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

Our regular wallpapers are non-woven, paste-the-wall wallpapers designed for easy installation.

The wallpaper is dimensionally stable and does not need to be soaked before installation. Adhesive is applied directly to the prepared wall, and the dry wallpaper is installed edge-to-edge without overlapping.

For the best result, read the complete instructions before beginning.

Installing a wallpaper mural instead? Please see our How to Install Standard Material Murals guide for mural-specific instructions.

🔍 Check Your Wallpaper Before Installation

Before cutting or installing your wallpaper, check all rolls carefully.

Make sure:

✓ You received the correct design and color
✓ You received the correct number of rolls
✓ All rolls being installed together have the same batch number
✓ There are no visible printing or manufacturing defects
✓ You have checked the pattern repeat and pattern match

The batch number is important because slight color variations can occur between different production batches.

The pattern repeat and pattern match determine how adjoining strips should be positioned. You can find this information on the roll label and in the Specifications section of the product page.

⚠️ If anything appears incorrect or defective, do not cut or install the wallpaper. Contact Scandinavian Wallpaper before proceeding.

🧱 Prepare Your Wall

Proper wall preparation is essential for a successful installation.

The wall should be:

✓ Smooth
✓ Clean
✓ Dry
✓ Sound and stable

Remove old wallpaper, loose or flaking paint, dust, and dirt. Fill holes, cracks, and uneven areas and sand the surface smooth.

Walls with noticeable texture may require additional preparation, such as skim coating or wallpaper liner, before installation.

For dry, porous, newly plastered, patched, or skim-coated walls, apply an appropriate wallpaper primer before installation.

The primer and adhesive must be suitable for non-woven wallpaper and compatible with each other. Allow the primer to dry completely before wallpapering.

🧰 Recommended Tools

Before you begin, have the following ready:

✓ Wallpaper adhesive suitable for non-woven wallpaper
✓ Wallpaper primer, if required
✓ Roller and paint tray
✓ Paintbrush
✓ Spirit level, laser level, or plumb line
✓ Steel ruler or straightedge
✓ Sharp wallpaper knife
✓ Pencil
✓ Wallpaper smoothing tool or wallpaper brush
✓ Clean, soft sponge or cloth
✓ Clean water

Tip: Keep several fresh knife blades available. A sharp blade is essential for making clean cuts.

Installing Your Wallpaper

1. 📏 Establish a Straight Starting Line

The first strip must be perfectly vertical.

Do not assume that the wall or corner is straight.

Measure approximately one wallpaper width from your starting point and use a spirit level, laser level, or plumb line to establish a perfectly vertical guideline.

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

2. 🖌️ Apply Adhesive Along the Edges

Our non-woven wallpapers are installed using the paste-the-wall method.

There is no need to paste or soak the wallpaper before installation.

Use a brush to apply adhesive along the:

✓ Ceiling line
✓ Baseboard or skirting board
✓ Corners
✓ Areas that are difficult to reach with a roller

Use an adhesive suitable for non-woven, paste-the-wall wallpaper.

3. 🎨 Roll Adhesive Onto the Wall

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

Make sure the entire area is covered, especially where the edges of the wallpaper strips will meet.

Work with approximately one to one-and-a-half strip widths at a time so the adhesive does not begin to dry before the wallpaper is installed.

4. ① Hang the First Strip

Position the first strip against the pasted wall and carefully align it with your vertical guideline.

Leave a small amount of excess wallpaper at the ceiling and floor for trimming.

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

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

5. ↔️ Smooth the Wallpaper

Using a clean wallpaper smoothing tool or wallpaper brush, gently smooth the wallpaper from the center outward toward the edges.

Work from top to bottom to remove trapped air and ensure good contact with the adhesive.

Do not stretch the wallpaper or use excessive pressure.

Keep your smoothing tool clean throughout the installation.

6. ✂️ Trim the Top & Bottom

Carefully press the wallpaper into the edges along the ceiling and baseboard.

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

Change the blade frequently. A dull blade can tear or pull wet wallpaper rather than cutting it cleanly.

7. 🧩 Match & Hang the Next Strip

Apply adhesive to the next section of wall and position the following strip edge-to-edge without overlapping.

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

Check the pattern repeat and pattern match in the Specifications section of the product page or on the roll label.

Depending on the design, the wallpaper may have:

✓ Straight match – the pattern aligns at the same height
✓ Offset/Half-drop match – adjoining strips are offset
✓ No pattern match – strips do not require pattern alignment

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

8. 💧 Remove Excess Adhesive

If adhesive gets onto the wallpaper surface, remove it immediately before it dries.

Use a clean, damp, well-wrung sponge or soft cloth and gently wipe the affected area.

Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently so you remove the adhesive rather than spread it across the wallpaper.

Do not scrub or soak the wallpaper.

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

9. 🕐 Allow the Wallpaper to Dry

Allow the wallpaper 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.

Once dry, check the seams and edges to make sure everything is securely adhered.

⚠️ Important

Always check the Specifications section of the product page and the wallpaper roll label before installation.

Pay particular attention to:

✓ Roll width and length
✓ Pattern repeat
✓ Pattern match
✓ Batch number
✓ Wallpaper material
✓ Recommended installation method

The primer and adhesive must be suitable for the wallpaper material and compatible with each other.

If you are unsure about wall preparation, pattern matching, primer selection, adhesive selection, or installation, we recommend consulting an experienced professional wallpaper installer before beginning the project.

Keep all roll labels and packaging until the wallpaper has been inspected and the installation is complete.

📐 How Many Rolls Do I Need?

Use the Roll Calculator on the product page to estimate the number of rolls required for your project.

The calculator takes the wallpaper dimensions and pattern repeat into consideration, but always check the Specifications section for the exact roll size, pattern repeat, and pattern match before ordering.