Tips for Hanging Your Bespoke Wallpaper

7 Mar 2024

You've chosen bespoke wallpaper to decorate your home with, have ordered with Captain Cyan and are ready to hang it on your walls.

You can follow the video on this page, as well as the step by step guide which is included with the wallpaper.

But for first-timers who have not attempted any DIY wallpaper hanging before, these top tips should help you turn into a pro!

Round-Up Measurements

A top tip to get in before you order the paper is to add a few extra centimetres when you measure the walls. This gives you a few extra rolls to work with, in the event of mistakes or a tricky section of the wall.

If you are doing your wallpaper for the first time, you will be glad to have a few extra metres for back-up!

Plan the Application

Plan out before you stick anything to the wall where the wallpaper is going. This helps with matching up the seams and means you are less likely to have it come too short.

Don’t rush the planning either, as getting ahead of yourself could also lead to mistakes.

Smooth Walls

To get your finished walls looking good, you should smooth the surface down before applying the wallpaper. You may not need to do it in newer houses, but you may find older walls have a few bumps or dints that can be smoothed over.

Simply sand them down lightly, and scrub the dust off using a wet sponge with water. Leave the walls to dry before you apply any wallpaper.

Book the Wallpaper

To book your wallpaper, lie it pattern side down, and fold both ends in towards the centre, without creasing the folds. Let the strip rest like this for five to ten minutes. This helps to stop the wallpaper expanding on the wall which can cause bubbles.

Make it Level

It is crucial to the overall appearance of the completed wallpapered room that it needs to be level. Get a spirit level, and use a measuring tape so you can ensure each sheet is level when it is applied.

Even a few millimetres off can be noticed, so best to be prepared.

Use a Wallpaper Sweep

When applying the wallpaper and smoothing it flush against the wall, use a sweep rather than a brush, as the straight edge will mean you can remove more of the bubbles and any creases.

Don’t Worry About Bubbles

Bubbles are always likely to occur when applying wallpaper, whether you are a novice or a pro, as the air gets trapped between the wall and paper.

The bubbles mostly disappear as the wallpaper settles and adhesive dries. If you still find bubbles, puncture with a drawing pin and flatten out the paper with the sweep.