How to Install Removable Wallpaper

I am going to preface this by saying that, many moons ago I attempted to remove glued wallpaper and it ruined me. I will forever be a DIY removable wallpaper kind of gal. Perhaps it has changed over the years, but I’m not willing to find out. So if you share the same feelings as me about glued wallpaper, you’ll love today’s post about how to install removable wallpaper!

This is my third attempt at removable wallpaper on accent walls so I feel like quite the professional. But of course, it hasn’t always been that way. The first wall I started on was a half wall and I roped my mom into helping. Once I realized that there was ZERO mess, I could do it quickly before my husband said “this is going to be a bad idea”, and it wasn’t something I had to commit to forever I was in love. Remember how I did this wall? Well its already been pulled down. So I not only have experience in putting it up but taking it down also. So I want to share all my secrets so you can make your accent walls (or full rooms) pop.

Now, remember what my daughter gave for inspiration on her room redo? Check it out HERE. She wanted mermaids, unicorns, rainbows and more. I want rooms that don’t look like kids character aisle at Target. You know the one. So I found Waves of Chic at WallsNeedLove and I knew this would be the starting point every little girl’s dream room.

Why WallsNeedLove

Child-safe inks
Rugged woven polyester fabric
Dimensionally stable: seams won’t separate like cheap vinyl wallpapers
Moisture-resistant and washable
Removes easy without damaging paint
Guaranteed reusable
FREE USA Shipping

Before We Get Started

Make sure your wall is even in texture if it’s not, grab a sanding block and quickly smooth out any rough spots.
I had paint on this wall prior. It was a light purple and I didn’t paint over it. But if it is a dark color, double-check that it doesn’t shadow through.
Thankfully WallsNeedLove sends all the tools you need, like an exacto-knife and smoothing tool to get bubbles as you apply but I recommend grabbing a pencil, tape measure, and a level if you have one handy.
Remove outlet plates on the walls.
Measure out each panel and marking prior to the application since patterns repeat you need to make sure everything is lined up beforehand. You want a little extra on the top and bottom to make sure you have enough.

Lets Get Started

Honestly, the first panel is always the hardest. Once that is on, its all smooth sailing. We don’t have crown molding in that room and I’m not convinced the walls and ceiling are even straight. So I applied and reapplied that first panel a lot until I felt like it was on straight. This is when the level would have come in handy.

Start at the top. Gravity is your assistant. Let them do the heavy work.
All patterns will be different but in order to make mine align, I had to overlap slightly. So that’s totally normal.
It’s a large sticker. It will stick to everything.
Only remove 6-12 inches at a time of backing and make sure it’s on and lumps are removed before moving down and taking off backing.
Using the smoothing tool smooth out the lumps as you go down. Don’t wait until the end. Insider info, it only works on the wallpaper, it did nothing for my back end.
Use the Exacto knife to cut an X over the outlets as applying. You don’t want to do this after the whole panel is laid as it creates extra lumps and bumps.
Trim off the excess at the top and bottom.

Shout out below, if you have any questions or tips, on how to install removable wallpaper, that I didn’t touch on. Hopefully, this eases your mind and makes you realize you can totally do this. And if you don’t love it, its easier than paint. And trust me there. I just got done replacing the carpet in my office after falling off a ladder while painting and knocking over a full gallon.