Wallpaper Installation & Removal: A Complete Guide
Wallpaper has made a strong comeback, from bold feature walls to textured neutrals. But unlike paint, wallpaper is unforgiving — poor hanging shows immediately, and removal can damage walls if done wrong.
Wallpaper installation
Hanging wallpaper well requires straight seams, no bubbles and clean edges around windows, doors and outlets. Professionals:
- Prepare the wall so the paper adheres evenly
- Match patterns precisely across seams
- Handle tricky areas like corners, stairs and feature walls
- Choose the right adhesive for the paper type
Expect to pay around $15–$40 per square metre for professional installation, depending on the paper and complexity of the room.
Wallpaper removal
Removing old wallpaper is time-consuming and messy. Professionals steam, score and strip the paper, then wash and prepare the walls for paint. Doing it yourself risks gouging the plaster — which costs more to repair than the removal would have cost.
Wallpaper vs paint: which to choose?
- Choose wallpaper for feature walls, patterns and texture that paint can't achieve
- Choose paint for whole rooms, easy updates and lower cost
- Consider a feature wall — wallpaper on one wall, paint elsewhere
Preparing for wallpaper
Walls must be clean, smooth and dry before hanging. Remove old paper fully, fill and sand imperfections, and prime if needed. In humid rooms such as bathrooms, use a suitable adhesive and paper.
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