Wallpapering Tutorial For First Timers: NYNR Refresh Challenge Week 5

I’m conquering my fear and wallpapering!  Check out my wallpapering tutorial for first timers along with my tips to make the experience easier!  

This year is all about renewal for me.  I’m planning to renew the confidence in myself, my skills, and especially my outlook on certain do it yourself projects.  Now, that last one is a big one.  Having a renewed outlook on diy means taking the leap and trying new things.  Wallpapering was one of those things for me.

 

 

You may say, “but, Steph.  You already have a few areas already wallpapered!  What’s the hold up?”

Though my daughter’s boho kid’s room has wallpaper, along with my basement craft room, I have not wallpapered any of those walls on my own.  So, this dining room makeover was a perfect time to not only get over my fear of wallpapering, but to try out this new skill in a safe space.  I need to remove my fear of failure and tell myself that it’s okay to fail as long as I try.  I can only get better with repeated attempts!

Catch up on all the dining room makeover posts here:

Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4

Thoughts on Wallpapering for the First Time

So, here goes my first renewed diy outlook and attempt at wallpapering!

I can honestly say that it wasn’t the impossible task I thought it was going to be.  I often have to tackle projects on my own since the hubs is working so much.  Wallpapering was one of those things that kept coming up as a 2 person task.  Well ladies and gents…. I did it myself and NAILED IT!

 

 

I’m super proud of myself and that I mustered up the confidence to tackle it.  The Milton & King Gadara wallpaper I ordered for the room really helped the ease of the project.  Much of the ease was due to Milton & King’s paste the wall type of wallpaper and that it’s not the other paste the wallpaper type that you have to fold in half and let sit for a while.  I just love this paper and I may even consider doing the wallpaper installation again.

Wallpapering Tutorial For First Timers

Here is a quick and dirty guide to help you with your first time wallpapering!

1.Before starting, clean all walls with a dry cloth or duster.  Use a vacuum to clean all the baseboards and window trim.

 

 

2. Watch and follow Milton & King’s video on How To Install Wallpaper.  It is honestly one of the best video tutorials out there on Youtube.  I watched it a few times before I got started and followed the steps.

3. Once you have marked the straight, vertical starting line on your wall you’ll need to cut your panels to make installation much easier.  Calculate how many panels you will need and cut each panel needed for the wall.  Always leave 1 panel available to compare the cut segments.  This help me make sure each panel was identical rather than holding up each new panel to the wall.

4. Add about 2 inches to each side of the panel to allow you to create a nice clean cut edge to each sides of the pasted panel.  My first panel was cut exactly the wall length and it was a catastrophe trying to line the paper to the baseboard.

 

 

5. Use an paintbrush to apply the wallpaper paste to the corners and edges of the wall.  Then, used an epoxy roller and Roman universal wallpaper and border adhesive to adhere each strip of paper to the wall being careful to align the seams to match.  Have your tray of paste close by as you may need to apply more paste if it dried before you align the panel.

6. Use a wallpaper smoother to smooth out the bubbles/wrinkles instead of  a wallpaper brush.  I couldn’t find a brush at the Home Depot or Lowes, but it turned out I didn’t need it anyway!  Use a moistened sponge to wipe away any excess paste.  If you leave paste, it will dry shiny on the paper.

 

 

7.  Then, use a utility knife to trim both edges of the paper as shown in the video.  The hard part is going to be cutting around window trim.  I cried once when I did the windows, but it could be since it was about 3am when I got to the window and I was exhausted.  Note to self:  Don’t start wallpapering at night.  Make the process easier by pasting the panel above the window trim and using the wallpaper smoother to flatten the paper panel as much as possible before cutting around the trim.  Have scissors handy to cut away any excess paper in your way.

8.  Lastly, use a wallpaper seam roller to press down any flappy seams and allow paper to dry for a few hours (I prefer overnight.).

 

 

9.  Repeat until your space is covered.  Be sure to take mini breaks and stay hydrated as you work.  I noticed that I was getting a little dizzy climbing up and down the ladder.

And there you have it!  How to conquer wallpapering for the first time!

Stay tuned for the final reveal next week.  It was supposed to be this week, but about half of us participants got sick last week and others are still waiting for items to arrive.  I can’t wait to see how everyone finished their rooms!  Be sure to link up your rooms if you’re taking the challenge with us and visit each participant below for this week’s progress posts before the final reveal next Tuesday!

 

 

Casa Watkins Living // Domicile 37 // House Homemade // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It //

Jeweled Interiors // Pocketful of Posies // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors

 

Looking to upgrade your room?  Check out these wonderful sponsors to help you in the task!

Now it’s your turn!  Link up your New Year New Room Refresh Challenge rooms and share your progress with us!