Wallpaper Hanging Guide

Start with the room and the wall

Consider light, moisture, cleaning and how much pattern you want. A sample helps you judge colour and scale beside the room's furniture and fixed finishes. Check the paper's hanging and care instructions before committing to a whole room.

Our wallpaper versus paint comparison weighs appearance, maintenance and future changes. A feature wall can be a different decision from covering all four walls.

Work out the roll quantity

Measure each wall, the height and the actual roll dimensions. Pattern matching and trimming can use material that a simple square-metre calculation misses. Use our wallpaper calculator to estimate straight-match or free-match quantities.

For patterned papers, read wallpaper pattern matching before ordering. Confirm batch numbers and the supplier's ordering guidance, especially for handprinted papers, murals and drop matches.

For free-match paper, divide the combined wall width by roll width and round up for the number of drops. Divide roll length by wall height plus trimming allowance and round down for drops per roll. Divide required drops by drops per roll and round up; pattern repeats change the cut length.

Prepare the surface for the paper

Wallpaper needs a sound, clean and appropriately prepared background. Loose paint, damp and uneven repairs can affect adhesion or show through the finish. Take clear photos of the wall and any existing covering when you enquire.

If old paper needs to come off, our wallpaper removal guide explains how to identify the paper and protect the wall underneath. Avoid treating every paper as suitable for the same soaking or steaming method.

How to hang wallpaper: the working sequence

Gather a tape measure, level or plumb line, sharp trimming tools, a smoothing tool and the specified adhesive. Then follow the paper's hanging instructions in order:

1. Prepare and size the sound, dry wall as required. Mark a plumb starting line rather than following a corner that may lean.
2. Plan the first motif, then cut and label drops to the match instruction.
3. Paste the wall or paper as directed. Keep any specified soaking time consistent.
4. Align the first drop to the plumb line. Smooth gently without stretching the paper.
5. Match the next drop before trimming. Clean adhesive from seams only as permitted for the face.
6. Check the match before cutting more rolls and let the room dry steadily.

Common mistakes include using the wrong paste, inconsistent soaking, stretching seams and trimming with a blunt blade. A small practice area can help with handling; delicate and handprinted papers deserve particular care.

Decide whether to remove or paint existing paper

Sound, firmly bonded wallpaper may sometimes be painted, but the coating cannot repair weak seams or hidden damp. Read painting over wallpaper before deciding to keep it.

A small test area is more informative than a guess based on the surface appearance. Vinyl, textured and already painted papers can each behave differently.

Troubleshoot bubbles and lifting edges

A wet sheet and a dry, persistent bubble are different situations. Our wallpaper bubbles guide explains what to observe before pressing, cutting or adding adhesive.

For open joints, use the peeling wallpaper guide to distinguish a local seam problem from a failing background. Repairing the cause protects the next finish.

Start here

1. Wallpaper vs Paint
2. Wallpaper Calculator: How Many Rolls?
3. Wallpaper Pattern Repeat and Matching

Explore the detailed guides

• Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?Can you paint over wallpaper? Check adhesion, vinyl, seams and existing paint before deciding. Read GDPD’s practical guide and discuss your walls.
• Wallpaper vs PaintWallpaper vs paint: compare appearance, preparation, cleaning and future changes. Use GDPD’s room checklist and discuss your decorating project.
• Wallpaper Calculator: How Many Rolls?How much wallpaper do I need? Use GDPD’s wallpaper calculator, full-drop example and measuring checklist before ordering paper or requesting hanging.
• How to Remove WallpaperHow to remove wallpaper without rushing the wall preparation. Compare paper types, tools and removal steps, then discuss your decorating project with GDPD.
• Wallpaper Bubbles: Causes and Next StepsWallpaper bubbles: understand drying, trapped air and loose backing, with a practical repair checklist. Get advice for your GDPD wallpaper project.
• Wallpaper Peeling: Repair or Replace?Wallpaper peeling or seams lifting? Follow GDPD’s checks for damp, adhesive and wall condition before repair or replacement. Discuss your wallpaper work.
• Wallpaper Pattern Repeat and MatchingWallpaper pattern repeat and matching explained: straight, free and half-drop layouts, cutting and waste. Plan your paper with GDPD’s practical guide.