Of today’s bathroom and kitchen trends, wallpaper has become one of the most highly sought after looks. By adding interest to the room and complementing the surrounding elements, wallpaper is taking precedence over paint in many homes. If you’re on board and ready to add wallpaper to your kitchen or bathroom remodel, read on to learn the ins and outs of wallpapering like a pro.
Don’t skip the little steps.
Have you ever seen wallpaper that has been poorly applied? From ripples and bumps, to areas missing paper all together, there is a lot that can go wrong. If your wallpaper isn’t applied properly, it won’t matter how beautiful the design is or how perfectly the pattern enhances the room. When doing any DIY project, it can be tempting to skip a step that seems insignificant, but often the most miniscule steps have the biggest impact on the finished product.
Prep is as important as the paper.
You would think selecting the right wallpaper for your kitchen or bathroom remodel is the most important step – but prep actually takes the gold.
Instead of rushing into wallpapering, take the time to prep your walls before starting your project. Proper prep starts at least a day before wallpaper ever touches the wall. First, you want to clean the walls using a sponge and warm water. After they have dried, it is time to sand them down and buff away any imperfections that could cause bumps. If you encounter any dips or uneven areas, these will need to be filled in with drywall. When drywall is used, you need to let it fully dry for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.
Once dry, you will sand the wall again to smooth out the drywall application. Some dust can occur when sanding, so wipe the wall again with a sponge and warm water to remove any particles. When the wall is clean, even, and dry, you can apply primer. Primer takes a few hours to set, but you don’t have to wait idly while it does. You can take this time to mark and cut your paper.
These preliminary steps are the foundation to wallpapering and should be taken seriously!
Start your application in the right spot for your kitchen or bathroom.
With all bathroom and kitchen trends, it is important to remember that your project won’t look exactly like the picture you saw on Pinterest or in that magazine. The placement of wallpaper plays a big role in how it appears — so where is the right spot to start your application?
If the room has an obvious focal point, such as a large kitchen hood, you can put the first piece of wallpaper in line with it. Otherwise, just start in a corner.
Your hands are okay, but a wallpaper brush is better.
Air bubbles and ripples can really take away from the beauty of your wallpaper. Instinctively, we want to smooth out the paper with our hands, but this is not the best approach. Specially made wallpaper brushes are used by professionals and provide you with a soft, even tool that will effectively remove any inconsistencies in your wallpaper application.
Wallpapering like a pro really comes down to a few small things that are often overlooked, but make a big difference. Be patient, follow the rules, and your kitchen or bathroom remodel will look beautiful with its flawless wallpaper application.
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