plumb your first drop
Use a level or laser to mark a true vertical line. Walls are rarely square, so trust the level, not the corner.
Hang, smooth, trim
Work top to bottom, smoothing from the centre out to push air to the edges. Trim at the ceiling and baseboard with a sharp blade and a broad knife as a guide. Match the pattern at each new drop.
FAQs
Can a beginner hang wallpaper?
Yes, especially with peel-and-stick, which repositions while you work. Take it slow, keep a level handy, and start on a small or low-visibility wall.
How long should paint cure before peel-and-stick?
Give fresh paint several weeks to fully cure so the adhesive bonds well and removes cleanly later.