How To Apply Peel and Stick Wallpaper

If you’re looking for a quick DIY upgrade for your home, there are few things that are as easy and transformative as peel and stick wallpaper.

Available in a variety of patterns and colors, removable wallpaper can add a fun pop of color and personality to any room, but can be easily removed later, making it perfect for renters!

In this guide, we’ll give you the most helpful tips and tricks for how to apply peel and stick wallpaper yourself.

How To Apply Peel and Stick Wallpaper

As with any home improvement project, it’s important to do the job correctly so the end result looks professional. How your living space looks can have a direct impact on your motivation and your mood, so don’t rush through these steps and don’t take any shortcuts.

(Bonus: You’ll feel completely unstoppable after you’re done!)

Planning

When it comes to wallpaper, consider more than your room’s color palette. The size and type of your room will help dictate what wallpaper to buy.

For example, paper or fabric removable wallpaper may work fine in a living room, but in a humid area—such as a bathroom—vinyl wallpaper works best.

Before you order your wallpaper, measure the width and height of the wall and compare this with the size of the wallpaper sheets. With any wallpaper, it’s a good idea to order an extra roll or two to account for mistakes as well as give you some wiggle room when it comes to pattern matching.

Preparation

Before you hang peel and stick wallpaper, ensure the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Repair any holes, cracks, or imperfections first for a smooth finish.

If your walls have a very matte finish, you may want to paint them first with an eggshell or semi gloss paint so that the wallpaper will not damage the walls when you remove it. (Wait about a month after painting before you apply the wallpaper.)

Wipe the walls with a damp sponge or cloth to remove dust and debris. Allow the surface to dry completely before applying the wallpaper.

Application

Start off by creating a level, straight line (either vertically or horizontally) on your wall. Don’t assume that your ceiling or walls have a straight edge to them, either! Most don’t, and no one wants crooked wallpaper. Laser levels are a great one-step option, but you can also draw a pencil line using a regular level.

Starting at the top of the wall, peel back a few inches of the paper backing. Line up your wallpaper with the straight edge you created, smoothing out the wallpaper to avoid air bubbles and wrinkles. You can use a smoothing tool if you like, but your hands work fine, too!

If you make a mistake, don’t sweat it. That’s the beauty of peel and stick wallpaper! Simply peel that part up and start again.

Once you have finished, remove any excess wallpaper with a utility knife.

Important Tips and Tricks

Despite its easy application process, many people are still intimidated by peel and stick wallpaper. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make your job easier.

• To remove creases, aim a hair dryer on the low setting on the fold while applying slight tension.
• Don’t forget to remove and cut around any fixtures or outlets as you go. You don’t have to be super precise though. Your outlet cover will hide any rough edges!
• If you don’t need the full panel width to cover a certain area, cut strips of wallpaper to the size that you need first. This will make application much easier.
• Use a smoothing tool around edges and corners for proper adhesion.
• Peel and stick wallpaper can be reused! However, it may not adhere as well if it collects dust and debris on the back. If you plan on reusing it, hang on to the paper backing so you can keep the adhesive clean.

Post-Application Care

Caring for vinyl peel and stick wallpaper is easy. Simply wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove stains and dust. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing too hard, as this can damage the wallpaper.

When it’s time to remove it, simply peel your wallpaper off slowly and steadily, one strip at a time.

You Did It!

As with any DIY project, applying peel and stick wallpaper will not only add some personality into your living space, it might just give you the confidence to tackle more jobs around the home!

Infuse Daily Beauty and Inspiration with Girl Power 24/7

At Girl Power 24/7, we are dedicated to giving you the confidence and inspiration to change your life for the better—whatever “better” means to you!

Our peel and stick wallpaper is specifically engineered to never leave any sticky residue or damage the walls, even over long periods of time. This is truly the easiest wallpaper you’ll ever hang and remove. No paste or water is needed—just peel, stick, and voila!