This guide answers the searches people actually make, like how to stick wallpaper on a wall, how to apply wallpaper on a wall, and how do you install wallpaper. We will keep every step simple, add pro tips for corners and sockets, and note when you can work on a painted wall without special primer.
Tools and Prep
Good prep makes the job easier, neater, and faster. Clear furniture away from the wall. Turn off the power at the breaker and remove switch and socket plates. Fill holes, sand smooth, and dust down with a dry cloth. Degrease cooking walls with sugar soap and let them dry. Gather a pasting roller and tray, a smoothing brush or plastic smoother, a sharp snap-off knife, metal ruler, seam roller, sponge, tape measure, a plumb line or laser, and a safe step stool. For non-wovens, you normally paste the wall; for traditional wallpapers, you paste the paper and let it rest before hanging.
Check the label before you start
Roll labels tell you if it is “paste-the-wall” or “paste-the-paper”, the pattern repeat, and any special instructions. Keep rolls from the same batch together so colour stays consistent from seam to seam.
Plan Your First Drop
Walls and corners are rarely straight. Do not trust them. Mark a true vertical line using a plumb line or laser, and start on a simple stretch of wall with no doors or windows. If the room is bright, work away from the main window so tiny overlaps never cast a shadow. Measure wall height and add a little extra for trimming at ceiling and skirting. Check the pattern repeat and decide where the seams will land so you do not end up with narrow slivers near the frames.
Method 1: Paste the Wall (Non-Woven)
This is the easiest route and answers most queries for how to apply wallpaper, how to put wallpaper, and how to install wallpaper. Non-woven drops hang dry and cut cleanly at the edges.
- Cut the first length a touch longer than the wall height.
- Load your roller and apply ready-mixed adhesive to the wall, a little wider than the drop. Cover evenly, avoiding ridges and dry patches.
- Offer the dry sheet to your plumb line at the top. Leave a small excess at ceiling level. Smooth down and out with a brush or smoother to push out air.
- Butt the next drop tightly without overlap, match the pattern, smooth again, and lightly roll the seam.
- Wipe off stray paste with a damp sponge, then trim top and bottom with a sharp knife against a metal ruler. Replace blades often for clean cuts.
Non-wovens do not need booking. That saves time and keeps the sheet stable while you line up the pattern.
Method 2: Paste the Paper (Traditional)
Some wallpapers still need to be pasted on the back. If your search was how to paste wallpaper or how to paste wallpaper on wall, use this approach.
- Cut your first length with enough extra for trimming. Lay face down on a clean table.
- Brush paste from the centre to the edges so they do not dry first.
- Fold the sheet gently on itself (booking) so the paste soaks in. Rest for the time stated on the roll.
- Hang to your plumb line, smooth from the centre out, and trim neatly at top and bottom.
- Wipe paste off the face before it dries and keep the temperature steady while it cures.
Corners, Sockets, and Tricky Spots
Here is where most beginners slow down. Taking a minute to set up pays off.
Internal corners
Never try to bend a full sheet through an inside corner. Measure to the corner and add 10–15 mm. Hang the first piece into the corner by that amount. Start the next drop on the new wall using a fresh plumb line, then butt it into the corner for a straight run.
External corners
Treat outer corners in the same way. Wrap a narrow return, then start a new plumb line on the far side. This keeps long runs straight and avoids creeping diagonally across the wall.
Sockets and switches
With the power off, hang over the fitting. Cut a neat X from the centre to the corners of the box. Trim to the outside edge, smooth down, wipe paste, and refit faceplates after the paper firms up.
Radiators and brackets
If you can loosen a bracket, do it for a cleaner finish. Otherwise, slit carefully and ease the paper behind, then trim around neatly. Keep a fresh blade for every delicate cut.
Painted Walls: When to Prime or Size
If the paint is sound, matt, and clean, you can install wallpaper on painted wall after a light sand and a dust-off. Gloss or silk finishes need a de-gloss and a primer so the adhesive bonds. Fresh plaster or very porous surfaces should be sized or primed first to prevent the wall from sucking the paste dry at the seams. Lining paper is a smart extra step on rough walls because it evens the surface and helps seams sit flatter. Allow lining paper to dry fully before hanging your finish paper.
