Putting wallpaper on the walls is one of the easiest and fastest ways to completely change the atmosphere and appearance of a room. Wallpaper comes in a wide variety of styles, textures, colors, and patterns. Here are some things you need to know to select and purchase the right wallpaper for the job.
First, you need to estimate how much wallpaper will be needed for the project at hand. So here’s a general formula to help you figure it out. First measure the height and width you need to cover. Then be sure to add an additional 10-15% to cover the waste. Once you have this number, you can divide it by the square footage rating of the paper you choose. That should give you the figure for how many rolls of wallpaper you will need.
It’s actually not a bad idea to add a few extra rolls as well, especially if you have a complex pattern that requires it. And besides, you may need to do repairs in the future anyway, so having an extra roll or two available can go a long way later.
One caveat to keep in mind regarding wallpaper is that due to the production process, rolls that may look similar in the store won’t always look that way when you hang them on the wall. That’s why wallpaper rolls come in what’s called dye lots that identify the rolls that really match. So make sure as you go through and select your wallpaper that you look for rolls that come from the same dye lot.
Most modern vinyl wallpapers already have paste on the back, so it’s just a matter of soaking it in water and hanging it on the wall. However, there are different types of papers that are available. Solid vinyl wallpapers are the most common of all these days as they are highly durable, washable and easy to hang. There are also other papers that are simply vinyl coated and therefore somewhat less durable but still good for most uses.
More expensive papers include embossed paper which has an embossed pattern and is also easy to hang. Some wallpapers are made from grass, and are especially useful for covering walls that have blemishes or are damaged.
Foil wallpaper is very expensive, although it can quickly brighten and change a small room if used correctly. Some also like to use fabric wallpaper, but keep in mind that it doesn’t clean up very well or easily, and can be extremely difficult to hang.
Generally speaking, most wallpaper hangers find that working clockwise around the room is best for right-handed people, and counter-clockwise works best for left-handed people. Where you start in the room is largely up to you, but try to select a major focal point to start with.
Selecting and hanging wallpaper is within the reach of most homeowners. So it’s one of those home improvement projects that almost anyone can do with a little determination and practice. So why not try it at home?
