HOW TO | Hang Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper

Time: 1 hour per roll | Tools Needed: Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper, Size, Paste, Brushes, Wallpaper Smoother, Sharp Knife, Large Ruler, Sponges all from Guthrie Bowron. Drop Sheet, Stringline (or plumb-line), Bucket, Stirrer, Ladder, Scissors.

Step 1: Ensure you have prepared your walls for wallpaper, for more advice on this process read Wall Surface Preparation - for Wallpaper.  Make sure you seek advice from your local Guthrie Bowron store to find out what preparation is required for your walls.

Step 2: Apply size to the wall/s you are about to wallpaper. Follow the instructions to mix the size and then apply to the wall with a wallpaper paste brush. The size will make it much easier to position the wallpaper when it is time to start hanging. You can hang the wallpaper as soon as the surface is fully dry.

Step 3: Make a plumb line - a straight line from ceiling to floor, it will ensure that even if your ceilings or floors are not level, the wallpaper will still be straight. Always hang your first strip of paper next to a plumb line.

Step 4: Create your wallpaper paste as per the instructions. Paste the section of the wall you are about to hang the wallpaper on. Allow some overlap by pasting slightly more of the wall than just the width of wallpaper.

Step 5: With assistance unroll your first length, slide the wallpaper into place and check the pattern match. Do not rush this process. Smooth the wallpaper with a wallpaper smoother and ensure the wallpaper is fully fastened to the wall. Leave a generous amount of overhang on both the top and bottom for movement that may be needed to match each wallpaper length.

Step 6: Repeat this process for the entire length for your wall/s taking time to ensure the ends match perfectly. Using a wallpaper smoother or damp sponge, lightly brush out any air bubbles starting from the centre and working toward the ends. If you have any excess paste, it is easily removed with a warm damp sponge or cloth.

Step 7: Finally trim the wallpaper overhang by holding a large ruler next to your trim and/or wall corner and steadily move a sharp knife along it, removing the excess wallpaper slowly.

Step 8: Enjoy the minimal clean up and the stunning design impact of your new wallpaper!

To find the latest range of designer wallpapers visit for local Guthrie Bowron store or their online catalogue.