Wallpapering

first78

Okay, I have never wallpapered anything but I've got my house on the market and the best way of hiding some of the flaws in my living room is going to be to wallpaper the walls and the ceiling.

I want to do this as cheaply as possible and am tempted by attempting to paper it myself. Can anyone advise me if this would be a really bad idea and whether I should just pay someone to come in and do it, or if it's a fairly straightforward job can anyone advise me of the best paper to use, what tools I'd need etc. Thanks!!

Welsh_Totster

dunno about ceilings but if you're doing walls and are a total novice (like me) then I highly recommend "paste the wall" paper, its dead easy to hang and no fuss!

first78

Thanks for the tip!! Do I need to treat the wall with anything before I paper?

dori2o

first78 wrote: »

Thanks for the tip!! Do I need to treat the wall with anything before I paper?

You need to make sure the walls are clean, so lightly soapy water, or sugar soap and scrub the walls first.

I've never been a believer in paste the wall wallpaper as with normal wallpaper you have to let the paper soak the paste in after it has been applied paste for 5-10 minutes (or as per the manufacturers instructions) this is to prevent the paper from shrinking when it's on the wall, and therefore reducing the chance of seams splitting.

Get yourself a decent paste as well, don't go for the cheap stuff at the pound shop, or the DIY stores own brand, get Solvite or similar named product.

Read the instructions on the back of the paste packet, it may seem a little trivial, but if you mix the paste too thinly then it won't stick the paper to the wall/ceiling. Personally I always mix paste per the instructions on the back so it is suitable for Anaglypta, no matter what paper I am putting up. This creates the thickest, and IMHO stickiest paste.

Welsh_Totster

I agree with the sentiment of buying good quality paste and mix to instructions. Just make sure the walls are clean and paste the stuff on the wall and hang the paper from the roll. Paste the wall wallpaper is made not to shrink, unlike traditional paper. I've managed to do 2 bedrooms and hall stairs and landing with paste the wall paper and it really looks good.

jackieglasgow

As an experienced amateur wallpaper(er)/hanger, I have to say that I used paste the wall paper a few weeks ago for the first time, then the next day used traditional paper in another room, to me there isn't that much difference to be honest, but for a novice / beginner the paste the wall stuff would be better as the trimming etc is easier with the "dry" paper. Good luck!

diable

Are you going to remove the wallpaper thats already on the wall as that is a job and a half as you may uncover more issues, you can buy ready mixed paste and if you have problem walls them 1000 lining paper is your friend then paint it.

keystone

The main problem with really fresh decorations in a house thats just on the market is the inevitable and not often openly asked question "What is the vendor covering up and what else have they covered up that I haven't yet found or seen?" It can be very counterproductive to a sale.

Cheers

McKneff

Why not just put good quality lining paper on and then emulsion in a neutral colour.

Lining paper is far cheaper than wallpaper (as long as you use at least 1200 paper.)

savemoney

I just done my bathroom with wallpaper

First I strip walls/ceiling I hate papered ceilings

Went over with polyfilla and use a small trowel sand down when dry or use a similar product to fill holes, sand down any bumps you get a few in a old building, I got a few myself

Clean walls with sugar soap or often lightly sand down and also and paint surfaces

Apply good quality paint to door frames/door

I got some cheap wilkos blown vinyl at around £6 hides small indentions and papered allow to dry and apply emulsion paint of suitable colour and matt/sink/satin etc

I reckon you could do a reasonable size room for around £50 - £70 with wallpaper, paste, paint etc

Oh almost forgot to do ceiling with matt emulsion I like to do whole room when I do a room as often things stand out when its not been done for a while