Deciding to wallpaper can be a daunting task for a beginner, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep a few things in mind before you start.

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Get your tools first
Gather all your necessary tools before starting. These will include a seam roller, wallpaper smoother or brush, a carpenter’s level, a few push pins, steel tape measure, scissors, a long tray filled two-thirds full with lukewarm water, a wet sponge, a bucket of water, a broad putty knife, and a utility knife.

Order all at once
Order all the wallpaper you expect to need at the same time. When it arrives, double-check the lot numbers to ensure it all comes from the same run. Different runs can have slightly different colours and won’t always match, which can look unsightly on your walls.

Use plastic instead of newspaper
Don’t use newspapers to cover your pasting table. The ink from the wet newspaper could stain the wallpaper and make it unusable. Instead of risking the waste, cover the table with a plastic tablecloth or drop cloth instead.

Lay cut strips on the floor
Once you’ve measured and cut the first strip, and you’re positive it’s the correct size, lay it flat out on the floor and measure the next strip. Make sure there is enough space at the top and bottom of the second strip that the patterns line up correctly. You can use a pencil to label the back of the wallpaper if you are preparing several strips at a time (the pencil markings won’t disappear when the paper gets wet). Laying it all out on the floor is much easier than trying to do it on the walls.

Trim paper carefully
Keep a broad putty knife between the wallpaper and the blade when trimming. This will protect the paper and ensure a straight cut. Also, don’t lift the knife blade until you’re done with the cut.

Use push pins
Push pins will keep long strips of border or paper secure. Place the pin in a lighter coloured portion of the paper to minimise the chances of it showing. After removing it, run the seam roller over the paper to smooth out the hole.
q Information obtained from www.doityourself.com.