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January 26, 2021 7 Comments

How to Install Removable Wallpaper

Filed Under: DIY, tutorial 7 Comments

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If they gave badges for rental home decorating I would have earned dozens by now and I can add the “install removable wallpaper” badge to my collection. To be honest, I think I probably rate an expert badge in this category at this point because I’ve done it now in multiple homes. It’s safe to say that I’m a big fan. The latest installation of removable wallpaper was in our bedroom a couple of months ago. I thought it would be nice to share some tips by sharing a tutorial on how to install removable wallpaper.

My first tip is to shop around for the perfect paper. Not all removable wallpaper is created equal. It can be a challenge to find affordable removable wallpaper especially one that is high quality and pretty enough to actually put on the walls. I found Amazon to be a pretty good resource while shopping. While on the hunt, I relied heavily on reviews. I read probably a hundred reviews or more before making the decision on this particular wallpaper. I’m really happy with the paper I selected. It didn’t come without issues but overall, I’m really happy with the way it turned out in our space.

How to Install Removable Wallpaper

Before the installation of peel and stick wallpaper make sure you order more wallpaper than you think you’ll need. You can use online calculators to give you an idea of how much wallpaper you’ll need. I ended up purchasing 8 rolls for my wall that’s 14 ft long and 8 ft tall. I ended up only needing six of those rolls. If you have wallpaper with a pattern like the one I chose, you’ll have a bit of waste from lining up the pattern. Some other things you’ll need for the installation are a step stool, a sharp craft knife, and a credit card for smoothing out bubbles.


To get started make sure you wipe the walls down pretty well. I dusted the wall with a dry cloth and then wiped it down with a damp cloth. Once dry, we were ready to install the wallpaper. I think this job is easier with two sets of hands but it’s totally doable if you’re on your own. Now you’ll have to decide where to start on your wall. I started on one end but because of that, we had just a slim sliver of paper once we got to the other end. If I could do it over I would have started in the middle and work my way out. It’s best to measure the wall and figure out how many full panels you’ll have space for and what will be leftover.

How to install removable wallpaper

Matt and I worked together to hang the wallpaper. We started by peeling back about a half-foot of the wallpaper and stuck it firmly to the top of the wall right in the corner. I peeled back the backing while Matt scraped the wall with a credit card to secure the paper and push out any air bubbles. The first strip placement was a bit frustrating because it was tough to get it lined up without bubbles. We would just peel it away from the wall and reset every couple of feet until we made it to the bottom of the strip.

Installing Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Once we got to the bottom, we scraped the papered wall with a credit card and then made a clean cut where the wallpaper meets the baseboard using a craft knife.

How to install removable wallpaper

To install the next strip of wallpaper, you have to line up the pattern. To do so, we had to trim a bit from the top. I cut a strip with some space on the top and then we lined it up the best we could. I will say, the wallpaper I got wasn’t printed perfectly. Looking super duper closely you can see that in some places the pattern doesn’t completely line up. Perfection is not your friend during this installation – I promise, it won’t be noticeable. Using the same method as the first strip, we worked our way down securing it to the wall with the credit card and then trimming the ends with a craft knife.

Tips for installing removable wallpaper

After the first couple of strips of wallpaper, we were rocking and rolling. Before we knew it we were on our last strip of paper which ended up being about a four-inch strip. This was the trickiest part of the installation. I cut the strip to about six-inches wide so when it was stuck to the wall there was a bit of slack on the side that we trimmed with the craft knife.

If your wall has any outlets you’ll have to remove the outlet cover and cut a small hole to fit around the outlet and then replace the cover.

casual master bedroom

The whole process took the two of us about three hours from start to finish and cost about $220. It elevates our space (you can see the whole room here) so much it was worth every penny for this room to look much less like a boring rental and more like a restful retreat! Please let me know if you have any questions. Later this week, I’ll share some great places to find removable wallpaper.

