Step 1
Mix wallpaper paste in a bucket. Instructions on the packaging will give you a guide to the strength and amount of paste you need for the type of paper you are hanging.
Use fungicidal paste to prevent mould from growing behind vinyl or blown vinyl.
Step 2
Measure the height of the wall to ascertain the length of the first strip, adding about 100mm (4in) for trimming top and bottom. Cut similar lengths from the roll. If your paper is patterned, you may have to allow extra for matching the pattern on adjacent strips - check before cutting.
When cutting wallpaper strips from a roll, first mark or nick the edge of the paper at the required length. Then fold the paper over at this point, aligning the side edges carefully, and slit along the crease with a metal ruler or wallpaper scissors.
Step 3
Lay the cut strips face down on your pasting table. To prevent the strips curling while you apply the paste, tuck the free ends of the paper behind a piece of string tied between the legs of the table.
Step 4
Align the top strip with the front edge of the table and, using a wide pasting brush, apply the paste evenly, first down the centre of the strip, then brush it out towards the front edge. Slide the strip across to align with the back edge of the table and brush on more paste towards that edge. Make sure both edges are well covered.
Try not to get paste on the front side because it can leave marks.
Fold the pasted section over, pasted side to pasted side, and slide the paper along the table to paste and fold the other end in a similar way. Use this method to paste subsequent strips of paper and keep your pasting table clean.
Keep your pasting brush clean by resting the bristles on string tied across the top of the paste bucket.
You may have to leave some heavyweight papers to soak for a short while before hanging them. Check the manufacturer's instructions.
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