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Dining room with modern wallpaper

Published on August 20, 2024

Do it yourself

How to Install Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Learn how to install peel and stick wallpaper in a few easy steps to refresh any room on a budget. It’s perfect for walls and many DIY projects! The best part? It’s removable and reusable. Follow our step-by-step guide for a list of required materials and detailed instructions.

Difficulty level: Intermediate
Duration: 2-5 hours
Before You Start
While wallpaper installation is a simple enough project, please note that the size and shape of the wall as well as the pattern of the selected wallpaper will both have an impact on the time and effort required to bring this project to life. Also, note that peel-and-stick wallpaper will not adhere to dirty or textured surfaces, and that you should allow newly painted surfaces to dry for at lease 4 weeks.
Material
Gentle cleanerPeel-and-stick wallpaper
Tools
PencilTape measureLevelUtility knifeStraight edge rulerScissorsPlastic smoother

Why Add Wallpaper to Your Decor?

Wallpaper is an easy and budget-friendly way to add personality and texture to any room. Back in the days, wallpapering a wall required glue, paste, water, and tons of elbow grease. Thankfully, a wide range of colours and designs are now available in an easy-to-install peel-and-stick format. And when you need a change, all you have to do is peel it off! Since it won’t leave residue or damage the walls, it’s an ideal choice for renters and temporary decor updates. Instantly refresh any room now!
SHOP PEEL-AND-STICK WALLPAPER

Designer Tip

Foliage and floral wallpaper are currently very popular because of the Biophilia trend. Textured neutral wallpaper is also popular as it plays on the same theme but delivers more discreet visual interest.

Woman measuring a wall

1
Calculate How Much Wallpaper You Need

  • 1.1Select the wall(s) you plan on decorating, then pick your wallpaper (making sure to note the coverage of one roll).
  • 1.2Measure the height and width of the wall.
  • 1.3Use this simple calculation: (Width x Height) ÷ Roll Coverage = Number of Rolls.
  • 1.4Round that number up.
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Pro Tip

Whether you are a wallpapering pro or novice, we recommend adding an extra roll to your estimate to make sure you have enough to cover any mistakes.

2
Prep Your Wall

  • 2.1Remove electrical outlets, wall fixtures, wall coverings, and past residue.
  • 2.2Clean the wall using a sponge and a gentle all-purpose cleaner.
  • 2.3Allow the wall to dry completely.

3
Add the Reference Lines

  • 3.1Beginning on the left side of the wall, measure out the width of the paper from the corner, then mark the wall lightly with a pencil.
  • 3.2Put the level on this mark and draw a straight vertical line.
  • 3.3Double-check that the line is level before you move on to the next step.
Person cutting a wallpaper roll

4
Measure and Cut the Wallpaper

  • 4.1Pre-cut strips to cover the height of the wall, making sure the pattern is aligned from strip to strip.
  • 4.2Number the back of each strip to keep your design in the correct order, if necessary.
  • 4.3Cut and trim the wallpaper with a utility knife.
Woman peeling the backing of a wallpaper strip

5
Peel and Position

  • 5.1Peel about 12” of the backing away from the paper.
  • 5.2Apply the paper to the top of the wall, making sure to allow a bit of excess to overlap the ceiling (this will be trimmed off later).
  • 5.3Align the right side of the strip to the reference line and lightly press the edge to the wall along the mark.
  • 5.4If needed, peel off and reposition.
Woman wallpapering a wallWoman wallpapering a wall

6
Unroll the Paper on the Wall

Working from top to bottom, slowly pull the backing away while evenly pressing the paper to the wall.
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Pro Tip

Make sure not to pull or stretch the material; this could cause the pattern to be unaligned. For best results, ask for help! While one person guides the paper at the top and along the seam, the other can hold the opposite edge away from the wall until the seams are lined up.

Woman smoothing a wallpaper stripPerson trimming wallpaper along baseboards

7
Push Out Any Air Bubbles

  • 7.1Smooth the material onto the wall and push out any air bubbles by working your way down the strip in a back-and-forth motion with a plastic smoother.
  • 7.2Using a straight edge ruler and a utility knife, trim off excess material along the ceiling and baseboard.

Disclaimer

These DIY projects are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in RONA’s DIYs is intended to provide general guidelines to simplify jobs around the house. Because tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, and local regulations are continually changing, RONA inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein and disclaims any liability for the omissions, errors, or outcome of any project. RONA inc. makes no representation on the feasibility of any project and the viewer bears all risks coming with the realization of the projects. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes, and regulations for a project. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project. If there is any doubt in regard to any element of a project, please consult a licensed professional. 

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