How to hang wallpaper

Remove old wallpaper with a stripping knife and warm soapy water. Thicker wallpapers will require scoring to break the surface and allow water to penetrate. For best results, soak the wallpaper, let it dry and soak again. Work from the top down as the water will run down the wall soaking in as it goes. Use a stripping knife to remove the soaked wallpaper. Once the majority of paper is removed, allow the walls to dry before going over again with a stripping knife to remove any remaining backing paper.

If using a steam stripper, work from the bottom up as this allows the steam to rise, loosening the paper at the top. Use a stripping knife to remove the paper when loose.

All holes and cracks should be filled and smoothed flat.

On particularly bad walls, lining paper should be hung horizontally to provide a base.

As many walls are never truly square, a plumb-bob should be used to mark a vertical line. Hold the string on the wall and, once steady, mark the wall with a pencil using the line as a guide.

Mix paste according to manufacturer's instructions in an appropriate container.

Place a length of paper, measured to overlap at both ends, design face down on a suitable pasting table. Allow a small overhang over the nearest edge and one end.

Cut the paper to size allowing a 50mm overlap at both ends.

Apply the adhesive with a large paste brush spreading evenly over the area except for 300mm away from the far edge of the table. Reposition the paper to overhang the other edge of the table and paste the remaining area.

Now fold the paper onto itself leaving the remaining area to be pasted, then fold the bottom length onto itself so that the two edges are almost touching. You can then pleat the large section of paper so that you can move and transfer it without fear of damaging it.

Slide the paper onto the wall against the line then unfurl the folds you made when pasting.

Smooth out the paper using a paperhanging brush or sponge by brushing outwards from the centre. It is preferable to work from the top down.

Push the paper into the edge of the skirting board and at the ceiling making a crease along the paper.

Then peel back and cut along the crease with paperhanging scissors or a trimming knife.

To ensure a perfect fit, use a Harris wallpaper cutting guide.

When hanging a patterned paper measure the second piece on the wall against the first. Match up the pattern against the first ensuring the edges are butted against each other.

Subsequent pieces should be butted against the previous but not overlapped and the edges sealed by lightly rolling them with a seam roller.