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About Chelsea

Chelsea Coulston is the resident decorator, baker, and pillow hoarder around these parts. A wife to an active duty Sailor and mom of two girls, Chelsea's got a knack for decorating even the most challenging spaces (just see her military base house!) She's inspired by cool beach tones and warm natural elements that remind you of a day at the beach. After living in a half dozen rentals, she's enjoyed spending the last few years in a cute ranch style home that she and her husband have almost completely renovated themselves. Chelsea lives in sunny Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and two daughters.

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Comments

  1. Karissa Rumsey says

    February 3, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    As a fellow military spouse (now retired) I salute you! I thought you might be a mil spouse when I first saw this post, and I was right! There should be medals for rental home decorating, and you deserve one. So beautiful! I just wish they had this when we were active duty!

    Reply
  2. Maria says

    February 5, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Thanks for this tutorial. I am considering adding a papered wall in my home and have never attempted it before. Wish me luck!! I love your wall paper choice…it is lovely:)

    Reply
    • Chelsea says

      February 7, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      You can do it!

      Reply
  3. joy says

    February 7, 2021 at 8:47 am

    how do you remove the wallpaper

    Reply
    • Chelsea says

      February 7, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      You just peel it right off.

      Reply
  4. Gracie says

    February 13, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    Can the peel and stick wallpaper be used permanently? It seems so much simpler than regular wallpaper. Ty

    Gracie

    Reply
    • Chelsea says

      February 16, 2021 at 12:57 am

      Hi Gracie – Sure! I’ve never truly installed permanent wallpaper so I can’t say for sure which is easier but I do like the install of the peel and stick.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Chelsea!

I'm Chelsea. Wife to Matt, and mama to P and Millie. I'm a fan of making and decorating things and everything blue + white. I believe that there is no such thing as too many throw pillows. Lover of iced coffee and cocktail Fridays. I'm glad you're here.

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It’s been a whole year since my dining my room l It’s been a whole year since my dining my room looked like this. It’s been a long year, hasn’t it? This space is regularly filled with books and school supplies and two giggling girls. I don’t know if we ever go back to normal from here but there’s a lot from this time that I want to take with me in to the future. How about you? 
Linked everything on @liketoknow.it 

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My kids fight all day long but when the time comes My kids fight all day long but when the time comes for them to go to sleep they snuggle up in the same bed and it gives me allll the mama feels. It’s getting pretty tight on the top bunk with them squeezed into a twin but they never complain.

The dots on the wall are little decals for a faux wallpaper look. We love them. I linked them and everything else from the girls room on @liketoknow.it http://liketk.it/3cpo9 #liketkit #LTKkids #howihome #bhgstylemaker #kidsspaces #militaryhousing #milspouse #howirent #rentaldecorating @liketoknow.it.home @liketoknow.it.family
So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot So many things happening today. Got my Covid shot (🥳🥳🥳) and wrote a blog post. I want a prize. Kidding. Finally wrote all about that sconce hack. Rental friends - go to the blog and pin it for later! #rentalfriendly #howihome #sconcelighting #diyprojects #howirent #milspouse #militaryhousing
I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental I think it’s safe to say that my favorite rental hack is temp wallpaper. I have a version of it in four rooms now. This one is my favorite, I think! #howirent #milspouse #basehousing #bhghome #howihome
My ideas do not always work out but this one did! My ideas do not always work out but this one did! I’m really proud of the way the canvas turned out. It was really fun to be creative in this way. I think this completely transformed our living room in such a great way. This is military base housing guys. Base housing. I almost don’t believe it myself... swipe to see the giant canvas we made before I painted it and our living room before! Also I added everything to @liketoknow.it if you are looking for sources! http://liketk.it/3b1lr @liketoknow.it.home #LTKhome #kismetcheckoutmyhouse #diylookforless #howirent #abmathome #howihome #basehousing #milspouse
Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how Rudy turned 5 last month and I was reminded of how crazy I was to get a puppy while v pregnant with Millie. Also, he wanted a permanent spot in the feed. Happy Saturday.

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