How to

How to hang paste-the-wall wallpaper

Thanks to the stylish designs, inspired textures, bold patterns and downright whimsical prints available these days, wallpaper has made a major comeback. It can transform and lift a space with a different vibrancy than paint, as well as create major talking points in various areas of your home.

Another factor in the wallpaper renaissance is the rise of ‘paste-the-wall’ options. These are much easier and more straightforward to install than traditional pre-pasted papers, which require soaking to release the water-activated adhesive backing before hanging. With the modern varieties, you just have to apply paste to the wall, then hang the paper.

In this video, Resene Wallpaper Expert Ingel Janssen shows you exactly how to hang paste-the-wall wallpaper and recommends the equipment you’ll need to do it. Whether you start small with a powder room, or go large with a feature wall or even a whole room, follow these steps below to create a perfect papered finish.

Wonder wall

As with paint projects, a well-prepared surface will ensure a great end result. If you’re wallpapering a painted wall, give the surface a really good clean first with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner. Then fill any cracks or holes with a filler like Resene EzyFill Quick, wait for it to dry, then sand the patches down and wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.

Seal the deal

Whether the wall is painted or unpainted, it needs to be sealed with Resene Waterborne Sureseal pigmented sealer. On painted walls, this product aids adhesion of the wallpaper, and on unpainted walls it prevents the wallpaper paste from being absorbed into the plaster and creates a consistent surface for the wallpaper. Once it has cured, give it a sand with 80-grit sandpaper and wipe down with a clean, damp cloth.

Give painted surfaces a thorough clean with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner before you begin.

Applying wallpaper size is an important part of prepping a wall for wallpaper as it creates extra grip for the wallpaper paste.

Size matters

The next pre-paper step is to apply a coat of wallpaper size. Size is a substance that you put on the wall before applying wallpaper paste, and it creates a key to the surface, giving extra grip for the wallpaper paste and essentially making wallpaper super easy to work with and you’re able to line up patterns with ease. Mix it up in a large bucket outside and apply it to the wall using a large brush.

Run it straight

As Ingel puts it, “No one likes crooked wallpaper!” The secret weapon to getting straight wallpaper is to use a plumbline. This handy tool is simply a line with a weighted plumb attached to the end to determine the vertical on an upright surface. Mark out the measurements with a pencil.

Paste management

It’s time to paste the wall! Decant your wallpaper paste into a roller tray and apply it to the wall using a roller. Aim to get the amount on the wall about 2mm thick, which is the right amount for the wallpaper to stick to properly. You can check you’ve applied the right amount by making a ‘z’ pattern with your finger.

A plumbline is your secret weapon for getting dead straight wallpaper.

Decant your paste into a paint tray and use a roller to apply it 2mm thick to the wall.

Hang around

Place the wallpaper roll on the ground and, holding the end of the paper, unfurl it up towards the ceiling. Line up the wallpaper along your pencil marks and use your hands to manoeuvre it into place. Use a rubber press roller to smooth the wallpaper into position. Use your hand to feel for any bubbles and roll until they’re flat.

Use a straight edge tool and a sharp knife to trim the excess paper at the top and bottom of the wall – always cut away from yourself and press down to avoid cutting the wall. Repeat this process with the remaining sheets and then, once you’re all done, use a damp sponge to remove any stray paste.

Voila! You’ve just transformed your space with the power of paper!

Inspired design

Current wallpaper trends include botanic prints, florals, metallic finishes, graphic prints, oversized designs and murals. A great way to figure what will work best for your home is to head into your local Resene ColorShop and check out their wallpaper samples, or even book a colour consultation. Another great resource is habitat plus Wallpaper – read online or collect a copy from your local Resene ColorShop. This booklet provides advice on how to choose wallpaper, the different types available and tips on how to hang it.