Top Tips - The most common problems when hanging wallpaper and how to avoid them.

Installing wallpaper yourself can be tempting, after all, how hard can it be? But hanging wallpaper is a delicate craft, a few missteps can lead to a disappointing result. In this post we have a look at the most common issues and how to avoid them for a smooth, successful finish.

Top Tip: Have your paper hang by a specialist

It is strongly recommended to hire a professional and experienced wallpaper installer to hang your wallpaper. While a contractor or painter may have handled wallpaper in the past, it's best to work with someone who specialises in wallpaper installation, someone with a proven track record and expertise that comes from completing hundreds of projects. This isn't just for our wallpaper, any wallpaper should be installed by an experienced wallpaper hanger.

To find a professional who is providing high-end wallcovering installation in your area you can check with The Wallcovering Installers Association (www.wallcoveringinstallers.org), or

for London you might also like to have a look at: Renovart (www.renovart.co.uk)

Hanging our Good & Craft Jungle Mural

It's a good idea to search for a professional before ordering your wallpaper, as they can advise on any necessary wall preparations and help calculate the correct amount of wallpaper needed. Which brings us to the most common problem:

Problem 1: Not Enough Wallpaper

Wallpapers are printed in batches and are often made to order. Regardless of which company you purchase wallpaper from, it is important to order all the rolls required at once to ensure they come from the same batch. This guarantees consistent colour alignment across all rolls, as slight variations can occur between batches due to manufacture.

When hanging wallpaper yourself or not seeking advice on roll quantities, it is a frequent issue that the amount of wallpaper rolls has been miscalculated. This often results in running out of wallpaper during installation. Not only does this delays the completion of the renovation but also risks the possibility that you won't be able to get additional rolls from the same batch.

Overestimating the number of wallpaper usually isn't a major issue as unopened rolls can often be returned when kept in their original sealed packaging. We're always happy to accept our Good & Craft wallpaper rolls back as long as they are unopened and purchased directly with us. But keep in mind that other companies don't always offer returns on wallpapers. It is therefore important to check the return policy of the store you purchase from.

Solution to running out of wallpaper:

The best solution is preventation. Always consult with a professional wallpaper installer before making your purchase. They can accurately assess the space and calculate the right number of rolls based on the room layout and pattern repeat. You can also ask the company you intend to buy wallpaper from to calculate the required estimate for you, but treat it as a guide as they haven't seen the room in person, therefore cross-check with the installer's calculation.

Make sure you keep information about the batch number aside until you have completed the room. This allows you to identify the batch in case you do run our of wallpaper. Contact the manufacturer or retailer immediately to check if the same batch is still available. In the event you realise that you haven't purchased enough wallpaper and all rolls are still in their original packaging, most companies probably are happy to exchange the rolls should your batch be sold out.

In cases where wallpaper is already unpacked or hanging on the walls, and getting additional rolls from the same print run is inpossible, avoid hanging two different batches directly next to each other on the same wall. If the previous batch and new one is hanged in the same room but on another wall, like on adjacent walls, any shift in colour between the batches should be insignificant. This means the different batches would then meet in a corner rather than in the middle of a wall and therefore minimise the visual impact of a different batch. If you run out of paper in the middle of the wall you would need to strip the wallpaper back to a corner. Also consider using remaining paper in smaller areas like alcoves or where you intend to place a large furniture like a wardrobe.

Problem 2: Poor Wall Preparation

Proper wall preparation is essential for a successful wallpaper installation. Whilst some might think that it is a good idea to cover up an unsightly wall with wallpaper, hanging wallpaper directly onto an old or damaged surface is not recommended. Cracks, holes and uneven textures can show through the paper and compromise the overall finish. A busy pattern may help disguise minor imperfection, but when hanging a less busy pattern or wallpapering a room that is prone to humidity the walls need to be perfectly smooth and well prepared.

Steps to prepare your walls:

If your walls are currently covered in old wallpaper, this must be removed first. Leaving old layers in place can prevent new wallpaper from adhering properly and may cause peeling.

How your old wallpaper is removed depends on its age and material. If it is a rather new paper it probably will come off fast. Wallpapers nowadays are made from improved substrates and many have the advantage to be removed in long stripes rather than scrapping it off cm by cm as it was the case with wallpaper from the past. However, you might have inherited an old nostalgic wallpaper that came with your property.

To remove an old wallpaper it's a good idea to test a few tools to see what works best for you and the material you are working with. A steel scraper can work well to get under the surface at the seams and gently lifting the paper, or you might like to test a wallpaper scoring tool. Be careful though not to damage the plastered wall underneath.

Always lay some cardboard and plastic sheets on the floor as removing old wallpaper is a messy job often and often involves water. With some old wallpapers, the visible surface may peel away separately from the backing paper, leaving the backing adhered to the wall.

