DIY wallpaper installation can be a rewarding yet surprisingly intricate endeavour. With the diversity of wallpaper designs, textures and materials available today, it’s no wonder so many homeowners and renters are eager to transform their spaces without professional help. However, what may initially seem like a straightforward decorative upgrade can quickly go awry due to a number of common oversights. Knowing what to avoid is just as crucial as understanding the steps to follow. Whether you’re a novice with your first roll or someone with a few projects under your belt, steering clear of these frequently made errors will save you considerable time, money and frustration.
Understanding the Substrate: Skipping Wall Preparation
One of the most critical factors in a flawless wallpaper installation is thoroughly preparing the wall surface. Yet, many eager DIYers rush through or overlook this step entirely. Applying wallpaper to a dirty, uneven or poorly primed wall can lead to peeling, bubbling and eventual failure of adhesion.
Walls should be clean, smooth and dry before any adhesive touches them. Remove old wallpaper completely and wash the walls to eliminate grease, dust and debris. If the wall has holes or bumps, these should be filled and sanded down. For new plaster, it’s important to apply a size or primer to seal the surface and improve bonding. Ignoring this preparation compromises the long-term success of your project. In addition, any glossy paint finishes should be lightly sanded, or treated with a primer designed for wallpaper adhesion. Wallpaper needs a grippable, consistent surface to stick to effectively.
Assuming All Wallpaper Is the Same
Not all wallpaper is created equal. An often underestimated mistake is assuming that all types of wallpaper, from peel-and-stick to traditional paste-the-wall variants, perform in the same way. The kind of wallpaper you choose should be appropriate for the room’s use, wall texture, and your skill level.
Peel-and-stick wallpapers require a smooth surface and are more forgiving for renters or short-term decorating. They can be repositioned and removed easily, but they may not hold up well in high-humidity areas like bathrooms. Traditional paper and fabric-backed vinyl wallpapers are more durable but generally require a more skilled approach to pasting and hanging. Know the specifics of your product and follow the manufacturer’s guidance. Taking time to research your chosen wallpaper material and ensuring it suits your needs will help you avoid difficulties during installation and improve its longevity.
Neglecting to Measure Accurately
The old adage “measure twice, cut once” holds particularly true in wallpapering. A common mistake is underestimating the amount of wallpaper needed or miscalculating the dimensions of both the room and the pattern repeat.
First, measure the height and width of each wall to be covered. Then, consider the pattern repeat, which refers to how often the design repeats vertically or horizontally. Failing to account for this can lead to a lack of continuity between strips and a noticeable mismatch. Always order extra – usually about 10-15% more than your calculated area – to accommodate cutting errors, alignment issues, and future repairs. The extra length will come in handy if a portion of the wallpaper is damaged during installation or if you need to re-hang a section.
Overlooking the Importance of Plumb Lines
It might seem intuitive to start wallpapering in a corner and work your way around, but that’s where many errors begin to snowball. Walls are rarely perfectly vertical, especially in older homes. If your first strip is not aligned using a plumb line or spirit level, every subsequent panel will continue to skew off-angle.
This can result in diagonal drift across the wall, unsightly gaps, and pattern misalignment. Starting with a plumb line – a straight vertical guide drawn using a level – ensures your wallpaper panels are correctly oriented from the very beginning. This is especially important with bold geometric or linear patterns where even the smallest deviation can be eye-catching and disruptive.
Not Booking the Wallpaper Properly
For traditional wallpaper applications using paste, another commonly overlooked step is booking. Booking refers to the process of folding pasted wallpaper onto itself, paste-to-paste, and letting it rest for a few minutes before application. This allows the paper to absorb the moisture and expand slightly before adhering to the wall.
By skipping or shortening this process, you risk the paper expanding on the wall, which can cause wrinkles, bubbles and seams to lift. Different wallpapers have varying booking instructions, ranging from a few minutes to over ten, and some require reverse rolling or specific folding techniques. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, as booking plays a critical role in how well the wallpaper behaves during and after the application.
Improper Paste Application
Just as critical as the wallpaper itself is the paste you choose and how it’s applied. Using the wrong type of adhesive or applying it unevenly can severely compromise the adhesion and appearance of the wallpaper.
Some wallpapers are paste-the-paper types, meaning you need to apply adhesive to the back of the wallpaper. Others are paste-the-wall, requiring direct application to the wall surface instead. Then there are pre-pasted varieties, which need to be activated by water. Using wall paste on paper-backed wallpaper, or failing to apply a consistent layer, can result in splotchy sticking, early peeling or even damage to the wallpaper during use. Be generous with paste but avoid drips or excessive buildup, which can bleed through or stain the wallpaper face.
