Perhaps as a child you watched your parents wallpaper and got the impression that it was a rather complicated science. By now you probably know: it’s actually not that complicated. With our tips, wallpapering becomes (almost) child’s play, especially if you opt for modern types of wallpaper such as non-woven wallpaper. You will also learn which mistakes you should avoid when wallpapering. To see ikea adhesive foils, please check bestcraftblog.
Wallpapering for beginners: With these tips it’s possible
Perhaps the biggest mistake when wallpapering is the lack of preparation of the subfloor. This may be cumbersome, but the effort is worth it: the more thorough the preparation, the better the result. Old wallpaper needs to be removed first – for paper wallpaper, this means it needs to be perforated and then thoroughly soaked before you can scrape it off the wall.
Drill holes and cracks are then carefully sealed, for example with gypsum filler. You should cover plaster with a thin mixture of paste before wallpapering, so that the wallpaper will stick better afterwards. Is there paint left on the walls? This must also be removed.
Depending on the type of wallpaper, you now apply the paste to the wall or to the wallpaper. Be generous, because if there is enough paste, you can still readjust the wallpaper on the wall. Another common mistake when wallpapering: The paste does not match the wallpaper. There are specific types of paste for paper, non-woven and woodchip wallpaper. Get advice from a specialist store if you are unsure.
A particularly good wallpapering tip for beginners: Use colored paste. Then you can see exactly where the wall (or wallpaper) is already sufficiently covered and where paste is still missing.
How much wallpaper do I need for wallpapering? Calculation tips
A standard roll of wallpaper is sufficient for about 5 square meters of wall, because it measures exactly 53 cm by 10.05 m. You can calculate the required area by multiplying the circumference of your room by its height. You do not deduct the areas that are required for windows and doors from the result – so you have a small reserve right away.
Important tip for wallpapering with patterned wallpaper: Here you must definitely consider the so-called “repeat”. This is the height of the repeating pattern – you can usually find this on the label on the roll. You have to include the repeat in the calculation so that everything looks even in the end. So you need more rolls than wallpaper without a pattern.
Another tip for wallpapering with woodchip wallpaper: woodchip wallpaper rolls are often significantly longer than paper or non-woven wallpaper rolls. So pay close attention to the description.
What types of wallpaper are there?
Most of us know the simple paper wallpaper from childhood days. These are available in numerous strengths and designs. For the children’s room , for example, there are many colorful patterns to choose from. The rule of thumb here is: the firmer the paper, the better the quality. Paper wallpaper needs to be soaked with paste before you apply it to the wall. It is important to really stick to the exposure time, because too short an exposure time leads to blisters under the wallpaper.
The modern non-woven wallpaper has many advantages over paper wallpaper and is therefore a great wallpapering tip for the less experienced. It is almost tear-resistant and conceals bumps and cracks. The paste is also not applied to the wallpaper, but directly to the wall. Then attach the wallpaper and smooth it out from the middle up and down. Since the non-woven wallpaper is impregnated, wallpapering is even possible in the bathroom and kitchen.
Woodchip wallpaper is also popular. This consists of wood fibers that are incorporated between layers of paper. This creates an aesthetic structure that you can use to decorate your walls. However, it should be painted over afterwards – even if the walls are to remain white.
Besides wallpapering tips, are you looking for other ideas for designing your walls? Then take a look at our article on living room colors !
