What is paste the wall wallpaper?

When you’re looking to bring personality to a space, wallpaper is a brilliant way to achieve it. Although hanging wallpaper often gets a bad rap for being complicated, we’re here with some good news... it's much easier than you think! One way to ensure it’s as simple as possible is to invest in paste the wall wallpaper. This type of wallpaper makes applying it as painless as possible, and the finish is worth the effort. Ahead, we break down what you should know before you unroll your wallpaper and start hanging it up. Read on for plenty of paste the wall wallpaper tips…

What is the difference between paste the wall and paste the paper?

Think there’s only one way to apply wallpaper? Think again. The style of wallpaper you choose will either be paste the wall or paste the paper. Pasting the paper is the traditional method, which as the name suggests, requires the paste to be applied directly to the paper. This type of wall covering is typically made with paper, cotton, or vinyl substrates, which absorbs moisture and expands when pasted. To prevent it from bubbling and wrinkling, this paste the paper method requires the paper to be ‘booked’ before it is applied to the wall. ‘Booking’ involves folding the wallpaper in on itself after pasting, which allows it to relax and keeps it from drying out. It will need to be left for around 5 minutes and then moved to the wall for hanging.

An alternative is paste the wall wallpaper, which means you’ll need to apply paste to the wall instead before hanging each strip of paper. This type of wallpaper is made with a non-woven substrate, so the moisture in the adhesive won’t cause the wallpaper to expand when wet. It’s more stable and can be applied directly to the wall.

Why use paste the wall wallpaper

So, is paste the wall wallpaper and paste the wall lining paper worth the hype? It's our preferred application method, which is why all of our wallpapers and wall murals are paste the wall. Need more convincing? Below, read on to discover all the benefits of paste the wall wallpaper…

Quick to apply

Ideal for novice DIYers with little to no wallpaper hanging experience, the paste the wall method is a quick way to achieve a neat finish when you’re redecorating. However, even the most seasoned decorating pros can take advantage of the ease and speed of installation offered by paste the wall wallpaper. There’s no need to soak the paper first, which saves you time on your project and lets you enjoy your newly decorated room sooner. As you simply brush the wallpaper paste onto the wall, there’s no need for a bulky pasting table either – perfect if the area you’re upgrading is short on space!

Easy to cut

Paste the wall wallpaper is also more forgiving to work with. The paste is already on the wall, so you can line the paper up more easily and cut around tricky areas like sockets, light switches and windows with minimal hassle. The paper is dry when hanging, so you'll only need a sharp Stanley knife to make a quick, clean cut. Whether you’re going for soft, subtle florals or loud, geometric patterns, you can expect a professional look every time.

Minimal mess

One of the best things about paste the wall wallpaper? If you’re not a fan of tidying up after a project, you’ll love that in addition to being quicker and easier to cut, the paste the wall method is much less messy, too! By pasting the wall, you won’t need to work with soggy paper. This means there’s no need to worry about any unwanted paste drips as you transfer the paper to the wall, and it takes away any potential mess caused by applying paste to the paper on a pasting table. Another bonus? Paste the wall wallpapers are typically washable, so any excess paste can be wiped away with a damp sponge without staining or discolouring the wallpaper. It’s a good idea to clean your sponge between panels.

Is Paste the Wall paste different to normal paste?

No, paste the wall paste is not different to normal paste. Whether you decide to go for a paste the paper and paste the wall designs, most all-purpose wallpaper pastes can be used with both. However, we do recommend reading the manufacturer's instructions in case there are specific requirements.