Peel and Stick Wallpaper
This was a really fun project. I wanted to install wallpaper in my house but I also didn’t want to pay a lot of money for traditional wallpaper to be hung, nor did I want to live with pattern if I grew tired of it. Peel and Stick was the perfect solution. We do have ‘orange peal’ texture on all our walls so we had to add two coats of skim coat and paint to have a smooth surface to start with but it wasn’t too hard to do for just one wall. I’m still working on a couple of other things in the room but it’s starting to come together.
The wallpaper was from Tempaper & Co and the pattern I chose was Feather Flock Peel And Stick Wallpaper By Genevieve Gorder in the color Sahara Blush Scallops. You can purchase the wallpaper here. (This is an affiliate link and I do earn a small commission on the purchase.) I also ordered these hanging tools from Amazon and they worked great. I also have a video that shows my entire process here.
Materials You'll Need:
Peel and stick wallpaper rolls
Utility knife or razor blade
Measuring tape
Level
Squeegee or smoothing tool
Pencil
Step ladder (if needed)
Cleaning supplies (to clean the wall before applying)
Here are the basic steps to hang peel and stick wallpaper:
Preparation:
Start by cleaning the wall where you'll be applying the wallpaper. Remove any dust, dirt, or grease to ensure proper adhesion.
Measure the height and width of the wall to determine how much wallpaper you'll need. Add a few inches to the height for trimming.
Cutting the Wallpaper:
Roll out the peel and stick wallpaper on a clean and flat surface, design side down.
Use your measuring tape to measure and mark the dimensions needed for your wall. Use a pencil to lightly mark the dimensions on the back of the wallpaper.
Use a straight edge (like a ruler) and a utility knife or razor blade to cut along the marked lines. Take your time to ensure clean and accurate cuts.
Starting Application:
Peel a small portion of the backing paper from the top of your first wallpaper strip (usually a few inches).
Align the top edge of the wallpaper with the top of the wall, making sure it's level. You can use a level to help with this.
Press the exposed adhesive portion onto the wall, smoothing it down as you go. A squeegee or smoothing tool can help you get rid of any air bubbles and ensure a smooth application.
Applying the Rest of the Wallpaper:
Slowly peel away the backing paper as you continue to press the wallpaper onto the wall. Overlap the previous section by 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch. The wallpaper can shift and you don’t want to see bare wall between your wallpaper panels. Also, be careful not to stretch the wallpaper as you go. This will make things impossible to line up. Work your way down the wall, smoothing the wallpaper as you go.
Take your time to avoid wrinkles and bubbles. If you notice any, gently lift the wallpaper and reapply it.
Matching Patterns (If Applicable):
If your wallpaper has a pattern that needs to be matched, make sure you align the patterns correctly as you apply each strip. This might require some additional measuring and adjustments. The paper is pretty forgiving when I needed to pull it up and readjust.
Trimming Excess:
Once the wallpaper is applied, use a utility knife or razor blade to carefully trim the excess along the edges, such as at the ceiling, baseboards, and corners. A straight edge can help you achieve clean lines.
Finishing Touches:
After all the strips are applied and trimmed, look over the entire wallpapered area to see if any spot need additional smoothing.
I tried to line up the paper as best I could but it wasn’t perfect. That being said, I don’t notice it now that it’s completed. Just take your time and have fun. It's often recommended to have an extra set of hands to help with alignment and application, especially for larger areas but I handled this small wall easily on my own.