Wallpaper Border

Hanging Wallpaper Border Just Requires Planning

Planning ahead before tackling your wallpaper border will make all the difference. Purchasing the correct amount of border, gathering the tools, and having a helping hand will help you get that professional look you want.

Some of the things you may need are: Measuring Tape, Ladder, Work Table and/or Cutting Board, Bowl or Paint Tray to hold Water, Sponge, Adhesive Paste or Activator, Scissors or Utility Knife, Ruler and a Level, Chalk line or laser, Seam Roller, A Soft Rag, Push Pin and of course your Wallpaper Border.

Step 1
Always remember the saying: "measure twice and cut once." Plan for the amount of paper you will need and allow an extra 2 to 4 feet for pattern matching on each wall. Overestimate your paper needs.

Step 2
If you are planning for the border to be below ceiling height, you will need to measure the distance you want and use a line to indicate where the top of the paper will be. A chalk line may be used or a laser will help keep you at the right height.

Step 3
Start the border in a corner or less visible location where any pattern mismatch will not be too obvious (a corner or behind a door). Roll out the border the length of the wall allowing about 1" extra on both ends (to aid in pattern matching). Mark the paper and using a straight edge cut a very straight line. Remember measure twice and cut once!

Step 4
Depending on the type of paper you have, it is time to prepare the paper for hanging. Pre-Pasted Paper: Roll up the cut length of border glue side out and place in the water with the outside/pattern of the roll in your fingers. Immediately begin slowly unrolling the paper so that it all gets wet. Let it drip a few seconds and then fold it over on itself. Be sure to match the edges. Non-Pasted Paper: Apply paste or activator to the border and gently fold it accordion style for easy handling while hanging. Be careful not to crease the border, as the creases will show afterward. The paper will be easier to hang if it is allowed to rest a few minutes to relax it.

Step 5
With your step ladder in place, begin hanging the border starting at the corner leaving about 1" or less wrapped around the corner. Using a damp sponge smooth out air bubbles as you go. Have someone hold the extra border or use a push pin to hold the paper as you place the border on the wall. You should be able to gently push the border into just the right spot.

Step 6
Hang the second strip of border and carefully match your pattern and seam. Start with about 2" of overlap and cut through both pieces of border using a straight edge as a guide. Carefully peel off the extra material and use a seam roller to smooth out the seam. If you are able to go from corner to corner, look at the pattern of the applied border and find the pattern match on the new roll. Mark and cut with a straight edge so that the pattern matches in the corner.

Step 7
Continue around the room carefully matching the pattern and creating a seamless look. If you need to deal with an inside corner, overlap the first strip by 1 to 2", and use a quality white glue or vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive to prevent the overlap from coming apart as your house shifts over time. Simply wrap the border around outside corners. Overlap the new strip over the old strip as needed in the last corner in order to hide the final seam.

Step 8
Your wallpaper border should be dry in 24 hours. Now sit back and enjoy the fruit of your labor.