How to Install a Wallpaper Mural
Before You Begin
Proper wall preparation is essential for a successful wallpaper mural installation.
The wall surface must be smooth, clean, dry, and sound. Remove any loose or flaking paint, old wallpaper, dust, dirt, or other material that could affect adhesion. Fill holes, cracks, and uneven areas and sand them smooth before installation.
If the existing wall color is significantly different from the background color of your new mural, we recommend applying a suitable primer to create a more uniform surface.
Priming Dry or Porous Walls
Newly skim-coated, patched, plastered, or very dry and porous walls should be primed before installation. Porous surfaces can absorb moisture from the wallpaper adhesive too quickly, which may reduce adhesion and make installation more difficult.
The primer and adhesive must be suitable for the specific material of the wallpaper mural you are installing, and the primer must be compatible with the adhesive being used.
Always check the specifications and installation instructions for your particular mural material and follow the primer and adhesive manufacturers' recommendations for compatibility, application, and drying time.
Allow the primer to dry completely before beginning installation.
Recommended Tools
Before you begin, we recommend having the following tools ready:
- Wallpaper adhesive suitable for your specific mural material
- Wallpaper primer, if required
- Roller and paint tray
- Paintbrush for corners, ceiling lines, baseboards, and areas the roller cannot reach
- Bucket
- Spirit level, laser level, or plumb line
- Steel ruler or straightedge
- Sharp wallpaper knife
- Pencil
- Wallpaper smoothing tool or wallpaper brush
- Clean, soft wallpaper sponge or cloth
- Clean water
Tip: Keep several fresh blades available. A sharp blade is essential for making clean cuts without tearing the wallpaper.
Inspect Your Mural Before Installation
Before applying adhesive or installing any part of the mural, inspect all panels carefully.
Make sure:
- You have received all panels required for your mural.
- The design and dimensions correspond with your order.
- The panels are numbered correctly.
- There is no visible shipping damage or manufacturing defect.
- The printed design appears correct when the panels are arranged in order.
Separate the panels according to the cutting marks or symbols provided with your mural.
Lay the panels on a clean, dry surface with the labels facing upward and arrange them in numerical order, beginning with Panel 1.
If anything appears incorrect, damaged, or defective, do not begin installation. Contact Scandinavian Wallpaper before cutting, pasting, or installing the mural.
We recommend keeping all labels and packaging until installation has been completed.
Step 1 – Establish a Straight Starting Line
Our wallpaper murals are installed from left to right, beginning at the left side of the wall. The panels are numbered in the order in which they should be installed.
The first panel must be perfectly vertical. Do not assume that the corner of the wall is straight.
Measure approximately one panel width from the left side and make a small pencil mark near the ceiling. Using a spirit level, laser level, or plumb line, draw a perfectly vertical guideline down the wall.
Use this line to position your first panel.
Step 2 – Apply the Adhesive
Use a wallpaper adhesive recommended for the specific material of your mural.
Apply the adhesive directly to the wall unless the installation instructions supplied for your particular mural material specify another method.
Use a brush to apply adhesive along the ceiling, baseboards, corners, and other areas that are difficult to reach with a roller.
Then use a roller to apply an even layer of adhesive over the remaining surface.
Make sure the entire area is evenly covered. Areas without sufficient adhesive may result in bubbles or edges that do not adhere properly.
Work with approximately one to one-and-a-half panel widths at a time so the adhesive does not begin to dry before the mural is installed.
Step 3 – Hang the First Panel
Position Panel 1 against the pasted wall and align it carefully with your vertical guideline.
Leave any required excess at the ceiling and floor for final trimming.
Before smoothing the entire panel into place, check again that it is perfectly vertical.
Once correctly positioned, gently smooth the panel onto the wall.
Step 4 – Smooth the Panel
Using a clean wallpaper smoothing tool or wallpaper brush, gently smooth the panel from the center outward toward the edges, working from top to bottom.
This removes trapped air and ensures good contact between the wallpaper and adhesive.
Avoid excessive pressure or aggressive rubbing, which may damage the printed surface.
Keep your smoothing tool clean throughout the installation.
Step 5 – Install the Remaining Panels
Continue installing the panels in numerical order from left to right.
The panels should be installed edge to edge without overlapping.
Carefully position each new panel so that the design aligns correctly and the edges meet neatly. Do not force or aggressively push the panels sideways to close a seam.
Make sure there is sufficient adhesive underneath the edges where adjoining panels meet.
Continue one panel at a time until the entire mural has been installed.
Step 6 – Remove Excess Adhesive
Try to avoid getting wallpaper adhesive on the printed surface of the mural.
If adhesive does get onto the front of the wallpaper, remove it immediately before it dries.
Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth and gently wipe the affected area. Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently so that you remove the adhesive rather than spread it across the surface.
Do not scrub the wallpaper and do not soak the surface.
Pay particular attention to the seams, ceiling line, and baseboards where excess adhesive can collect.
Step 7 – Trim the Mural
Once all panels have been positioned correctly, trim any excess wallpaper along the ceiling, floor, and other edges.
Use a sharp wallpaper knife and a straightedge to achieve a clean cut.
Change the blade frequently. A dull blade can tear or pull the wet wallpaper rather than cutting it cleanly.
Step 8 – Allow the Mural to Dry
Allow the wallpaper mural to dry naturally at normal room temperature.
Keep the room reasonably ventilated, but avoid strong drafts, excessive heat, or other attempts to speed up the drying process.
Allow approximately 24 hours for the adhesive to dry, or follow the drying time recommended by the adhesive manufacturer.
Important
Installation requirements can vary depending on the wallpaper material, primer, adhesive, and wall surface.
Always follow the specifications and installation instructions provided for the particular mural material you purchased. The primer and adhesive used must be appropriate for that wallpaper material and compatible with each other.
If you are unsure about wall preparation, primer selection, adhesive selection, or installation, we recommend consulting an experienced professional wallpaper installer before beginning the project.