Putting wallpaper up can transform the look and feel of your room in a way that paint can’t. It can also be quite a labour intensive job and as a general rule decorators charge around PS150 per day for their work.
Using a spirit level or plumb bob mark a line vertically down the centre of your wall. This will become your starting point for each strip of wallpaper.
Preparation
Wallpaper can be a great way to add an accent wall or make an entire room pop. However, like most home projects it’s important to take the time to prepare the walls before hanging the wallpaper of your dreams. Failure to do so may result in issues that don’t show up until months or even years later.
This preparation includes removing existing wallpaper, painting the wall with a primer or using a high-quality eggshell, satin or semi-gloss paint (depending on whether the walls are drywall or painted). A priming step is particularly helpful in rooms that have been previously decorated as it can help prevent mold and mildew underneath the new wallpaper. For more info, do visit this website wallpaper singapore.
Once the walls have been primed, they should be wiped down to remove any dirt and debris. It’s also a good idea to clear the room of any furniture or soft furnishings and cover flooring with dust sheets.
Hanging
When hanging wallpaper it’s important that you start at the correct point of your wall and get your first length, or ‘drop’ up properly. This is because all the other lengths of paper will align to it and be wonky if it’s not plumb (straight).
To achieve a good result use a spirit level to draw a straight line on the wall 58cm/23″ in from where you want to hang your first drop. This allows for a 5cm/2″ overlap from the adjacent wall to cover any imperfections.
It’s also worth noting that you should never install a strip of wallpaper that covers part of one wall, goes into the corner and then covers part of the next. This will cause the corners of the wallpaper to pull away from the walls, which can leave unsightly ridges behind. If you’re using a patterned wallpaper, this can make the pattern look out of alignment.
Trimming
When you have finished hanging the wallpaper, use a snap off knife to trim the top and bottom edges. If you have patterned wallpaper, make sure the pattern lines up properly and cut around any light switches or sockets.
You will then need to let the wallpaper dry, which can take up to two weeks – but you can speed it up by keeping the room well-ventilated and leaving windows open as much as possible. You can also use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity and help the wallpaper dry more quickly.
The cost of having a room professionally wallpapered typically costs between PS70 and PS120 per day for a decorator, plus any supply costs for the wallpaper and adhesive. This will vary depending on the size of room and whether the decorating work involves clearing out furniture or not. Check with your decorator to be clear on what’s included in their quotes before you hire them.
Cleaning
When applying wallpaper, it’s likely that you will get some glue on other surfaces, such as baseboards or crown molding. This can be wiped away with a sponge or cloth dampened with clean water before it dries.
You will also need to wipe the walls down with a cloth and some soapy water to remove any grease or other deposits that may hinder adhesion. This is an important step before wallpapering a room, especially if you are going to paint over the wallpaper later on.
It’s worth noting that some decorators will include this in their quote as a standard added cost, whilst others might charge for it separately. It’s best to ask your decorator for a clear explanation of this before agreeing a price. This will help you to budget and prepare for the job ahead. You can then be sure that you’re getting a fair and accurate quotation.
