Wallpaper & Wallpapering Supplies

Match adhesive type to the wallpaper material (paste-the-wall, pre-pasted, or vinyl) and the wall substrate (paint, drywall, plaster). Use a medium-adhesion paste for most paper and nonwoven papers, stronger vinyl adhesives for heavy or washable vinyl, and a primer/size on highly porous or newly plastered walls; standard tools include a pasting table or tray, seam roller, smoothing brush or plastic smoother, plumb line or laser level, and a sharp utility knife

A first-time hobbyist needs a tape measure, level or plumb line, wallpaper smoother, seam roller, sharp utility knife, paste tray and brush, and a step ladder; professionals commonly add a paste machine or pasting table, heavy-duty trimming tools, wider planks for smoothing, scaffolding for tall walls, and precision laser levels for large or commercial jobs

Clean washable wallpapers with a damp cloth and mild detergent, avoid abrasive cleaners, and blot spills immediately; rinse and dry tools after use, store blades dry and safely, and keep paste containers sealed to prevent hardening

Larger or complex pattern repeats increase required waste because you must align motifs across strips; expect higher material use for repeats over 18 inches and when matching across multiple walls, which increases the number of rolls needed and total cost

Hanging new wallpaper over existing paper is generally not recommended unless the existing layer is fully adhered, smooth, and compatible; textured walls should be skim-coated or sanded to a smooth finish to prevent telegraphing of texture through the new paper