Peel and Stick Wallpapers-So Quick, So Easy!
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO PEEL AND STICK WALLPAPERS
A couple of weeks ago I attempted to hang wallpaper for the first time in my life. Now, I am as kluzty as a person can be. I can’t do anything manual that requires dexterity, so my motto has always been “do it for me”.
But lately the labor cost has been crazy! That is, if you can find someone. Hence the reason for me to attempt to do it myself. It didn’t turn out too badly, and my goodness it was so easy!
This is the reason peel and stick wallpaper sale has gone up the roof. It’s easy, you can do it yourself, it’s forgiving if you mess up, and it’s easy to remove. Peel and stick wallcovering are so popular that even the high-end brands are getting into it. Scalamandre for example, recently released their iconic Zebra pattern in peel and stick along with some other beautiful patterns. My favorite peel and stick wallpapers are from York Wallcovering. It’s inexpensive so if I do mess up it’s no big deal. Always in stock, they ship fast, and I can usually get it in 3-5 days here on the West Coast. For a catalog, click here.
PATTERNS AVAILABLE IN PEEL AND STICK WALLCOVERING
The best thing about peel and stick is you can go crazy if you want—because if it doesn’t work out or if you get bored with it, it’s easy and inexpensive enough to change out quickly.
There are many patterns available. The complete collection can be found here.
Floral peel and stick wallpaper
HOW TO HANG PEEL AND STICK WALLPAPERS
You Tube has some fantastic videos on how to hang peel and stick wallpaper (isn’t it amazing that you can learn anything on YouTube? But I digress). The best instructional video on how to hang wallpaper is from my favorite channel, BYOT (bring your own tool).
If you prefer to read the instructions vs watching a video (or do both), the following is a quick and easy guide borrowed from York.
BEFORE YOU START
Inspect each roll for any defect and make sure rolls have the same run/lot number for exact color matching prior to cutting and hanging.
TOOLS YOU'LL NEED
Tape Measure · Level · Steel Ruler or Straight Edge · Razor Knife · Pencil · Plastic Smoother
SURFACE PREPARATION
For the best results, clean, dry, and smooth all surfaces. Product will not adhere to unclean or textured surfaces. Allow newly painted surfaces to fully cure for a minimum of 4 weeks before applying this peel & stick wallpaper.
HANGING
1. Pre-cut strips to wall height, allow an extra inch or two on top and bottom for trimming. Make sure to align any design from strip to strip prior to cutting and hanging each strip. Cut and trim product with a sharp razor knife changing the blade often to help maintain a smooth clean cut. Number the back of each strip as you go to keep your design in the correct order.
2. Beginning on the left side of your wall, measure out from the corner the width of the paper and mark the wall lightly with a pencil. Using your level, draw a straight line down. This is the guide for your 1st strip, and it is especially important for it to be a straight, vertical line.
3. Peel about 12” to 24” of the backing away from the top of the paper. Apply the paper to the top of the wall, allowing a bit of excess to overlap the ceiling which will be trimmed off later. Align the right side of the strip to your mark and lightly press the edge to the wall along the mark. You can reposition if needed to ensure a vertical seam.
4. Working from top to bottom, pull the backing away as you evenly press the paper to the wall a few inches at a time. Be careful not to pull or stretch the material or the pattern will not align. For best results, have one person guide the paper at the top and along the seam, while another holds the opposite edge away from the wall until the seams are lined up.
5. Using a plastic smoother, work your way down the strip in a back-and-forth motion, smoothing the material to the wall and pushing out any air bubbles (work them out from the center to the edge of the strip). Firm pressure must be applied to ensure air bubbles are removed and the wallpaper properly adheres to the wall. Note: If bubbles reappear, work them out by applying firm pressure smoother.
6. Trim excess material at ceiling and baseboard with a straight edge and sharp razor knife.
7. Repeat the procedure aligning your next strip to the right edge of your previous strip. Pro Tip: in some instances, and for some patterns, you may want to try over-lapping each strip ever so slightly (1/16th of an inch / 0.15 mm). Just make sure that the pattern aligns perfectly when doing so. CLEANING Peel & Stick Wallpaper is washable and can be cleaned using a mild detergent and a damp sponge or cloth. REPOSITIONING OR REMOVAL Start at the top corners gently pulling firmly, evenly, and slowly downward, working parallel to the surface. Be careful not to over stretch the material. Do not allow the adhesive surfaces to contact each other as they are exceedingly difficult to separate without damaging.
FOR BEST RESULTS
Apply onto smooth and clean surfaces. Do NOT apply onto freshly painted or papered walls (let paint or wallpaper dry for at least 4 weeks). Do NOT apply to lacquered furniture. The fading of furniture exposed to sunlight is not related to the use of our product. May not work on heavily textured surfaces. Test in an inconspicuous area before applying to wallpaper or other delicate surfaces. Keep decorations away from cribs and out of reach of young children to prevent choking hazard.
If you are looking to update a room in your house but don't want a permanent commitment, give this a try.
