Whether you're refreshing an entire room or giving a small powder or closet space a new look, wallpaper is a quick and inexpensive way to make a dramatic change. Here are some tips for a successful project. 新潟市 リフォーム

There are many different kinds of wallpaper available. The most difficult is paper that has paste on it, which requires putting glue on the wall before applying the wallpaper.
1. Clean the Walls

Walls are one of the most visible surfaces in a room and they can make or break its style. Changing the way they look often requires loads of paint and remodeling work, but with a little bit of creativity you can transform them with wallpaper instead. Wallpaper adds texture and pattern to walls that just can’t be achieved with paint, and can also mask imperfections in plaster and drywall.

Before you get started on any new projects, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean the surfaces you’ll be working with. This will remove the years of living grime that accumulates on the surface and make your job much easier.

Warm soapy water usually works well for cleaning walls, but if the walls are really dirty you may need to use something more powerful like TSP (trisodium phosphate), a powder you can buy at big box hardware stores that dissolves in water. If you’re going to use this, be sure to follow the directions and wear gloves, as it can irritate skin.

During wallpaper installation it’s inevitable that you will spill some wallpaper paste on other surfaces, like ceilings and adjoining walls. Having a sponge ready to quickly wipe up these accidental spills will help you avoid having them dry on the walls and leave marks that can’t be removed.

If you are renting your home, or just don’t want to deal with the hassle of removing traditional wallpaper down the road, this tip can be a lifesaver. You can easily make most types of wallpaper removable by applying a layer of liquid wall primer to the surface before you start hanging it. This product has a built in dissolvent that breaks down glue without damaging the lining of the paper.
2. Prime the Walls

Before you can apply wallpaper, the wall needs to be primed. This makes the surface more even and helps the adhesive bond with the wall. This step is easy, but it’s essential for a successful project.

The best primer for this purpose is an oil-based product. Water-based paint will wet the wallpaper adhesive and cause it to come loose over time.

To prime, first clean the walls to get rid of dust and dirt that can cause problems with the adhesive. Then sand the surface to make it smooth. You can use a hand-held sander or a special long-handled sanding tool (60-grit). If you have large patches of damage that need fixing, a filler should be used to patch them up.

A primer also helps prepare the wall for painting over the wallpaper. It prevents the new paint from reacting with the wallpaper adhesive, which can cause it to bubble or peel. If you’re not sure whether to prime or paint over wallpaper, ask your local installers for advice.

Before priming, remove all hardware and electrical outlet covers from the wall. You may want to sand down bumps with a light grit sandpaper and fill holes or cracks with drywall compound or spackle.

After sanding and priming, it’s important to let the surfaces dry completely before applying wallpaper. This might take 24 hours. This step is crucial to ensuring that your wallpaper will last and look great. It’s also the perfect opportunity to make sure that your plumb line is straight. Getting it right will mean that your wallpaper will be straight, too. This will make it easier to match up patterns as you hang them.
3. Strip the Wallpaper

When it comes to wallpaper, people either love it or hate it. For those that don't love it, removing it is a time-consuming and messy process. But it's definitely doable and with the right tips, not nearly as complicated as it might seem.

To start the process, first test your wallpaper to see if it's strippable. To do this, try pulling at a seam or corner of the paper. If the paper pulls off easily without leaving a mark, then you're lucky enough to have peel and stick wallpaper. If not, you'll need to soak the wall with water or a stripper in order to loosen the glue that holds the paper to the walls.

If you choose to use a stripper, follow the instructions carefully and mix it with warm water according to the label. Spray the solution over the entire room and allow it to soak for several minutes before scraping. Once the paper is removed, you'll be left with a clean surface that can be prepped for paint or new wallpaper.

Another option for removing old wallpaper is to steam it. This is best for those with a plaster wall because it can handle the high amount of heat from the steamer, but drywall may be damaged by the prolonged contact with moisture. To steam a section of the wall, drape it with plastic and cover that with towels to absorb the water that will be coming down the walls. Then run the steamer over the wallpaper, making sure to stay close to the edges of the room and near any doors or windows. Once the wallpaper is wet, it'll be easier to remove with a scraper.
4. Apply the Wallpaper

Modern wallpaper comes in both paste-the-wall and peel and stick formats. Regardless of which type you choose, there are a few things you need to know about applying it. For starters, it’s important to let the paper unroll and stretch for a little bit before you start applying it. This will help it lay flat and reduce the risk of creases. It also helps to use a smoothing tool (we like this one, available at The Home Depot) along the wall as you’re going to apply it to help get rid of any bubbles and to make sure your paper is lying flat.

If you’re using a paste-the-wall product, it’s best to start on the highest wall and work your way down. This will help prevent any mistakes you might make while getting into your ‘wallpapering groove’. It’s also a good idea to choose an easy wall in terms of electrical outlets, switches and corners. This way, if you do happen to mess up your first strip or two, it won’t be as noticeable.

Professional decorators hang their lining paper horizontally (also known as crosslining). This prevents the seams of the lining and the seams of the wallpaper from being in the same place and gives a more polished, professional finish. It’s also easier to work around corners when you don’t have to worry about folding a sheet of wallpaper.

When you get to an outlet or switch, make sure it’s completely off, then cut an X over it to protect the inside and allow for a clean-looking strip when you’re finished. If you’re working on a very high ceiling, turn off the electricity and consider using a stepladder to work from.
5. Hang the Wallpaper

Before hanging the first strip of wallpaper, make sure your walls are ready for it. If you haven’t already, spackle and sand any holes in the walls and wipe them down. Using wall sealer (also known as wallpaper size) on the walls is also a good idea. It not only seals the walls, but it helps wallpaper adhere to the surface and smoothes out any bubbles and creases that may appear during application.

When applying the first strip, line up the top and bottom with a plumb line or level to help ensure the wallpaper is straight. This will be your guideline for lining up subsequent strips of wallpaper and creating a cohesive look on the wall. If possible, use a ladder to reach high areas to hang the wallpaper. Once the first strip is applied, use a plastic smoothing tool to flatten and remove any air bubbles in the paper and around electrical outlets and switches.

Work your way down the wall, smoothing and trimming any excess wallpaper along the bottom edge as you go. When you get to the end of the wall, add long pieces of double-stick tape on top of painter’s tape to hold your wallpaper in place.

As you work, remember to keep your eye on the pattern and try to match it as closely as possible. This will help ensure a professional finish and avoid any unwanted gaps or seams. Using the right tools and techniques will make this project a breeze, so don’t hesitate to tackle your DIY wallpaper renovation. And once you have, we’d love to see pictures of your finished room! Please share them with us on our Facebook page.