Inadequate Smoothing and Air Bubble Removal
After hanging each strip, it’s vital to smooth it out properly to remove air bubbles and ensure full contact with the wall. However, some DIYers either rush this process or don’t use the correct tools. Trying to smooth with bare hands or inappropriate tools often creates creases or fails to remove trapped air.
Invest in a quality smoothing brush or plastic squeegee designed for wallpaper application. Start in the centre of the panel and work outward, gently pressing to release any air. Be cautious not to over-smooth or use too much pressure on delicate wallpaper types, which can stretch or damage the surface. Skipping this step or handling it carelessly can lead to a poorly finished appearance and reduce wallpaper longevity.
Failing to Allow for Pattern Matching
Pattern match is perhaps one of the most frustrating and complex aspects of wallpaper installation. Overlooking pattern alignment between strips can completely ruin the visual harmony of a wall and draw unwanted attention to misaligned images or lines.
Some wallpapers have a straight match, where the design continues directly across, making matching relatively straightforward. Others use a drop match, which requires the next strip to start slightly lower. Understanding and planning for this in advance is key. Not only must you cut and hang the wallpaper to match, but you must also be prepared to waste some paper to get it right. Failing to plan for the match not only wastes material but also results in a chaotic finish that undermines the wallpaper’s intended impact.
Cutting Corners, Literally
Corners and areas around windows, doors, light switches and sockets are where mistakes most often become visible to others. Many DIYers rely on guesswork or haphazard cuts in these tricky zones, leading to ragged edges, gaps or poorly aligned sections.
When approaching a corner, it’s better to treat it as two separate sections rather than wrapping a single piece around. Measure and cut accurately, allowing a slight overlap to ensure coverage. For areas requiring trimming, use a sharp utility blade and a metal ruler or straight edge to guide cuts. Taking time to prep and perfect these details makes a dramatic difference in the overall appearance. It might be time-consuming, but it’s far better than multiple attempts to correct a rushed job.
Disregarding Climate Considerations
Humidity and temperature can significantly affect wallpaper application and drying. Installing wallpaper during periods of high humidity – such as after a hot shower or in the middle of a rainy day – may cause it to fail to adhere properly, while dry, overly warm environments can speed up drying too much, preventing proper contact and sealing.
Ideally, wallpaper should be installed in a room with consistent, moderate temperature and good ventilation. Give the room some time to stabilise after using heating or air conditioning before you begin. Also, avoid using fans or dehumidifiers directly on newly applied wallpaper during its drying phase, as uneven drying can lead to buckling or seams opening.
Underestimating Time and Complexity
Perhaps the most pervasive pitfall of all is underestimating just how much time wallpapering requires. It’s not just a matter of slapping a few panels on the wall in an afternoon. From preparing the walls, cutting and matching strips, managing paste and positioning panels to final clean-up and inspection, wallpapering is time-intensive work.
Yet, many DIYers rush through or attempt to complete a large room in a single day. This hurried approach often leads to errors that could have been avoided with planning and patience. Approaching it methodically – perhaps one wall per day – allows for better focus, less fatigue, and a higher quality finish. Bring a mindset of craftsmanship, not haste, to the process.
Neglecting the Final Touches
Once the last strip is hung and the tools are packed away, many assume the job is complete. But some of the most impactful final touches occur after installation. Carefully inspect seams and corners for adhesion, go over any bubbles that may have surfaced later, and delicately trim excess at the baseboards and ceiling for a seamless finish.
Wiping down the wallpaper surface with a damp, soft sponge – if your wallpaper type permits – removes paste residue and enhances the look. Also, monitor the wallpaper over the next day or two for any issues that may arise as it fully dries. Address these issues promptly to avoid long-term damage or flaws that are harder to fix later.
In Conclusion
Wallpapering your space can be an invigorating change, transforming the mood, texture and personality of a room. However, as with all decorative undertakings, its success lies in attention to detail, preparation, and patience. Avoiding the most common DIY mistakes—from skipping wall prep to rushing through alignment—ensures your wallpaper doesn’t just stick, but truly shines.
By taking time to understand your materials, measure accurately, follow installation techniques, and finish with care, you’ll not only achieve a beautiful result but also gain the satisfaction of having created it yourself. Whether you’re adding a bold feature wall or reimagining an entire room, a thoughtful, well-executed wallpaper job elevates the space and reflects your personal style.
So take a breath, plan ahead, and enjoy the process. With the right approach, wallpapering becomes more than a home improvement task—it becomes a creative journey with stunning results.
