How to Hang Traditional Unpasted Wallpaper

Our traditional unpasted wallpaper can be installed using the paste-the-wall method. Apply a suitable wallpaper adhesive directly to the prepared wall, then position each panel while the paste is wet. A detailed installation guide is included with your order.

Before You Start

Remove the wallpaper from its packaging and allow the panels to rest, loosely unrolled, in the room where they will be installed for at least 24 hours.

Make sure the wall is smooth, clean, dry, and structurally sound. Use a wallpaper primer and adhesive suitable for your wall surface and our nonwoven wallpaper. Follow the primer and adhesive manufacturers’ directions.

Gather a level, pencil, measuring tape, paste roller or brush, wallpaper smoother, clean sponge, straightedge, and sharp utility knife. An extra person can help you position larger panels.

Step 1: Arrange the Panels

1. Unroll the wallpaper and separate the panels on a clean surface.
2. Find the number and top of each panel. Arrange the panels in hanging order from left to right, beginning with Panel 1.
3. Check that the design aligns across the panels and that you have enough wallpaper to cover the wall.

If anything appears incorrect, contact us before applying paste or hanging the wallpaper.

Step 2: Mark Your Starting Line

Hanging the first panel straight is important because it guides the panels that follow. Use a level and pencil to draw a light vertical line where the edge of the first panel should sit.

Step 3: Paste the Wall

Apply wallpaper adhesive evenly to the section of wall where the first panel will go. Extend the paste slightly beyond the area covered by the panel so the edges receive adequate adhesion. Do not allow the paste to dry before hanging the panel.

Apply the paste to the wall, not to the back of the wallpaper, when using the paste-the-wall method described here.

Step 4: Hang the First Panel

Confirm that you have Panel 1 and that its top is facing upward. Position the panel along the vertical guide, leaving enough excess at the ceiling and floor for final trimming. If you added extra height when ordering, distribute that allowance between the top and bottom.

Starting at the top, press the panel onto the pasted wall and work downward. Use a wallpaper smoother or brush to gently remove air pockets. Wipe any paste from the printed surface promptly with a clean, damp sponge.

Step 5: Hang the Remaining Panels

Apply paste to the next section of wall, extending slightly beyond where the next panel will sit. Hang the panels in numbered order from left to right.

Our wallpaper panels include approximately 0.4 inches of overlap. Overlap each new panel with the previous panel until the printed pattern aligns. Do not remove the overlap before hanging. Follow the installation instructions included with your order if you prefer to trim or double-cut the seams.

Smooth each panel and promptly wipe away excess paste, especially along the seams and printed surface. Continue until all panels are installed.

Step 6: Trim and Dry

Use a sharp utility knife and straightedge to trim excess wallpaper at the ceiling, baseboard, and outer edges. Change the blade as needed to maintain a clean cut.

Allow the wallpaper and paste to dry with normal room ventilation. Avoid directing heat onto the newly installed wallpaper, as uneven drying may affect the seams. Follow the drying instructions for the adhesive you used.

Need Help?

If you have questions about wall preparation, adhesive, or panel alignment, contact MotoMoms Decor before installation. You can also review our Wallpaper Materials Guide.