Essential Tools for Hanging a Feature-Wall Wallpaper

Wallpapering tools do not need to be complicated, but they must be clean, sharp and suitable for the paper. A blunt blade, dirty pasting brush or inaccurate first line can spoil otherwise good material.

Measuring and setting out

Use a reliable tape measure, pencil and a long spirit level or laser appropriate to the task. The first drop should be plumb; internal corners are rarely a trustworthy vertical starting point.

Measure the usable wall height in more than one place and check the pattern repeat before cutting. For murals, lay the numbered panels out in order and confirm the finished dimensions before adhesive is mixed.

Cutting tools

A snap-off knife or wallpaper trimming knife needs fresh, sharp blades. Change the blade regularly because paste and wet paper quickly reduce the edge. A straight edge and clean cutting surface help when preparing lengths away from the wall.

Keep used blades in a safe container and dispose of them responsibly. Do not cut directly on a finished floor or worktop.

Pasting equipment

For paste-the-paper products, use a clean pasting table, bucket, mixing tool and paste brush. For paste-the-wall paper, a suitable roller or brush and small cutting-in brush help control adhesive at edges.

Mix only as directed and allow any stated standing time. Contaminated or lumpy paste can mark the paper and make alignment harder. Keep a separate clean water bucket and sponge for removing adhesive from the face and woodwork.

Smoothing and seams

A wallpaper smoothing brush or plastic smoother helps remove air and bring the paper into contact with the wall. The correct choice depends on how delicate the surface is. Do not press so hard that ink, foil or texture is damaged.

A seam roller can help with suitable papers, but it should not be used automatically. Some embossed or delicate wallcoverings can be flattened or marked. Follow the wallpaper manufacturer's instructions.

Small tools that prevent mess

• Clean sponge and several lint-free cloths
• Seam adhesive for situations where the manufacturer permits it
• Small brush for corners and around sockets
• Waste bags and floor protection
• Bright work light for checking bubbles and paste marks

Electrical fittings need care. Do not push wet tools around live sockets, and isolate the circuit if plates are being removed by someone competent to do so.

Access equipment

Use a stable, suitable platform or step ladder for the height and duration of the task. Avoid stretching sideways with paste or a long drop of paper. Work-at-height equipment should be checked, positioned on a firm surface and used in line with current safety guidance.

When to call a wallpaper hanger

Murals, expensive papers, stairwells, poor walls and large pattern repeats can make the material cost of a mistake significant. JP Whyte Decorators hangs wallpaper and murals across Cheshire after checking the paper and preparation required.

Tools should match the wallcovering

Check the manufacturer's instructions before choosing equipment. A delicate printed surface may need a clean, soft smoother, while heavier paper may need a seam roller used with care. Some wallcoverings should not be rolled aggressively because paste can be forced out or the surface can be marked.

Prepare a clean cutting area

A stable pasting table or protected floor gives room to measure and cut accurately. Use a sharp blade and change it as soon as it drags; blunt blades tear wet paper. Keep a straight edge, pencil, tape measure, clean sponge and separate cloths for paste and hands.

Establish the first line

Corners and door frames are rarely perfectly vertical. Use a spirit or laser level to mark a plumb starting line rather than trusting the corner. The first length controls every one that follows, so check it at the top, middle and bottom before smoothing fully.

Work cleanly

Mix or apply paste exactly as directed. Wipe paste from the face and skirting promptly with the method recommended for that paper. Do not rush trimming while the paper is too wet. If the pattern is expensive, the wall is uneven or the job includes multiple returns and obstacles, professional fitting may cost less than replacing damaged rolls.