Terms of UseHow to Hang Prepasted Wallpaper Explore this Article parts 1 Choosing Wallpaper 2 Prepping the Walls and Supplies 3 Wetting Prepasted Wallpaper 4 Hanging Prepasted Wallpaper + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle
Last Updated: September 13, 2025 References
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This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 34,109 times.
Wallpaper adds color and texture to a room. Thankfully, most wallpaper is sold pre-pasted so that you don’t have to deal with wallpaper adhesive. Hanging wallpaper is a weekend project that requires a lot of attention to detail. You can rent many of the supplies from a wall-covering store or buy them at a hardware or home improvement store.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 4:
Choosing Wallpaper
1 Buy a plumb bob and hang it from the ceiling. Mark the vertical line in several areas on the wall. If your walls or windows appear crooked compared to these lines, consider a random wallpaper pattern so the edges and corners aren’t noticeable.[1]XResearch source
2 Ensure there is enough room to view your pattern. Generally, large prints don’t work in small rooms because they make them feel smaller. Advertisement
3 Choose small prints and light colors to make your room feel larger. Small prints exaggerate the size of the room, while light colors reflect light, adding to the spacious feeling.[2]XResearch source
4 Opt for wallpapering just one wall with any pattern to make a statement wall. It is best to use a wall without windows and other fixtures in this case.
5 Purchase wallpaper from a wallpaper company or wall covering company if possible. This will allow you to inquire about the best methods and tips for using it. You will be able to call the store if you have any questions throughout the process.[3]XResearch source
6 Save the run and dye lot numbers that are written on the back of your wallpaper. If you need to order more, they may be able to match the color to the exact printing that you used previously.
7 Read the instructions that come with your wallpaper very closely. Each paper is slightly different. When in doubt, use the specific directions rather than general directions for wallpapering. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 4:
Prepping the Walls and Supplies
1 Purchase or rent a complete set of supplies according to the list of things below.
2 Ask if you can rent a basswood table from the wall covering shop. To make your own, rest a three by six-foot (0.9m by 1.5m) piece of three-fourths inch (1.9cm) plywood on top of two sawhorses. Sand the corners of the plywood to avoid tearing.[4]XResearch source
Basswood and plywood are like a self-healing mat, allowing you to cut into the surface of the paper with a utility knife without ruining the paper.
3 Ask someone to help you hang wallpaper for the best results. Large pieces can be slightly unwieldy.
4 Mark the plumb line before you hang sections of wallpaper. You should make a mark every six inches (15cm) or so, to ensure you hang a sheet to be completely level. Don’t trust ceilings, floors, trim or windows, since many of them are hung without being perfectly level.[5]XResearch source
You will want to start hanging your wallpaper in the least conspicuous area of the room.
5 Remove all furniture from the room, or as much furniture as you can. Cover the floor in drop cloths. The water and paste can drip off the table and onto floors.
6 Prepare your walls in advance. You will need to apply patching compound and sand it if there are holes.[6]X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview Wash the wall with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a TSP substitute.[7]XResearch source
While you're at it, wipe down the wall and make sure that there isn't any dust.[8]X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview
7 Improve the application of your wallpaper by applying a layer of acrylic undercoat, called sizing, to the wall and letting it dry overnight.[9]XResearch source
You can also prep and seal your walls by applying a coat of primer.[10]X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview
For exceptionally uneven walls, you may want to apply special “liner paper” over them before pasting wallpaper.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 4:
Wetting Prepasted Wallpaper
1 Take a vertical strip of wallpaper. Cut it to the length of your wall, adding four inches (10cm) of extra space, or two for the top and two for the bottom.
2 Roll the piece from bottom to top, inside out. This means the prepasted side, usually white side, should be toward the outside.[11]XResearch source
3 Fill your water tray with room temperature water. Place it at the bottom end of your worktable.
4 Submerge the roll of wallpaper in the water tray. Soak it for about 30 seconds, or the time recommended by the manufacturer.
5 Roll the paper out onto your worktable. The patterned/colored side should be facing up.
6 Fold the ends slightly inward toward the pasted side. They should not be creased, just coerced slightly in toward the pasted side. This is called “booking.”
7 Let the wallpaper sit for two to five minutes. During this time, the wallpaper expands. Laying the paper too soon will cause it to expand on the wall and create gaps.[12]XResearch source Advertisement
Part 4 Part 4 of 4:
Hanging Prepasted Wallpaper
1 Pick the wallpaper up off your worktable. Ensure the pattern is right side up.
2 Align and apply the top half of the paper sheet to the wall. Use your plumb marks on the wall to line it up. Then, leave about two inches (5cm) of extra paper above the trim to remove later.
3 Slide the paper into position as needed. The size on the walls should allow you to slide it to an exact position.
4 Use a wallpaper smoothing brush or tool to remove bubbles. Brush the bubbles out toward the sides. Repeat until the wallpaper is smoothed to the wall.
5 Repeat with the bottom half of the strip. Always smooth from top to bottom and from the center toward the sides.
6 Wet a sponge and wash off excess paste from the patterned side of the wallpaper as needed.[13]XResearch source
7 Trim the wallpaper by holding a putty knife flush with the trim. Cut with one clean motion against the top edge of the putty knife using a utility knife. Keep your utility blade as horizontal as possible as you cut.
Replace the blade after cutting the trim off two pieces of wallpaper. Sharp blades are essential to avoid tearing.
