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Wallpaper and feature photowall murals can transform the look and feel of any room.

Many different styles and designs are available featuring repeat patterns, graphic designs and full wall sized pictures.  The choice is only limited by your imagination.  Prices can range from around £10 per square metre from DIY retailers to over £250 per square metre for custom made designer products.

Preparatory Work

Before you start your wallpapering project it is good idea to consider wall preparation.

It is advisable to remove any old wallpaper by striping the walls to great the best smooth surface to work from.  A good quality PVA can be applied to porous plastered walls to seal the surface and prevent moisture transferring from the wall to the wallpaper.  For best results with freshly plastered walls, ensure that the surface has fully dried out.

You may also consider using lining paper if the wall surface is uneven.  You can achieve great finished results for very little additional cost.  The surface must be dry and clean.

If the wall varies a great deal in colour it should be painted to achieve the best possible result.

Recommended tools

Bucket to mix powder paste in, roller and tray, a paintbrush for where the roller doesn’t reach, a damp sponge or rag, a pen or pencil, a sharp craft knife, a spirit level or plumb bob, a steel rule or putty knife.

Mixing the powder paste – For non-woven paper

Pour the powder slowly into cold water while mixing well – the amount of water will be dictated by the amount of powder to be mixed – check the packet for more details.  Mix again after approximately 3 minutes.  Wait for a further 15 minutes and mix again before use.  One bag to 4 litres of water is sufficient for 20 – 24 m2.

If you use ready-mixed paste, use non-woven paste or paste with a dry content < 20 %.

Hanging

Check the wallpaper before hanging to ensure that no panels are missing, damaged or faulty.  For photowall murals the panels are numbered in the order in which they are to be hung.

It is important that the first panel is straight.  It is suggested making a plumb line a panel’s width in on the wall.  The first panel can then be hung along the line.

Apply the paste directly to the wall using a roller or a paintbrush.  It is important to apply paste to the whole surface.  Any spots without paste will result in blisters on the wallpaper.  Paste about the width of one section of wallpaper in advance and pay particular attention to pattern alignment.

Note: Avoid harsh folds as this may cause cracks in the wallpaper print.

The panels should be hung without any edges overlapping.  Slide the joints together carefully and avoid getting paste on the front of the wallpaperas it might show up when it dries.  Smooth down the wallpaper from ceiling to floor after each panel has been hung using your hands or a soft brush.  Start from the centre and smooth down towards the edges.  Try to remove as many bubbles as possible.  Any small bubbles and creases will disappear as the wallpaper dries.  Remove any spots of paste on the front of the wallpaper using a damp rag or sponge, but do not rub.

When all the panels have been hung, remove any excess paste.  Wait 24 hours to see the finished result.

Sit back and enjoy your new view!