So what is paste the wall wallpaper?

Paste the wall wallpaper is a new type of non-woven wallpaper that was created with the beginner home decorator in mind. You apply it "dry" or straight from the roll. It is easily installed by first applying the adhesive to the wall, and then sticking the wallpaper panels on top. If you want to wallpaper a room easily and quickly, this is the wallpaper for you!

What is the difference between paste the wall and traditional paste the paper wallpaper?

The main differences between paste the wall and traditional wallpaper are in construction and method of installation. Paste the wall wallpaper uses a special backing paper that doesn't expand when it gets wet. This makes the wallpaper stronger and easier to work with. Traditional wallpapers, on the other hand, need to be made wet/pasted first and require soaking time. This causes the paper to expand making it more susceptible to tearing.

In terms of installation, you don't need to soak paste the wall wallpaper so it takes much less time.

Do you need special paste for Paste the Wall wallpaper? 

Have I sufficiently convinced you that you can tackle a wallpaper project? Every time we have a wallpaper hanging project, I learn something new and our recent faux grasscloth wallpaper installation was no different.

Here's my best tips for applying paste the wall wallpaper:

1. Assemble all your tools before you start

• a roller cover to apply the paste evenly to the wall
• a paint tray or liner on which to rest your roller
• wallpaper adhesive
• a pasting brush to apply the adhesive into the corners
• a utility knife with new, sharp blades
• a rubber float or plastic scraper to help with smoothing out the wallpaper
• a large damp sponge to wipe off excess adhesive
• a level

2. Pick Where To Start Carefully

Where do you start to wallpaper a room? Some wallpaper tutorials will suggest that you start wallpapering in the middle of the wall and work your way outwards but really, you should start whatever works best for your situation. In this room, we determined that starting in the middle would require using 7 panels on this one wall (with half sheets at each corner), but starting at one corner would require using only 6 panels.

To make most efficient use of our wallpaper rolls and have less wastage, we chose to start in one corner. As always, we did overlap the corner by about 1". Most corners are not square so by overlapping the corner and cutting away the excess, you ensure that you cover the entire corner seam. Start by drawing a level line marking the outer edge of your first panel.

3. Apply the adhesive only one panel at a time

Once you've marked your level line, the next step is to apply the wallpaper paste or adhesive. Wallpaper adhesive can dry quickly so apply it only in the area you are currently working on. Ensure full even coverage by using a roller to apply the paste and use a brush to get into the corners. Hang up the panel and press against it with your hands, moving any air bubbles out to the side. Then, use a rubber float to gently but firmly secure the wallpaper against the wall. Resist moving the wallpaper too much as this may tear or stretch it and it won't up line up properly with your next piece.

4. Check to make sure your first panel is absolutely level

Apply your first panel and ensure that it is level all the way down the wall. Getting this first piece right is critical. Subsequent panels should butt up to but not overlap the preceding panel. Check your level every few panels to ensure you stay straight as you go across the wall.

Just a note on how to hang the first sheet of wallpaper: 

If you're right handed, work right to left along the wall. Leave yourself enough excess at the top and start adhering the first sheet at the top left corner at the ceiling line. Get the first 12" of the left side on the level line, then take your hand and smooth out the panel across towards the right. Work downwards about 12" at a time in the same manner: align the left side, and then smooth across. Don't try and align the left side all at once - this will just leave you frustrated!

5. Use a new sharp blade against a metal edge to cut away excess wallpaper

You should always cut your panels slightly longer than the height of your wall, and then cut away the excess. To get a clean cut, make sure your utility knife has a new sharp blade. Place an object with a crisp edge like a metal scraper against the wall and cut against it. Without lifting your blade, move the scraper along seam until all the extra paper has been cut away.

6. Clean excess adhesive thoroughly 

Paste the wall wallpapers are typically washable. Use a damp (not wet) sponge to wipe off excess adhesive from the sides and face of each panel. Clean your sponge between panels.

And that's it!

There's no down time in this process, you can just paste the wall, adhere the panel, and repeat. You'll find that once you get the hang of it (literally), your wallpaper installation will move quickly. Let me know if you try a paste the wall wallpaper project!