Wallpaper: Types & Tips

Have you given in to the wallpaper trend yet? It’s been making a comeback for quite some time now, so if you’ve been wanting to give it a try - consider this your cue. Wallpaper is the perfect way to transform your space, without the hassle of a huge renovation.

If you’ve done any sort of searching online for ways to give your space a fresh look, you’ve probably stumbled across many different wallpaper options. There’s a wide range of pricing; from budget friendly to not so budget friendly, and several different application options, so knowing which to choose can be confusing. While a lot of wallpaper vendors explain the application process, in my experience it can be quite daunting for a first timer.

In this post, I’ll share my personal experiences with wallpaper while breaking down the different application options so that you can feel confident in tackling it on your own!

Application Types

Peel and Stick

Peel and stick is the simplest and most affordable version.  Each panel is essentially a giant sticker with a sticky adhesive on the back covered with a thin sheet of plastic. The perk of this type is that you can *carefully* peel the wallpaper back off the wall fairly easily to realign if needed.  The adhesive is strong though so be cautious when doing so, as it can peel off the first layer of the drywall (not saying that’s happened to me or anything 🙃).

Peel and stick also allows you to take your time, which can make the process less stressful.  To get started, establish where you’ll begin placing the wallpaper, and peel back about 6-8 inches of the top plastic cover.  Holding the top of the panel with both hands, I like to line up the initial corner, push down and then follow along the top gently pushing and aligning until the opposite corner is secured. From there, I use my smoothing tool and work my way down the wall, following my vertical line, pulling 4-6 inches of the plastic cover down as I go.  This way, I can control the amount of adhesive that is exposed, preventing a situation where the wallpaper gets stuck to itself.  If you encounter bubbles, gently smooth them out with the smoothing tool.  It’s a lot of back and forth, so patience is key.  Once you get in a groove though, it should be smooth sailing!

Prepasted

Prepasted wallpaper comes with glue already applied to the paper, so you will just need water to activate the glue.  Once the glue has been activated, you have a pretty short window to get the wallpaper applied before it starts to dry.  Cue forehead sweat beads - time is ticking!  Using a sprayer, you will need to dampen the entire backside of the panel making sure to cover all of it.  Once the back of the wallpaper is wet, you can fold the panel in half (glue side facing inwards) to prevent the now sticky wallpaper from adhering to anything else while you get situated.  You will start in the same fashion as the peel and stick and work your way down, a little at a time, using the smoothing tool to smooth out bubbles.  A big perk of this application is that it is easier to smooth out bubbles as you work your way down, they should easily be worked out using your smoothing tool or hand.  It is slippery at this point though, so be extra cautious as you work your way down the panel, it can slide out of place a little easier than the peel and stick.  This option is also removable but the removal process is different.  Overall, prepasted wallpaper can feel more luxurious than your typical peel and stick, which for some people makes it well worth the extra effort. The greater the sweat, the greater the reward?!

Glue On

The non-removable type of wallpaper. The big leagues if you will. With this option, the glue and wallpaper come separate, meaning you’ll first apply glue to the walls, then carefully apply your wallpaper. The perk of this method is that there are a lot more design styles to choose from when you go this route.  However, with that said, this application in my opinion, is for the pros.  The glue can be messy and you have around 20 minutes to apply the paper before it dries, so if you are new to this, it will be extra stressful!  I would choose this option under two conditions - if I was certain I had selected a wallpaper design I would be happy with long term, and if I was feeling super comfortable with this application process after gaining some experience. 

Tips and Tricks

• When preparing the wallpaper roll for application, re-roll the paper starting from the bottom (where you’ll end on the wall) and with the design facing out.  This makes for an easier application process when working your way down.

• A floral, abstract, non-grid design pattern is a great option for a first timer.  It’s much more forgiving than a geometric or grid-like pattern, so if your panel alignment is a bit off, it won’t be as obvious!

• You can purchase a wallpaper specific smoothing tool or a plastic, putty scraper/spatula option found in the drywall or paint area at a hardware store. Just be cautious when using the tool when smoothing to not accidentally poke a hole in the wallpaper with the corner.

We’ve definitely had some fun moments and some stressful moments when applying wallpaper and murals here at Brightest.  While we do feel comfortable with the application process now, it took a few experiences to feel confident.  We have yet to apply wallpaper to the ceiling, but up for the challenge!

Tell us about your experience with wallpaper! Learn any additional tips and tricks?

Whether you’re preparing your home to sell and want to make an eye-catching listing photo or just looking to switch things up, let us know. We’d love to help bring your vision to life and partner with you in achieving your design goals.

Happy Wallpapering!

-Kate