Wallpaper has a magical power to transform any space. However, you know the saying, with great power comes great responsibility. Everyone has personal experience, or secondhand trauma from the difficulty of wallpaper. It’s expensive, and when you’re tired of the pattern it’s not that easy to remove.

Fortunately, there’s a solution: peel and stick wallpaper. The same great power of wallpaper, but a more affordable and easier to install option. Not sure how to do it? Read on for the a simple guide on how to install peel and stick wallpaper. 

Before you get started, make sure your walls are prepped and primed to get the best results. Not all walls are created equal, so make sure you're working with a non-textured, smooth, flat, indoor only wall. Peel and stick wallpaper needs the right surface to shine, so it might not be the best match for concrete, textured, or raw unfinished walls. 

If your walls are freshly painted, allow them to fully cure based on the paint manufacturers' instructions (typically 3-4 weeks). 

While you're waiting for the wall to dry and be fully ready for installation, you can gather the following tools: 

MEASURE AND PEEL

Now that you have everything you need, and your walls are prepped, you're ready to start! First, Measure the wall height and precut strips to match wall height, noting to add an extra 1 to 2 inches for trimming at both the top and bottom. Cut and trim with a razor-sharp knife to help maintain a smooth, clean cut.

Starting on the left side of your wall, measure out from the corner 20.5" and mark the wall lightly with a pencil. Use this mark for your level, drawing a straight vertical line This line is the guide for your first strip so it is important that it is straight.

Tip: For walls that are 8 feet high, 1 roll of our peel and stick wallpaper will cover the wall from floor to ceiling two times, or two drops, with a bit of material left over. 

Peel about 12" of the backing away from the paper. Then, stick the paper to the top of the wall, allowing that 1-2 extra inches to overlap the ceiling which will be trimmed off later align the right side of the strip with your vertical line and lightly press the edge to the wall along the line. If needed you can reposition to ensure a vertical seam.

Shop Stacy Garcia: Palma Tropical Yellow Wallpaper

STICK IT

Working from the top to the bottom, pull the backing away from the paper as you evenly press the paper to the wall. Do not force the paper and be careful not to pull or stretch the product or the pattern will not align.

Shop Stacy Garcia: Palma Tropical Yellow Wallpaper

We advise that you overlap the joined wallpaper by 1/16 inch, this will avoid any shrinking that may occur due to varying room temperatures. Using the plastic smoother make your way down the strip. Repeat this process, aligning your next strip to the right edge of your previous strip. 

Shop Stacy Garcia: Palma Tropical Yellow Wallpaper

TRIM IT DOWN

Lastly, trim off the excess material at the ceiling and baseboard with your utility or crafting knife. Once all steps have been completed, enjoy your newly wallpapered space!

Want to get the look? See below for our collection of peel and stick wallpaper and be sure to tag us @stacygarciainc and show us how you styled it!