Wallpaper School

How to Hang Non-Woven, Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper

Hanging wallpaper may seem intimidating, but today's non-woven, paste-the-wall wallpaper makes installation much easier than traditional wallpaper.

All of our regular wallpapers are EasyUp, which means the wallpaper is dimensionally stable and does not need to be soaked before installation. Instead, wallpaper adhesive is applied directly to the wall and the dry wallpaper is hung edge to edge.

With careful preparation and the right tools, you can achieve a beautiful, professional-looking result yourself.

Below is our simple eight-step guide to installing EasyUp wallpaper.

Installing a wallpaper mural instead? Our murals use a different installation process. Please see our How to Install Standard Material Murals guide for mural-specific instructions.

Before You Begin

Before opening and installing your wallpaper, check that you have received the correct design, color, quantity, and batch numbers.

All rolls being installed next to each other should have the same batch number to ensure the best possible color match.

Also check the product specifications and roll label for the pattern repeat and pattern match, as these will determine how adjoining strips should be aligned.

Inspect the wallpaper for any visible defects before cutting or installation. If you notice a problem, stop and contact us before proceeding.

Step 1 – Prepare the Wall and Measure

Good wall preparation is one of the most important steps for a successful wallpaper installation.

The wall should be clean, dry, smooth, and free from dust or loose material. Fill holes and imperfections and sand them smooth before beginning.

If your walls have noticeable texture, additional preparation such as skim coating or wallpaper liner may be necessary to create a sufficiently smooth surface.

Newly skim-coated, patched, or very dry and porous walls should be primed before wallpaper installation. An unprimed porous surface can absorb moisture from the wallpaper adhesive too quickly, which may reduce adhesion and make installation more difficult.

Use a wallpaper primer and adhesive suitable for the specific material of the wallpaper you are installing. The primer must also be compatible with the adhesive being used. Always check the wallpaper specifications and follow the primer and adhesive manufacturers’ instructions for application, compatibility, and drying time. The primer should be completely dry before wallpaper installation begins.

Previously painted walls should also be clean and properly prepared. Any loose or flaking paint should be removed and repaired before wallpapering.

It is essential that your first strip is perfectly vertical. Use a spirit level or laser level to mark a vertical plumb line approximately one wallpaper width from your starting point.

Most of our regular wallpapers are approximately 21 inches (53 cm) wide, but roll dimensions can vary. Check the Specifications section of the product page for the exact width of your wallpaper before measuring.

Tip: Don’t assume that walls or corners are perfectly straight. Always use a level for your first strip.

Step 2 – Apply Wallpaper Adhesive Along the Edges

EasyUp wallpaper is installed using the paste-the-wall method, so there is no need to apply adhesive to the wallpaper or soak the strips before hanging.

Use an adhesive specifically designed for non-woven or paste-the-wall wallpaper.

Start by using a brush to apply adhesive along the ceiling, baseboard or skirting board, corners, and other areas that may be difficult to reach with a roller.

If adhesive gets onto painted trim or other washable surfaces, wipe it away promptly with a clean, damp cloth.

Step 3 – Roll Adhesive Onto the Wall

Use a paint roller to apply an even layer of wallpaper adhesive directly to the wall.

Make sure the entire area is covered evenly, including the edges.

Work with approximately one to one-and-a-half strip widths at a time rather than applying adhesive to the entire wall at once. This prevents the adhesive from beginning to dry before the wallpaper is hung.

The adhesive should provide complete, even coverage without being excessively thick or dripping.

Step 4 – Hang the First Strip

Place the wallpaper roll on a clean, dry surface or use a wallpaper roll holder.

Pull the wallpaper up toward the ceiling and position the first strip along the vertical plumb line you created in Step 1.

Leave a small amount of excess wallpaper at the top and bottom for trimming.

Before pressing the entire strip firmly into place, check again that it is perfectly vertical.

Once correctly positioned, gently press the wallpaper against the pasted wall.

Step 5 – Smooth the Wallpaper

Using a clean wallpaper smoothing tool, gently smooth the wallpaper from the center outward.

Work upward, downward, and toward the edges to remove trapped air and ensure that the wallpaper has good contact with the adhesive.

Avoid excessive pressure or aggressive rubbing, which can damage the surface of the wallpaper.

Wipe your smoothing tool regularly so that adhesive does not transfer onto the face of the wallpaper.

Step 6 – Trim the Top and Bottom

Once the strip is positioned correctly, press the wallpaper carefully into the edges along the ceiling and baseboard.

Trim the excess wallpaper using a sharp wallpaper knife and a straightedge or wallpaper trimming tool.

A sharp blade is important. Dull blades can tear wet wallpaper rather than producing a clean cut.

Tip: Change your blade frequently during installation for the cleanest possible edges.

Step 7 – Match and Hang the Next Strip

Apply adhesive for the next section and position the following strip edge to edge with the previous strip. Do not overlap the strips.

If your wallpaper has a pattern, carefully align the design before smoothing the strip into place.

The required pattern match and pattern repeat can be found in the Specifications section of the product page and on the wallpaper roll label.

Depending on the design, your wallpaper may have a straight match, offset/half-drop match, or no pattern match.

Continue hanging one strip at a time, checking the pattern and seams as you work.

Step 8 – Remove Excess Adhesive

Any wallpaper adhesive that gets onto the surface of the wallpaper should be removed promptly before it dries.

Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth and gently wipe the surface. Rinse your sponge or cloth frequently so that you are removing the adhesive rather than spreading it across the wallpaper.

Be sure to wring out excess water before wiping.

Our wallpapers are washable, but do not scrub the wallpaper or soak the surface, as excessive rubbing or water may damage the finish or cause color to rub off.

Pay particular attention to the seams, ceiling line, and baseboards where excess adhesive can collect.

After Installation

Allow the wallpaper to dry naturally at normal room temperature.

Avoid excessive heat, strong drafts, or trying to speed up the drying process, as uneven or rapid drying can affect the finished result.

Once the wallpaper has dried, check the seams and edges to make sure everything is securely adhered.

And then enjoy your newly transformed space!

Need Help?

If you're unsure about measurements, wallpaper quantities, pattern matching, wall preparation, or installation, we're happy to help.

You can also use the Roll Calculator on each product page to estimate how many rolls you need. Always check the Specifications section for the exact roll dimensions, pattern repeat, and pattern match of the wallpaper you are ordering.

For complex installations or walls requiring significant preparation, we recommend working with an experienced professional wallpaper installer.