Peel and stick wallpaper is hot news on social media right now and it’s easy to see why. Also known as removable wallpaper, self-adhesive wallpaper, and temporary wallpaper (and a whole host of brand names), this versatile paper is a hit with chain decorators, renters, and commitment phobia.
The main USP advantage of wallpapering with peel-and-stick wallpaper is that it can be easily removed, without damaging the walls behind. Forget hours of removing wallpaper, and drudgery over a steam peeler, too. This innovative wallpaper features a special pre-applied adhesive that is designed to adhere firmly to walls when needed and clean when it’s time for a change.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper allows renters to make the space feel like their own while removing it at a later time. It’s perfect for homeowners too. If you like to change your home decor frequently, this might be the right choice for you, says Sidney MacIntyre, co-founder of Anewall.
Another advantage of peel and stick wallpaper is that it is very easy to clean. If the wallpaper will be in an area with high traffic, especially with children around, then this is a great option. Simply wipe it with a cloth and water!
With care, many Peel and Stick wallpapers can also be reused over and over again, making them the perfect sustainable product for treating walls to enhance the pattern. moving house? Take wallpaper ideas with you, or perhaps give them to a friend who likes the design.
How to apply peel and stick wallpaper
(Image credit: paper hunt)
Applying peel and stick wallpaper is similar to hanging plain wallpaper in many ways. As you might expect, the main difference is in the way you stick the paper to the wall, which we explain in more detail in the quick step-by-step guide below.
It’s important to note that not all peel and stick wallpapers are designed to be attached the same way, especially when it comes to wall setting. Always check the individual installation guides before starting.
1. Prepare the walls
Depending on the type of adhesive used, some peel and stick wallpaper may require you to apply a coat of glossy or satin paint to the walls before hanging them. If you rent and that isn’t an option, or you just don’t want to fuss, look for peel-and-stick wallpaper designed to work on any smooth surface.
“Recently painted or painted walls should be allowed to dry for at least 30 days before installation,” advises Kerry Maguire King, Senior Director of Process Innovation, Textiles & Wallpaper, Spoonflower. “We also recommend against using peel and stick wallpaper on walls with washable or scrub-able paint, or without VOC coating, as it may not allow the wallpaper to adhere adequately to the wall.”
2. Select your starting point
As with any wallpapering project, it is essential that the first painting begins on a straight vertical line. “It’s tempting to line the top of your wallpaper along the ceiling, but keep in mind that ceilings aren’t always perfectly straight, says Greg Allgeyer, online merchant of HD Home at The Home Depot.
Alternatively, use a connecting tube or laser level to find the correct vertical line to follow. You can also draw a line on the wall or use low sticky tape to create a line, but you should use some form of spirit level to make sure it’s perpendicular.
“If you’re wallpapering all four, the final painting may not align with the first as smoothly,” says Keri of Spoonflower. To reduce visual separation, hang the first panel at an inconspicuous point in the room, such as behind an open door or a taller piece of furniture.
3. Cut to size
Next, trim the first board to the full height of the wall you’re covering, allowing about four to five inches for trimming from the top and bottom.
4. Start sticking
Peel about 10 inches of backing paper, begin to align the top of the paper with the vertical line, and gently press the sticky section against the wall. Be sure to leave a good few inches at the top for trimming. Use a squeegee to smooth out any bubbles.
Once you are satisfied with the alignment, gradually remove another 10 to 15 inches of the backing paper, pulling the wallpaper slightly away from the wall as you work down.
Continue removing the backing paper in this manner, 10 to 15 inches at a time, working on any air gaps as you go until you reach the ground.
Smooth it out with your hands or with something straight like wallpaper that is smoother. Elizabeth Reese, founder of Chasing Paper, adds, if you still have an air bubble, simply prick it with a small pin to release the air.
5. Top and Tail
Trim off the excess wallpaper at the top and bottom using a sharp blade – it’s easy to keep the extra blades sharp as you work – and a metal edging tool or ruler in the same way you would with regular wallpaper. Press firmly on the edges and edges to ensure that the adhesive adheres properly to the walls.
6. and repeat
Repeat steps three through six until the area you want is covered with paper. Be sure to pin the wallpaper roll to the previous panel to find a pattern match before cutting the next piece. Some peel and stick wallpaper suppliers recommend overlapping subsequent panels by about an inch to avoid unsightly gaps between panels.
Is peel and stick wallpaper easy to hang?
If you can hang plain wallpaper, you should find hanging peel and stick wallpaper easily. Some people have trouble dealing with large sheets of stretched wallpaper while removing the backing paper, especially those with high ceilings.
It is possible to install peel and stick wallpaper yourself, but the task is much faster and easier with two people. One person can lift the tape and smooth it against the wall while the other peels off the covering and ensures the lines are straight, says Greg Allgear, online dealer for HD home at Home Depot.
Interior designer, Erin Gunter of Gunter & Co. adds, “Adhesive wallpaper can be difficult to manage in large spaces, try practicing on the back of bookshelves or a small space like a restroom before tackling an entire room.”
One of the greatest peel and stick benefits of wallpaper is that it can be repositioned if you miss a repeat of the pattern or fail to smooth out major wrinkles. Pull it gently and try again. To adjust, slowly peel the paper off the wall and reposition it as necessary. The paper graphic is dimensionally stable but pulling too hard may stretch the wallpaper slightly and affect a smooth installation,” Keri McGuire King, Senior Director of Process Innovation, Textiles & Wallpaper, Spoonflower.
Can peel and stick wallpaper be reused?
It depends on the product but there are many peel and stick wallpapers available that are specifically designed to be used over and over again. “The key to a successful wallpaper transfer is not to handle it too much, so it doesn’t lose too much of its tack,” says Elizabeth Reese, founder of Chasing Paper.
Once you have gently removed a sheet of peel-and-stick paper, lay it flat on a clean, dry surface—glue side up—and cover with two overlapping strips of parchment paper from the roll. Then simply lay each plate covered on top of each other and roll gently, securing with a loose piece of tape or tape, until you are ready to use them again.
Can I use peel and stick wallpaper on any surface?
Peel and stick wallpaper is designed to stick to most smooth surfaces; Some even work on glass, wood panels, and furniture. Peel and stick paper is not recommended over the top of an existing wallpaper, in part because old paper can often peel off and the pattern or color may show through.
“In general, textured walls make it difficult to peel and stick wallpaper properly,” says Elizabeth Reese, founder of Chasing Paper. A light textured wall might be ok. We recommend ordering a large sample piece to test adhesion and determine if you are satisfied with any visible texture coming through. If the sample piece falls off the wall or bubbles or crusts appear at the edges, this is a lost cause.
Greg Allgeyer, Online Dealer of HD Home at The Home Depot, adds: “For a fun accent, there are also peel and stick wallpaper borders that extend along the edges of your walls.”
