How to Apply Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Applying wallpaper is a lot more fun than it used to be. Once upon a time, you’d have to grab your gunky wallpaper paste and spend all day wrangling the wallpaper, praying that you didn’t stain or crease it in the process. Instead, Fathead now offers peel and stick wallpaper that provides an awesome and easy way to create a fan zone (or a simple change of vibe) within your home. 

That’s right—the peel and stick revolution is here! To make sure your wallpaper looks great, follow these tips for how to apply peel and stick wallpaper the right way.  

1. Get your supplies together. 

Here’s what you’ll need to hang your peel and stick wallpaper:

• Peel and stick wallpaper
• Utility knife
• Gentle cleaning solution
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Measuring tape
• Level 
• Plastic smoothing tool
• Pencil

2. Clean and prep the walls. 

First, you’ll want to get any dirt or grime off your walls to ensure that the wallpaper applies smoothly. Use a sponge and a mild cleaner (such as hot water and dish soap) to wipe down your walls and then give them 24 hours to dry. 

Once your walls are dry, remove the plates from electrical outlets and light switches. You’ll want to turn the power off to the room (via a branch circuit breaker) to ensure safety. This will come into play later when you’re applying the wallpaper. 

3. Draw a guide line for applying the first piece. 

Next, you’ll draw a line that will help you hang the first piece of peel and stick wallpaper straight. Measure the vertical dimension of your peel and stick wallpaper with a measuring tape and then use your pencil to mark the top and bottom of that measurement on your wall. 

Take the marks you just created and use them to draw a straight line from your baseboard to your ceiling (or wherever you want to hang the wallpaper). Make sure to use a level and a straightedge so that your line is straight and true. 

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4. Apply your first piece of peel and stick wallpaper.

Now it’s time to get down to business. Peel the wallpaper away from its adhesive backing—around 12 inches should do. Carefully align the wallpaper with the line on your wall and press it against the wall. Start at the top and work your way down, smoothing the paper as you go. Gradually peel off more wallpaper from the backing and apply it to the wall as you go, making sure to trim it around the baseboard at the bottom using a straightedge and utility knife. 

5. Line up and match patterns on the next pieces. 

Most people want the patterns on their wallpaper to line up between multiple pieces so that the images are clean and recognizable. Fathead’s wallpaper is designed to make it easy to match images and make them look great, whether it’s team logos on sports wallpaper or patterns on contemporary wallpaper. When you apply a new piece, give it a small amount of overlap with the previous piece and smooth down the seam once it’s applied. 

6. Cut your wallpaper to accommodate outlets and windows. 

When you get to an outlet or window, just apply the wallpaper over it, keeping the paper as straight and consistent as possible. Once you’ve got the piece firmly applied, take your utility knife and cut away the wallpaper that’s overlapping the window or outlet. (Again, make sure power to the room is turned off when working with outlets.) You can smooth the paper’s surface around the cutout area to give it a clean and finished look, but the outlet cover will often conceal it enough that an imperfect edge isn’t a problem. 

7. Look for and eliminate air bubbles. 

Finally, it’s time for a search-and-destroy mission. Check your peel and stick wallpaper to find any air bubbles you might have missed. Use a pin or the tip of your utility knife to make a tiny hole in the bubble. Push down on the bubble to force the air out of the hole and then gently massage the wallpaper with a smoothing tool until it’s smooth again. 

Was that easy, or what? Now that you’ve got the basics down, check out Fathead’s massive collection of peel and stick wallpaper with all kinds of patterns, from sports wallpaper to kids’ room and nursery wallpaper. And don’t forget our custom wall decals that offer something for every kind of fan. It’s a complete collection of wall-safe solutions that will help you express the things you’re most passionate about. Finally, be sure to check out our man cave decor ideas for more sweet ways to create the fan zone of your dreams.