How to Hang Wallpaper in Problem Areas

Find out how to wallpaper in corners, around windows, doors, sockets, radiators and in your stairwell...

Easy tips and techniques for decorating with wallpaper, here...

Don’t worry though, it’s no big deal..!

All you need to know are the special techniques for how to hang wallpaper in problem areas…

How to Wallpaper in Corners
How to Wallpaper around Doors and Windows
How to Wallpaper Behind Radiators
How to Wallpaper around Switches and Sockets
How to Wallpaper a Stairwell

How to Hang Wallpaper in Corners

• There is always a danger of joins looking messy, or coming unstuck at the ‘seams’…
• Make joins meet at corners, to get a smooth finish.
• Overlap the corner by around 1 inch, with the first piece of wallpaper. Then, lay the second piece of wallpaper overlapping the first, by about half an inch, with the edge around half an inch from the edge of the corner.
• This guide applies whether you are hanging wallpaper on an internal corner, or an external corner.

Watch these short video clips for more detail about getting a really neat finish hanging wallpaper in corners…

Just click on the images to find out more…

How to Hang Wallpaper around Doors and Windows

• The process for wallpapering around a door or a window is the same.
• Wallpaper as usual on the main, flat wall, and leave a good few inches of overlap when you reach a door or window.
• Then cut a diagonal cut into the paper, at the corner of the window, or door frame.
• Crease the wallpaper down, where the frame meets the wall.
• Trim neatly along the crease.
• If you are papering into a reveal for a window or door, place the wallpaper on the flat wall, overlapping the widow void by a few inches, as before.
• Make horizontal cuts just inside the top and bottom of the window reveal.
• Fold over the excess paper, and finish by creasing against the frame, and trimming neatly.
• Cut a short length of wallpaper, and match the pattern to cover the small area above the window or door.

Click the image below to watch the short video clip to help...

Return to the list of problem places

How to Wallpaper Behind Radiators

• Ideally you should remove radiators from the wall, before wallpapering. If this is impractical, turn off the heating, and allow the radiator to cool.
• Measure carefully the positions of the brackets on the wall. Then transfer these measurements onto the wallpaper.
• Slit the wallpaper from the bottom of the length, up to the top of the brackets. The wallpaper should now just easily slide down either side of the brackets.
• Press the wallpaper down onto the wall with a special wallpaper roller, and crease and trim neatly, by the skirting board.

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How to Wallpaper around Switches and Sockets

• Make sure that the electricity is switched off at the mains.
• Hang the wallpaper loosely over the socket or switch.
• Carefully slice an ‘X’ over the socket, and trim to around ¼ to ½ inch all round.
• Loosen the socket/switch slightly, so that you can tuck the edges neatly behind, and fasten the socket/switch back onto the wall.
• Leave the electricity switched off until the paste is thoroughly dry.

Click the image below to watch a short video clip to help....

Return to the list of problem places

How to Hang Wallpaper in a Stairwell

• Always be aware of safety when hanging wallpaper in a stairwell. Use the proper ladders and safety equipment.
• It is best if you have someone to help you wallpaper this awkward area, especially as some of the wallpaper lengths are very long, and can get quite cumbersome.
• Paste your wallpaper lengths very thoroughly, else they might dry out before you finish the length.
• Start with the longest length first. Make sure you are allowing enough length for the longest part of the angle.
• Use a vertical plumb line to get the first wallpaper length straight.
• Overlap by around half an inch onto the head wall.
• Using the point of some scissors, crease along the angled skirting, and trim it neatly.
• Continue applying the lengths of wallpaper, and butt them up neatly, one against the other.
• Complete the head wall last.
• If possible, remove the banister for easy papering, or crease up to the banister, and trim neatly.

Return to the list of problem places

Hopefully these extra techniques will help with how to hang wallpaper in all those awkward spots – and help you to get a really professional finish in all of your wallpapered rooms.

Find out about special techniques for hanging wallpapers of different kinds.

Go back to basics and look at easy instructions for how to wallpaper – basic instructions.

Return to the main How to Wallpaper page for more tips for choosing, removing and hanging wallpaper.

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