Tools for hanging wallpaper

Having the right tools in place makes installation easy and fun. All the things you need are easy to pick up from your local paint- or hardware store and are usually sold as complete kits. Also, some items on the list are things you might already have at home or can borrow from a neighbor or friend.

Tools for Paste-the-wall projects

On to the things you need to get going. Here’s our recommendation:

1. Wallpaper paste. Usually sold as a powder that you mix with water. Use “paste-the-wall" or "non-woven" adhesive. Can be referred to as paste, glue or adhesive depending on brand and store.
2. A brush or roller for applying glue.
3. A sharp knife to cut the strips and trim the edges. We recommend a wallpaper knife with a snap-off blade.
4. A straight edge to help you cut nice and straight.
5. A bucket filled with clean water and a sponge or microfiber cloth to clean off any excess paste.
6. A plumb line or bubble level to make sure the first strip is straight.
7. A plastic smoother or wallpaper brush to smooth out air pockets and fasten the wallpaper to the wall.
8. A tape measure. It’s DIY, there will always be measuring.
9. A pencil to mark the wall for the first strip and make notes.
10. Something sturdy to stand on to comfortably reach the highest point of your wall.

Tools for Peel & Stick projects

Installing Peel & Stick requires fewer tools. Here’s our recommendation:

1. A sharp knife to cut the strips and trim the edges. We recommend a wallpaper knife with a snap-off blade.
2. A straight edge to help you cut nice and straight.
3. A plumb line or bubble level to make sure the first strip is straight.
4. A plastic smoother or wallpaper brush to smooth out air pockets and fasten the wallpaper to the wall.
5. A tape measure. It’s DIY, there will always be measuring.
6. A pencil to mark the wall for the first strip and make notes.
7. Something sturdy to stand on to comfortably reach the highest point of your wall.