8 Apply the rest of your wallpaper in a similar fashion. Make sure you align it with the plumb line and with the previous strips of wallpaper. Pay attention to manufacturer directions on how to match up the pattern.[14]XResearch source
9 Apply the wallpaper over light switches and other features. Then, cut from the center of the fixture toward the corners. Trim the paper with our utility knife and putty knife. Advertisement
Expert Q&A
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Question How do you prep walls for wallpaper? Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Expert Answer Apply a coat of primer first. Once everything is dry, you can start applying the wallpaper. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question How do you cover holes in the wall with wallpaper? Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Expert Answer It's actually a better idea to fill the holes with joint compound before adding any wallpaper. Once the surface is smooth, seal everything by applying a coat of primer to the wall. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Wallpaper rolls
Water tray
Water
Utility knife with snap off blade
Level/plumb bob
Sponge
Plastic wallpaper smoother
Tape measure
Putty knife
Pencil
Worktable
Step stool
Drop cloths
TSP
Sizing/acrylic undercoat
Paint brush/roller
Liner paper (optional)
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Co-authored by: Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. This article has been viewed 34,109 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 2Updated: September 13, 2025 Views: 34,109
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Co-authored by: Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. This article has been viewed 34,109 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 2 Updated: September 13, 2025 Views: 34,109 
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748 
1 Buy a plumb bob and hang it from the ceiling. Mark the vertical line in several areas on the wall. If your walls or windows appear crooked compared to these lines, consider a random wallpaper pattern so the edges and corners aren’t noticeable.[1] 
2 Ensure there is enough room to view your pattern. Generally, large prints don’t work in small rooms because they make them feel smaller. Advertisement 
3 Choose small prints and light colors to make your room feel larger. Small prints exaggerate the size of the room, while light colors reflect light, adding to the spacious feeling.[2] 
4 Opt for wallpapering just one wall with any pattern to make a statement wall. It is best to use a wall without windows and other fixtures in this case. 
5 Purchase wallpaper from a wallpaper company or wall covering company if possible. This will allow you to inquire about the best methods and tips for using it. You will be able to call the store if you have any questions throughout the process.[3] 
6 Save the run and dye lot numbers that are written on the back of your wallpaper. If you need to order more, they may be able to match the color to the exact printing that you used previously. 
7 Read the instructions that come with your wallpaper very closely. Each paper is slightly different. When in doubt, use the specific directions rather than general directions for wallpapering. Advertisement 
1 Purchase or rent a complete set of supplies according to the list of things below. 
2 Ask if you can rent a basswood table from the wall covering shop. To make your own, rest a three by six-foot (0.9m by 1.5m) piece of three-fourths inch (1.9cm) plywood on top of two sawhorses. Sand the corners of the plywood to avoid tearing.[4] 
3 Ask someone to help you hang wallpaper for the best results. Large pieces can be slightly unwieldy. 
4 Mark the plumb line before you hang sections of wallpaper. You should make a mark every six inches (15cm) or so, to ensure you hang a sheet to be completely level. Don’t trust ceilings, floors, trim or windows, since many of them are hung without being perfectly level.[5] 
5 Remove all furniture from the room, or as much furniture as you can. Cover the floor in drop cloths. The water and paste can drip off the table and onto floors. 
6 Prepare your walls in advance. You will need to apply patching compound and sand it if there are holes.[6] Wash the wall with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a TSP substitute.[7] 
7 Improve the application of your wallpaper by applying a layer of acrylic undercoat, called sizing, to the wall and letting it dry overnight.[9] 
1 Take a vertical strip of wallpaper. Cut it to the length of your wall, adding four inches (10cm) of extra space, or two for the top and two for the bottom. 
2 Roll the piece from bottom to top, inside out. This means the prepasted side, usually white side, should be toward the outside.[11] 
3 Fill your water tray with room temperature water. Place it at the bottom end of your worktable. 
4 Submerge the roll of wallpaper in the water tray. Soak it for about 30 seconds, or the time recommended by the manufacturer. 
5 Roll the paper out onto your worktable. The patterned/colored side should be facing up. 
6 Fold the ends slightly inward toward the pasted side. They should not be creased, just coerced slightly in toward the pasted side. This is called “booking.” 
7 Let the wallpaper sit for two to five minutes. During this time, the wallpaper expands. Laying the paper too soon will cause it to expand on the wall and create gaps.[12] Advertisement 
1 Pick the wallpaper up off your worktable. Ensure the pattern is right side up. 
2 Align and apply the top half of the paper sheet to the wall. Use your plumb marks on the wall to line it up. Then, leave about two inches (5cm) of extra paper above the trim to remove later. 
3 Slide the paper into position as needed. The size on the walls should allow you to slide it to an exact position. 
4 Use a wallpaper smoothing brush or tool to remove bubbles. Brush the bubbles out toward the sides. Repeat until the wallpaper is smoothed to the wall. 
5 Repeat with the bottom half of the strip. Always smooth from top to bottom and from the center toward the sides. 
6 Wet a sponge and wash off excess paste from the patterned side of the wallpaper as needed.[13] 
7 Trim the wallpaper by holding a putty knife flush with the trim. Cut with one clean motion against the top edge of the putty knife using a utility knife. Keep your utility blade as horizontal as possible as you cut. 
8 Apply the rest of your wallpaper in a similar fashion. Make sure you align it with the plumb line and with the previous strips of wallpaper. Pay attention to manufacturer directions on how to match up the pattern.[14] 
9 Apply the wallpaper over light switches and other features. Then, cut from the center of the fixture toward the corners. Trim the paper with our utility knife and putty knife. Advertisement 
Ryaan Tuttle Home Improvement Specialist Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. 
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