How to Create a Statement Wall with Wallpaper

Choose one focal wall, properly prep the surface, and apply wallpaper using the paste-the-wall method for best results. Start from the center and work outward for professional-looking alignment.

1. Choose Your Visual Anchor. Pick the wall that draws the eye when you enter the room. This is typically the wall behind a bed, sofa, or dining table. Avoid walls with multiple windows, doors, or built-ins that would break up the pattern. The wall should be mostly uninterrupted to maximize visual impact.
2. Measure and Order Right. Measure your wall height and width. Most wallpaper rolls are 20.5 inches wide and 33 feet long, covering about 56 square feet. Divide your wall square footage by the coverage per roll, then add one extra roll for mistakes and future repairs. Account for pattern repeats by checking the wallpaper specifications.
3. Strip, Fill, Prime, Wait. Remove any existing wallpaper completely. Fill holes and cracks with spackling compound, then sand smooth once dry. Clean the wall with a damp cloth to remove dust and grease. Prime the wall with a high-quality primer designed for wallpaper application. Let the primer cure for 24 hours before proceeding.
4. Find Your Vertical Guide. Find the center of your wall and mark it with a pencil. Use a level to draw a plumb line from ceiling to floor at this center point. This vertical line will guide your first strip placement and ensure everything stays straight as you work outward in both directions.
5. Cut with Pattern in Mind. Measure and cut your wallpaper strips, adding 4 inches to the wall height for trimming allowances. If your wallpaper has a pattern, align the pattern at eye level where it will be most noticeable. Cut several strips at once, numbering them in order to maintain pattern continuity.
6. Paste and Book Correctly. For paste-the-wall wallpapers, apply adhesive directly to the wall using a paint roller, covering an area slightly wider than your wallpaper strip. For traditional wallpapers, apply paste to the back of the wallpaper strip, fold it loosely, and let it book for the time specified by the manufacturer.
7. Start Strong at Center. Position your first strip along the center plumb line, leaving 2 inches of excess at both top and bottom. Smooth the wallpaper from center outward using a wallpaper brush or smoothing tool, eliminating air bubbles as you go. Work systematically from top to bottom.
8. Build Outward with Pattern. Work outward from your center strip, alternating sides to maintain balance. Butt each new strip edge against the previous one without overlapping. Match patterns carefully at eye level, allowing any slight misalignment to fall at the ceiling or baseboard where it's less noticeable.
9. Cut Clean Edges Fast. Use a sharp utility knife to trim excess wallpaper at the ceiling and baseboard. Keep the blade pressed firmly against a broad knife or putty knife for a clean, straight cut. Change knife blades frequently to avoid tearing the wallpaper.
10. Seal Seams and Dry Slow. Immediately wipe away any adhesive that has squeezed out at the seams using a barely damp sponge. Roll the seams lightly with a seam roller after the adhesive has set for about 10 minutes. Allow the wallpaper to dry completely before hanging anything on the wall.