Wallpaper Buying Guide

Good quality modern wallpaper is durable and easy to hang, but there are several things you need to take into account when making your selection. Firstly, consider where the wallpaper is going. In kitchens, bathrooms and children’s rooms it may be advisable to choose a vinyl or washable wallpaper, which you will be able to clean with a cloth or sponge.

You also need to take account of the kind of light the room gets. In darker rooms you may prefer warmer tones. Always look at the paper in artificial light, as this will differ from natural light. It's always best to order a sample which you can try out on different walls, to check how it looks at various times of the day or night.

One of the most important aspects of buying wallpaper is getting the measurements and calculations right. It’s always advisable to buy all your wallpaper in one go because if you need extra rolls at a later date, there could be minor differences in shade between batches.

Measure the total width of the room. Divide this total by the width of a roll, to find out how many wallpaper widths you need in your room. Then, divide this number by the number of full-height drops you can get from each roll. This should tell you approximately how many rolls of wallpaper you need.

Standard wallpaper rolls measure approximately 10.05m in length and are 52cm in width. When calculating the number of rolls you require, make sure that you allow a little extra for trimming, mistakes, and shorter lengths around windows and doors, and add one extra roll as a contingency. If you choose a patterned wallpaper, make sure you factor matching the pattern up into your calculations.

We have created a handy wallpaper calculator to help you with your calculations. You will find this on each individual wallpaper listing like on the Cole & Son Flamingos wallpaper (it's just above the item description). All you have to do is add your room/wall measurments and the pattern repeat, and the calculation will be made for you. Please note that the calculation is only approximate.

To achieve the best results, walls must always be prepared correctly. With certain types of wallpaper we recommend that the walls must be lined. Check that you’re using the correct type of adhesive - wallpapers differ and may require different types of adhesive. Always use the paste recommended on the roll label or leaflet.

Carefully check that pattern numbers, shades and batch numbers match. To make absolutely sure, unwrap a length of each roll and compare them all in good light to confirm that they match each other.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you check which way up the design goes before hanging.

Once pasted, all wallpapers need to 'soak' for a period of time before hanging. This allows the moisture to be absorbed and the paper to fully expand. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions, paying careful attention to suggested soaking times. If the paper is hung too early after pasting it will not be sufficiently soaked and could blister after hanging. If too long is allowed, the paper can become over-soaked and may tear. Usually 5-7 minutes is enough but check individual instructions.

When applying paste it is important to avoid getting any on the surface of the paper. Any paste on the front should be carefully removed with a damp sponge. You should also take care not to crease the paper - this may leave permanent marks on it. Where possible use a felt covered roller rather than a brush for smoothing down the paper. Avoid squeezing paste out through the joins between rolls and make sure none of the paste gets onto the smoothing roller. Once rolls are correctly positioned, trim tops and bottoms of the lengths with paperhanger’s shears or with a sharp knife and a straight edge.

Selected wallpaper brands sell their own recommended ready made wallpaper paste online at Heal's. Choose from Cole and Son, Harlequin or Sanderson wallpaper paste.

If blisters appear as the wallpaper start to dry out, it usually means there are air pockets underneath. Ease the paper away from the wall and brush it down again, pushing out the air in the process. If blisters persist, it could mean that the wallpaper has not had sufficient time to absorb enough moisture from the paste.

Cole and Son
Cole and Son continue to push boundaries in the world of home decoration with their inspirational wallpaper and fabric designs.

Designers Guild
Designers Guild's innovative range of wallpaper includes iconic prints by the brand.

Harlequin
Blending classic with contemporary, Harlequin's range of striking wallpaper designs will create a focal point in any room.

Orla Kiely
A collection of wallpaper featuring Orla Kiely's now iconic designs.

Osborne and Little
Osborne and Little create stylish wallpaper that continues to push boundaries in the interior design world.

Sanderson
Founded by Arthur Sanderson in 1860, the company is known primarily for its co-ordinating fabric and wallpaper collections - often based on documents from its extensive archive - as well as bedlinen, tableware and paint. Heal's stocks the popular 1950's wallpaper collection online.

To see our full our range of wallpaper Click Here.

Do you have a question? Why not email our Product Advisor at productadvisor@heals.co.uk