To remove the backing paper apply a mixture of warm water and mild detergent (you can also add a bit of white vinegar) using a sponge or spray bottle. Let the mixture soak in for a few minutes, then gently scrape it off with the scraper. Before applying new wallpaper always ensure that the wall is thoroughly cleaned and dried. You might need to fill in cracks, holes and sand the walls down. For older walls it is a good idea to apply a lining paper. This helps to smooth out imperfections, creating an even base and improves adhesion.

If your walls are newly plastered the surface needs to be sealed with primer before applying the wallpaper adhesive. Without this step, the adhesive can soak into the wall instead of bonding with the wallpaper, leading to poor adhesion and paper that won't hold up well.

Problem 3: Hanging the Pattern Upside Down

One of the most frustrating mistakes when installing wallpaper is hanging the pattern upside down or failing to align it properly.

While some wallpaper designs have a subtle directional flow, like trailing florals for example, others feature more obvious motifs where you'd expect no one could possibly hang them upside down. Yet, although rare, we've encountered a few surprising cases where even the most unmistakable patterns were installed the wrong way up. This usually happens in the absence of the client, only to leave an unfortunate and frustrating surprise when they return to see the finished room. Similarly, mismatched seams or misaligned repeats can look awkward and disrupt the rhythm of the pattern.

To avoid these issues, we strongly recommend that you are present on the day your wallpaper is being installed. It's essential to study the design and pattern match before starting, identify the top and the bottom, and carefully follow the repeat instructions provided by the manufacturer. If in doubt always check the product images on the manufacturer's website or get in touch with them. Take time to plan the layout and measure precisely before cutting the paper.

Problem 3: Gaps Between The Strips

Another wallpapering mistake is leaving visible gaps between the paper drops. These seams can appear when the wallpaper hasn't been properly butted together or if the walls weren't adequately prepared before hanging the paper. Uneven surfaces or even stretching the wallpaper during installation can contribute to unsightly gaps. When hanging wallpaper it is crucial to understand the type of seam required. While some wallpapers are designed to be hanged slightly overlapping, many modern wallpapers, including our Good & Craft wallpapers, are to be butt-joined. This means that the drops need to be installed with the edges meeting precisely without overlapping.

To prevent these problems, always read the manufacturer's instructions as they provide specific guidance on how the wallpaper should be joined. Make sure that each drop is carefully aligned and pressed into place without leaving gaps, overlapping or pulling.

Keep a constant room temperature whilst hanging your wallpaper and during the drying process. Keep in mind that you might need to turn off the heating. Never force the drying of your wallpaper with heat. If you are hanging a wallpaper with an overall dark appearance you can also paint vertical strips (approx 5cm wide) in a matching colour onto the wall where the wallpaper seams will meet. This will help disguising any small gaps between the paper drops. When hanging dark wallpaper there is another important step to follow before the paper is going up on the walls, which leads us to one of the most frequent issues: Visible Seams

Problem 4: Visible Seams

Visible seams is related to problem No 3 of having visible gaps. To achieve a professional-looking finish where you can't see where the wallpaper has been joined, it is crucial that both the steps to avoid gaps and visible seams are followed carefully.

Visible seams are mainly a problem with dark wallpapers, where the white edges of the paper highlight against the dark backdrop. If the necessary steps to avoid this issue haven't been taken, the edges of the wallpaper may become visible as thin white lines, similar to the effect when drops aren't properly aligned.

How to avoid visible seams:

Dark wallpapers especially need their edged coloured with a decorators crayon in a matching colour before hanging the paper. We wrote a whole blog post on how to colour wallpaper edges, what crayons to use, and other important steps for hanging dark wallpapers here

Problem 5: Splotches and Air Bubbles

Air bubbles and splotches are very unpleasing, and are the result of improper installation techniques or poor wall preparation. Air bubbles usually form when the wallpaper isn't smoothed out correctly during application, trapping pockets of air beneath the surface.

To ensure a flawless result make sure that your walls are smooth, evenly absorbent and use a lining paper if necessary. Use a wallpaper brush to firmly press the paper in place. Work from the center outwards to express air bubbles. Never use a spatula as this can scratch the surface! If bubbles are appearing during installation, gently lift the wallpaper to let the air escape, then press it back immediately and smooth it out.

Splotches or dark patches can be the consequence of unevenly or too much applied paste.

It's crucial to understand your wallpaper type and which method of application and what kind of adhesive is required. Always follow the manufacturers instructions and do not use self-mix adhesives. Some wallpapers need to be soaked before hanging, while others reuire the adhesive to be applied to the wall. For non-woven "paste the wall wallpapers" the adhesive needs to be applied to the wall directly. Apply the paste evenly to the wall to an area slighly larger than the width of the paper drop. Avoid squeezing wallpaper paste out of the joints and keep your hands and brush clean. If any paste gets on the wallpaper surface remove it immediately with a clean, damp sponge before it dries.

Following these steps and carefully reading through and complying with the installation instructions of the manufacturer not only ensures a smooth professional finish but also helps avoid costly mistakes.