Wallpaper Borders
Introduction:
Wallpaper borders are a quick and easy way to
decorate a room. It’s an inexpensive DIY homeowner project.
Wallpaper borders can be used to add a theme or accent to
any room; bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms, and dens. Even
laundry rooms are often decorated with wallpaper borders.
Wallpaper borders are also used in conjunction with regular
wallpaper as a finish along the top of wallpapered walls
rather than crown molding. Quite often borders are used
above hallway chair rail as an accent finish. Whatever the
use wallpaper borders are a great way to finish off the
decoration of a home.
Wall paper borders come in a variety of
widths, styles, colors, and patterns. Choosing the right
wallpaper border for your decorating project is not always
easy because there are so many varieties to select from. I
recommend that you visit your
local wallpaper sales store and discuss your project
with a sales clerk. After all, they are in the business and
have a lot of experience for you to draw upon. Take a few
sample patterns home to display in the room. This will give
you a good idea for color coordination and pattern choice.
Use the following instructions as guide for hanging
wallpaper borders. With a little patience and determination
you too can become an expert at hanging wallpaper borders.
You can put a border at any height, but
most typically borders are found around the ceiling or on
the top of a chair rail. Keep in mind that wherever you
decide to place it you want it to enhance the room esthetics
and not create a dungeon. As with many DIY projects half the
battle for success is in the preparation.
Before you start
check the condition of the wall. Wash the wall and fill
holes with spackle and sand. Most borders are fairly thin,
and underlying imperfections will really stand out. It is
best to fix them now, rather than see them once you are
done.
Border wallpaper usually comes in fifteen foot rolls of
different widths and is usually pre-pasted. Do not rely on
pre-pasted borders to be effective, particularly in humid
climates or for
bathroom use.
Pre-pasted borders don't adhere well to very glossy surfaces
either. Buy a small container of wallpaper paste and apply
it according with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wallpaper tools:
-
Scissors or craft knife
-
Pencil
-
Level
-
Wallpaper paste
-
Pasting
brush
-
Wallpaper brush
-
Wallpaper seam roller
-
Bucket
-
Sponge
-
Ladder
Pasting
surface or table
Hanging the Wallpaper Border:
-
If you are not
placing the wallpaper border along a straight edge ceiling
or chair rail you will need to draw a reference line on the
wall to insure that the border is straight. Use a level and
make the reference line on the wall.
-
Start
approximately four inches off the wall from a corner,
preferably behind a door way. This will be your beginning
and end point. As an alternative you may start in the corner
itself if the border does not have a matched pattern.
-
Measure the
length of paper adding about an inch to the length. Final
trimming will be done after it is placed on the wall. Lay
the paper flat on the pasting table. Follow the directions
for using the paste. Typically you just paint the paste on
the back side of the paper.
-
Carefully move
the paper to the wall and position it along the reference
line, top of chair rail, or ceiling. The paper should be
very wet and easy to position. Use the wallpaper brush to
smooth out wrinkles and bubbles along the border and the
seam roller along the edges.
-
Clean off
excess paste with warm water and sponge before it dries.
-
Be careful in
corners to not tear the paper.
-
If you need to
splice a length of paper overlap the two pieces aligning the
match point. Use a razor cutter to cut through both pieces
of paper and remove the underneath piece and the top overlap
piece. Position the two ends together to form a seamless
match. Repeat this at the end point of your border in a
matched pattern. Overlap the beginning point until the
pattern is matched and cut through both pieces of paper.
-
If the length
of the run is such that you need to reposition the ladder
use a thumb nail to hold the paper in place while you do it.
Wasn’t that easy.
Related articles:
Wallpaper Preparation
Wallpaper Selection
and Buying
Wallpaper Cutting and Hanging
Wallpaper Removal
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