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How to Hang Self-Adhesive Wallpaper

by Chelsea Creekmore

Wallpaper adds visual interest, extra dimension, and pops of color to any room. Wallpaper is incredibly versatile. It can replace a backsplash in a kitchen, add pops of color on a bookshelf, or add a pattern in a nursery. At Hoover Paint, we have a wide selection of wallpaper and all the tools you'll need to hang it.

woman wearing overalls applying light green wallpaper to a white wall
While the basic idea is the same for any wallpaper, self-adhesive wallpaper is usually less messy, easier to hang, and easier to adjust than pasted or unpasted wallpaper. However, if you move it too often, it will lose its stickiness. This short guide can help you hang your self-adhesive wallpaper correctly the first time.

Step #1: Gather Your Materials

Once you've selected the wallpaper you want to hang, gather everything you'll need:

  • A good pair of scissors
  • A table (for cutting)
  • A stepladder
  • A tape measure
  • A smoothing tool
  • A straight edge
  • A razor
  • Spackle
  • Wallpaper primer (optional)
  • A pencil

Step #2: Prep the Wall

Before you hang the wallpaper, remove any nails, fill holes with spackle, and clean the walls. Some people also use wallpaper primer to make the wallpaper easier to hang.

Step #3: Measure and Cut Your First Strip of Wallpaper

Measure the length of your wall and add an extra 4-6 inches so you have some overlap. The walls may not be exactly even, and you can always cut off extra wallpaper to get the fit you want. Carefully measure and make a straight mark with the pencil where you want to cut your wallpaper. Verify your line is straight and even, and then cut away!

Step #4: Hang Your First strip of Self-Adhesive Wallpaper

Start hanging the wallpaper in the left-hand corner and work from left to right. With each strip, work from the top down to the bottom. Align the paper so it's a little above the top of the ceiling to prevent unsightly gaps at the top as you get further down. You also want about 2 inches of overlap at the bottom. Once the wallpaper is up on the walls, smooth out any air bubbles.

Step #5: Hang Your Second Strip of Wallpaper

Measure the second strip similarly by adding an extra 4-6 inches to the wall measurement. Before you peel and place it, try to see where it aligns with the pattern, if there is one, from the first panel. You can adjust it up or down, but try not to overlap the previous strip while getting as close to the first panel as possible.

You'll continue in this manner all the way down the wall. If you're wallpapering a whole room, overlap a little at the corners to ensure a good and clean fit.

Step #6: Trim the Excess Wallpaper

Once you have the self-adhesive wallpaper up, trim the excess at the top and the bottom of the wall. You should also carefully cut holes for the light switches, outlets, or anything else that protrudes from the wall.

That's it! Enjoy your beautiful new wallpaper!

Contact Us

When you're looking for wallpaper, visit Hoover Paint. We have everything you need to complete your paint and wallpaper projects. Please call us with any questions; our friendly staff will do their best to answer. We have locations in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Cool Springs, Shelbyville, Cookeville, Green Hills, Manchester, Mt. Juliet, Clarksville, and Pleasant View, Tennessee. We also serve the surrounding areas.

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