Adhesives: Which Paste Goes With What
Most non-wovens take a ready-mixed “paste-the-wall” adhesive. Traditional papers often use a mix-your-own starch paste or a ready-mixed variant brushed onto the back. Choose the paste type the label recommends. Heavy vinyls or fabric-backed papers need a stronger grade. Keep paste off the face where possible, and wipe spills promptly with a damp sponge. If you are unsure, follow the roll instructions rather than guessing.
Pattern Matching Without Tears
Patterns have a repeat that must align across seams. Check the repeat length on the label and allow for it when you cut. For large motifs, pull the next drop-down the roll and match at the table before you trim the top. Work away from the main light so seams are less visible. Step back every two or three drops to make sure lines look level and the pattern is not creeping.
Temporary Options: Stickers and No-Glue Ideas
If you searched how to paste wall sticker or how to stick wallpaper on wall without glue, you are probably looking at peel-and-stick products or removable vinyls. These use a low-tack adhesive that can be repositioned and removed cleanly on many paints. Press from the centre out with a felt smoother and avoid heavy texture, which reduces contact. For paper prints you want to display short-term, painter’s tape or poster putty keeps paint safer than strong tapes. Classic wallpaper needs proper paste to hold weight and keep seams tight over time, so skip shortcuts on full walls.
Troubleshooting and Aftercare
Even careful work throws you a few curveballs. These fixes are simple.
Bubbles
Lift gently and smooth out while paste is still wet. For small trapped bubbles after drying, prick with a pin and smooth with light pressure to release air. Do not overwork wet seams.
Gapping seams
Usually caused by dry edges or stretching. Ease a small artist’s brush under the edge with paste, press, and roll the seam lightly. Keep the room at an even temperature while it cures.
Pattern creep
Re-check your plumb line every few drops. Trim tiny amounts at the edge to keep matches tidy rather than forcing a whole sheet off level.
Cleaning
Most modern wallpapers are wipeable. Check the label for washability symbols and use a soft sponge. Avoid strong cleaners unless stated. Once cured, non-wovens typically strip dry from the wall in large sheets when you start at a seam.
Final Notes for First-Timers
Take your time on the first drop. Once that line is perfect, the rest follows it. Keep blades sharp, cloths handy, and the room calm while paste cures. Whether your goal is a feature wall or a full room, these steps cover how to apply wallpaper to a wall from start to finish — with straight seams, tight corners, and clean trims that look like a pro hung them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you install wallpaper on a painted wall?
Answer: If paint is sound and matt, scuff-sand, dust off, and use the method the roll specifies. Gloss or silk finishes need a de-gloss and primer so paste bonds reliably. - How to stick paper on wall without damaging paint?
Answer: Use painter’s tape or poster putty for lightweight prints and low-tack peel-and-stick for temporary decorating. Classic wallpaper needs proper paste and will not stay flat without it. - How to stick wallpaper on wall with glue vs without glue?
Answer: Traditional wallpapers rely on paste. Non-woven “paste-the-wall” products still use adhesive, but you roll it on the wall and hang the sheet dry. “Without glue” applies to peel-and-stick vinyls rather than true wallpaper. - How to apply wallpaper to a wall with pattern?
Answer: Check the repeat on the label, start from a plumb line, and match at the table before trimming. Work away from the window so seams do not shadow. - How do you paste wallpaper for traditional papers?
Answer: Brush paste from the centre to the edges, fold gently for booking, rest as per label, then hang and smooth. Wipe paste before it dries. - Can I wallpaper over old wallpaper?
Answer: It is possible if the old layer is smooth and well-adhered, but lining paper or full removal gives a better finish. If there are multiple layers, strip back to the wall. - Do I need lining paper?
Answer: It helps hide minor flaws and makes seams sit flatter, especially on older plaster. Choose the grade based on wall condition and let it dry fully before you start. - How do I know whether to paste the wall or the paper?
Answer: Read the roll icon and instructions. Non-wovens are designed for paste-the-wall; many traditional papers want paste-the-paper. - What if I get bubbles after it dries?
Answer: Prick with a pin, add a touch of paste if needed, then smooth gently. Avoid overworking wet seams.
10. Any quick video to watch before starting?
Answer: Short step-by-step videos from reputable DIY channels or manufacturers help you visualise the process.
