How to wallpaper a border?

To wallpaper a border effectively, you need to systematically prepare your walls, meticulously plan its placement, accurately measure and cut the strips, expertly apply the paste, and then carefully smooth and trim the border for a flawless finish.

Wallpapering a border is an excellent way to add decorative detail or define spaces within a room without committing to full wall coverage. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring a smooth and professional application.

Essential Tools for Wallpapering a Border

Before you begin, gather the following tools to make the process efficient and successful:

• Measuring Tape: For accurate measurements.
• Pencil: For marking wall and border strips.
• Spirit Level/Laser Level: To ensure a perfectly straight line.
• Plumb Bob (optional): For vertical alignment.
• Wallpaper Smoother/Brush: To remove air bubbles and creases.
• Craft Knife/Utility Knife: With sharp, snap-off blades for clean cuts.
• Cutting Edge/Straight Edge: For trimming.
• Seam Roller (optional): For securing seams.
• Wallpaper Paste: Appropriate for your border type (ready-mixed or powder).
• Paste Brush/Roller: For applying paste.
• Buckets/Trays: For paste and water.
• Sponge/Clean Cloth: For wiping excess paste.
• Drop Cloths: To protect your flooring.

Step-by-Step Guide to Wallpapering a Border

The process of applying a wallpaper border is straightforward when broken down into manageable stages.

1. Prep Your Walls

A clean, smooth, and properly prepped surface is crucial for the border to adhere well and last.

• Cleanliness: Ensure the wall surface is clean, dry, and free of dust, grease, or grime. Use a mild detergent solution if necessary, then rinse and allow to dry completely.
• Repair Imperfections: Fill any holes, cracks, or dents with spackle or joint compound. Sand smooth once dry.
• Prime the Surface: For best adhesion and easier removal in the future, it's highly recommended to prime the wall, especially if it's painted with a glossy finish, is new drywall, or has varying porosity. A wallpaper primer or a diluted PVA solution works well. This creates a uniform surface for the paste to grip.

2. Visualise Your Wallpaper Border

Before any cutting or pasting, it's vital to determine the ideal placement of your border.

• Placement Options:
  • Top of the wall: Near the ceiling line.
  • Mid-level: Often at chair rail height (around 30-36 inches from the floor) or above a dado rail.
  • Bottom of the wall: Near the baseboard.
  • Around features: Framing windows, doors, or specific architectural elements.
• Marking the Line: Use a spirit level or laser level and a pencil to draw a faint, continuous line around the room at your chosen height. This line will serve as your guide for alignment. Take your time to ensure this line is perfectly straight and level.

3. Measure Your Wallpaper Border

Accurate measurement prevents waste and ensures you have enough material.

• Measure the Perimeter: Measure the total length of the wall(s) where you intend to apply the border. Go around the entire room, measuring each wall segment.
• Account for Overlap/Corners: Add an extra 1-2 inches for trimming at corners and where strips meet.
• Cutting Strips: Roll out your wallpaper border and carefully cut the first strip to size, adding a few inches for trimming. When cutting subsequent strips, match any patterns if your border has one. It's often easier to cut a few strips at a time rather than all at once.

4. Get Pasting

The method of pasting depends on whether you have a pre-pasted border or one that requires separate adhesive.

• For Paste-the-Paper Borders:
  • Lay your cut border strip face down on a clean, protected surface (e.g., a pasting table or drop cloth).
  • Apply an even layer of wallpaper paste to the back of the border using a paste brush or roller. Work from the center outwards to the edges, ensuring complete coverage.
  • Booking (Folding): Gently fold both ends of the pasted strip towards the middle, pasted sides together, without creasing. This allows the paste to soak in evenly and makes the strip easier to handle. Let it "book" for 5-10 minutes according to paste instructions.
• For Pre-Pasted Borders:
  • Most pre-pasted borders require wetting the adhesive. Roll up the strip loosely with the adhesive side out.
  • Submerge the rolled strip in a tray of clean water for the time specified by the manufacturer (usually 10-30 seconds).
  • Slowly pull the border out of the water, adhesive side out, letting excess water drip off.
  • Booking: Gently fold both ends towards the middle, adhesive sides together, and let it "book" for a few minutes to activate the paste fully.

5. Smooth Down and Trim Off Any Edges

This is where the border comes to life and gets its professional finish.

• Applying the First Strip:
  • Unfold the top portion of your first pasted strip.
  • Align the top edge of the border with your pencil guideline on the wall.
  • Start applying from one end of the wall, leaving a small overlap at the corner if you're wrapping around.
• Smoothing:
  • Once the border is in place, use a wallpaper smoother, brush, or clean, damp cloth to gently smooth it down.
  • Work from the center of the border outwards to the edges to push out any air bubbles and ensure firm adhesion.
  • Check for creases and smooth them out immediately.
• Joining Strips:
  • For the next strip, butt the edges together tightly. Do not overlap unless specified by the border type (e.g., some continuous patterns might require a slight overlap and double-cutting).
  • Use a seam roller if necessary to gently press down the seams for a seamless look.
• Trimming Edges:
  • At corners, door frames, or where the border meets another surface, use a sharp craft knife and a straight edge to trim off any excess. Make clean, precise cuts.
  • Change your blade frequently to ensure sharp cuts and prevent tearing.
• Wipe Excess Paste: Immediately wipe off any excess paste that oozes out with a clean, damp sponge or cloth. Change water frequently to avoid spreading paste.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Finish

• Start in an Inconspicuous Spot: If possible, begin wallpapering in a less visible corner of the room, as the starting and ending points may not perfectly align.
• Work in Sections: Don't try to apply a very long strip all at once. Work in manageable sections.
• Patience is Key: Take your time with each step, especially with measuring, aligning, and smoothing. Rushing can lead to mistakes.
• Practice Piece: If you're new to wallpapering, consider practicing with a small scrap piece on an inconspicuous wall or a piece of cardboard first.

By following these steps, you can successfully wallpaper a border, adding a touch of style and personality to your living space.