Have you ever wondered how to install peel and stick wallpaper? These peel and stick options are great for any DIY-er wanting to add some character to their space. Also, check out the video below to learn my step by step on how to install wallpaper.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Check out these super cute and affordable wallpaper options I’ve gathered for you guys. If you’re looking to do a fun accent wall in any space in your home, these options are great.
How to Install Peel and Stick Wallpaper – VIDEO
1 – Measure Wall Length and Cut the First Piece
First, I like to measure the length of the wall, so I know how long to cut my first piece. Since this is the first piece, you don’t have any pattern to match it up to. This will be the easiest piece to cut and install, so enjoy that. 😉
2 – Peel Off 4-6″ of Backing
I like to peel back just about 6″ of the backing, so the adhesive part is just at the top. It’s easier to handle the paper when only part of it is sticky.
3 – Position Paper & Remove Rest of Backing
Once I have the 6″ of backing peeled off, I go ahead and position the paper on the wall, and slowly peel the rest of the backing off and I continue to position the paper and smooth it out.
4- Smooth Wallpaper
While some use a tool to smooth wallpaper, I just use my hands. I find it effective and it seems to work well. Once the wallpaper is on the wall, there might be wrinkles or bubbles. In order to fix these, I typically pull sections of the paper up off the wall and re-adjust it until it lays smooth. The beautiful thing about peel and stick wallpaper is that you can pull it off and adjust it as much as you need, really. It’s very forgiving.
5 – Match up the Next Piece
This next step, before you cut the next piece, you need to make sure your pattern will line up. With this wallpaper, I will say, the pattern was big and spread out, which meant I had quite a bit of waste. Much more waste than I would have had with a smaller pattern that was closer together. This step you’ll continue to repeat until you finish the space.
6 – Trim off Excess Wallpaper
This is usually the step I save for last. I take my sharp utility knife and angle the blade parallel with the wallpaper, at the bottom/top, where I want it to end.
And that’s it! Just be sure it’s all smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions…
Do I need wallpaper paste for peel and stick wallpaper?
No, you don’t. Peel and stick wallpaper is super easy in that it has a backing, and when you peel the backing off it is sticky (basically like a large sticker). No paste needed!
Do I need experience?
I say no. Do you need patience? Yes. Most peel and stick wallpapers are very forgiving, you just have to be patient and continue to re-adjust until you’ve got it right.
What tools do I need?
I like to have a tape measure, utility knife (sharp, fresh blade ideally), level (for the first strip), scissors to cut the pieces to size, a pen to mark the backside of the paper.
How do I fix bubbles?
I like to pull the paper off the wall and re-adjust until it’s smooth. If there are bubbles, I typically peel the paper back to the furthest bubble and re-adhere the paper, making sure to smooth it along the way.
How long does it take?
This really depends on the project size and pattern type. I once did a plaid wallpaper and it took a long time, mostly because the pattern didn’t like up perfectly.
How much do I need to order?
The specific paper that you are ordering should have a guide on how much to order, based on the pattern size and repeat. I didn’t order enough for this bathroom, because I didn’t realize how much waste I’d have with a larger, more spread out pattern.
What happens if a corner starts peeling?
If this happens, I would just get a little bit of wallpaper seem paste from the store and put a few dots in the corner to keep it in place.
What if my walls are textured?
This hasn’t been an issue for me, in that my wallpaper sticks fine. I will say the wallpaper looks better in the end if you have smooth walls. For this project I actually re-textured my walls to give it all a better look in the end. That step isn’t necessary, but will definitely give a smoother look.
If You Liked This Post, You Might Also Like…
Peel and Stick Wallpaper Backsplash
Pin for Later
Thanks for reading on how to install peel and stick wallpaper. Pin this to your Pinterest for later! We appreciate you being here 🙂
Leave a Reply