How do you install wallpaper? A beginner’s guide for UK homes

How do you install wallpaper without ending up with bubbles, peeling seams or patterns that don’t quite line up?

This guide will take you through what’s involved, how much it really costs, and why sometimes it’s worth letting a painter and decorator handle the job.

Why wallpaper takes more effort than you think

Wallpapering is less about hanging paper and more about the groundwork.

Stripping old coverings, repairing cracks, sanding rough patches and sealing the walls all take time, but skip these steps and the finish will suffer.

Once the surface is ready, the hanging can begin. And this is where many DIY jobs slip up.

The first strip must be perfectly straight. Drift a few millimetres off and every strip that follows will be out of line. It’s the tell-tale sign of an amateur job.

Decorators know this, which is why they take so much care with the set-up. For them, wallpapering is about precision, not speed.

Not sure whether to paint or go with wallpaper?

Our simple room-by-room guide helps you choose what works best for each space, so you can avoid costly mistakes and get the look you actually want.

Where to hang the first strip

Where you start depends on the job:

• Feature walls: Centre the pattern or a seam in the middle of the wall, then work outwards so the design looks balanced.
• Chimney breasts: Centre the paper on the breast itself, then wrap the pattern evenly onto the returns.
• Whole rooms: Set out from a plumb line and plan to finish in the least noticeable corner, usually behind a door. Modern butted seams mean light direction isn’t an issue.
• Plain papers: Start near a discreet corner and make sure you don’t end up with thin slivers in obvious spots.
• Murals: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions — some start left to right, others need centring.

This planning step is what separates a tidy job from one that looks off as soon as you walk in.

DIY or hire a decorator?

There are jobs where a DIY approach makes sense. A single feature wall in a bedroom, for example, using modern “paste-the-wall” paper. With patience and a steady hand, you can get a decent result without needing loads of tools.

But wallpapering isn’t always DIY-friendly.

Hiring a professional painter and decorator makes more sense if the paper has a tricky pattern to match, if there are alcoves or stairwells to deal with, or if you’re using expensive designer rolls where mistakes cost money.

A decorator will set the room out properly, line up patterns so seams blend in, and keep corners and edges neat. In those situations, the extra spend often saves both waste and frustration.

What it costs in the UK

Prices vary, but here’s what you can expect in broad terms:

• A simple feature wall: £150 to £300 in labour
• A whole double bedroom: £300 to £600, depending on stripping and prep
• Designer or mural papers: £200+ just for one wall in labour, plus the cost of the paper

Decorators usually work to day rates of around £180 to £250 outside London, and £220 to £350 in London and the South East.

Materials make a big difference too. Standard rolls are £10 to £25 each. Designer papers can climb past £100 a roll, and some luxury options go into the hundreds. Add in paste, primer, filler and sundries, and the material side alone can swing from £50 to £300+.

Then there are the “hidden” extras: stubborn old wallpaper, radiators that need removing, walls that need lining. These don’t always show up until the job starts, so it’s wise to budget a bit of wiggle room.

Why batch numbers matter

Wallpaper is printed in batches, and each run can vary slightly in colour. Even a tiny shift will stand out once it’s on the wall.

Always check the batch numbers on your rolls and make sure they match. It’s worth keeping one or two spare rolls from the same batch for future repairs.

If you need to order more later, specify the same batch (if still available) to avoid shade differences.

A decorator will usually start by stripping back whatever’s on the wall, then filling and sanding to create a smooth surface.

If the walls are patchy, lining paper goes up first to even everything out.

What actually happens during wallpapering

Next comes marking a plumb line – the invisible reference that keeps the pattern straight.

From there, each strip is measured, pasted (or the wall is pasted, depending on the paper), and smoothed into place. Joints are butted neatly together, excess paste is wiped away, and any sockets or switches are cut around cleanly.

The room is left to dry slowly. Turn the heating up too high and seams may start to pull apart.

Every paper behaves differently. Some soak up paste and need time to relax before hanging. Others are non-woven and go straight on the wall. Patterns can repeat every few centimetres or every half a metre, which means more wastage and more measuring.

And then there are the little details you don’t think about until you’re there: sockets, light switches, radiators and awkward corners. Each one is an opportunity to get untidy edges if you’re not careful.

Mistakes to avoid

The most common pitfalls?

• Starting without a plumb line
• Using the wrong paste for the paper
• Trying to wrap a strip around a corner instead of cutting and starting fresh
• Forgetting to isolate electrics before removing socket covers
• Not buying enough wallpaper (see below)

They’re small things, but they’re exactly what separates a crisp finish from a botched one.

How to calculate how much wallpaper you need

Working out how much wallpaper you need depends on the size of your walls, the width and length of the wallpaper roll, and the pattern repeat (if any).

Here’s a simple way to estimate:

1. Measure the height and width of each wall you plan to wallpaper.
2. Multiply height by width to get the total square metres for each wall.
3. Add them together to get the total area.
4. Check the roll size – most standard UK rolls are 10m long and 52cm wide, which covers about 5 square metres.
5. Divide the total area by the roll coverage to work out how many rolls you’ll need.

If the wallpaper has a large pattern repeat, add an extra 10% to allow for wastage.

It’s always better to round up, especially if the wallpaper might go out of stock before you finish the job.

Keeping your wallpaper looking good

Once it’s up, wallpaper doesn’t need much fuss. Wipeable papers can be cleaned gently with a damp cloth. In bathrooms or kitchens, ventilation is key to stop edges peeling.

Final thoughts

So, how do you install wallpaper? With careful prep, steady patience, and the acceptance that some jobs are better left to a decorator.

Done right, wallpaper can transform a space.

Done badly, it can nag at you every time you switch on the light.

If you’re tempted to hire, start by gathering a few quotes from local painters and decorators. A small investment up front can save a lot of stress and give you a room you actually enjoy looking at.

Not sure what some of the terms mean? Have a look at our painting and decorating glossary.

Featured image by Nataliya Vaitkevich