Proper wall preparation is essential for a flawless wallpapering result. It may seem time-consuming or even boring, but skipping this step can lead to disappointing results — and nobody wants that! The most important rule: the wall must be smooth, clean, dry, and solid.

Here are a few helpful tips to get started:

1. Clear your workspace. Move larger furniture to the center of the room, remove everything from the wall, and gather your tools.
2. Cover the floor with cardboard or plastic sheeting.
3. Remove any nails or screws sticking out of the wall.
4. Turn off the electricity and unscrew switch and socket covers.
5. Fill in any holes or damaged areas with filler.
6. Sand the surface until it’s smooth.
7. For larger holes, use glass fiber mesh before applying filler. Wait until the filler is completely dry before sanding.
8. Avoid wallpapering over painted surfaces — paint may prevent the wallpaper from adhering properly. Lightly sand the painted wall, remove the dust, and apply a wallpaper primer.
9. Always use a primer to help the wallpaper adhesive bond better with the wall.

Take note of the light source in the room. If you’re wallpapering the whole room, start from the brightest wall. If it’s just one wall, the starting point is less critical.
The first strip is the most important — every other strip will align with it. That’s why it needs to be perfectly vertical.
Use a plumb line to mark a straight vertical line on the wall.
Measure about 50 cm from the left corner (if your wallpaper is 52–53 cm wide), then use the plumb line to draw a straight vertical line with a pencil.
Align the right edge of your first wallpaper strip to this line. This method corrects for any unevenness in the wall’s edge, ensuring a straight finish. The wallpaper overhanging on the opposite side in the corner can be cut down easily using a ruler and a sharp utility knife.

With non-woven (vlies) wallpapers, apply the adhesive directly to the wall using a paint roller or brush.
Only cover a slightly larger area than the strip you’re about to hang — this prevents adhesive from getting onto the already-hung wallpaper when you move to the next strip.
For edges, corners, and tricky spots (like around sockets or at the ceiling), use a smaller brush to ensure you apply enough adhesive and avoid peeling later.

Place the dry wallpaper strip onto the adhesive-coated wall.
Leave about 2–3 cm extra at the top, so you can trim it neatly later and correct any unevenness along the ceiling.
Use a wallpaper brush or rubber roller to gently press the strip onto the wall. Make sure it’s straight and aligned, then work from the center outward to smooth out any air bubbles.
When applying the second strip, match the pattern carefully.
Once the wallpaper is dry, trim the excess at the top and bottom using a sharp utility knife. For a straight cut, use a metal ruler as a guide.