To wallpaper around bathroom fixtures, start by preparing the walls. They should be clean, dry, and smooth. Apply quality wallpaper paste to the walls.
Measure and cut the wallpaper, considering the fixtures' locations. Begin at the top and work down, making cuts to fit around sinks and pipes.
Remove air bubbles with a smoother or brush. Use a sharp blade to trim excess wallpaper for a neat edge.
Follow these steps carefully for a professional-looking installation.
Gather Your Materials
To successfully install wallpaper around bathroom fixtures, there are a few steps you need to follow.
First, choose the correct wallpaper. Peel and stick or vinyl wallpapers are best for bathrooms due to their resistance to water. Nonwoven wallpapers are also suitable as they prevent mold and mildew growth.
Next, gather the proper tools. You will need a strong wallpaper adhesive, a brush or smoother for applying the adhesive, a sharp utility knife for cutting the wallpaper, and a measuring tape for wall measurements.
Before applying the wallpaper, it's important to prepare the walls. Clean the walls thoroughly, fill any holes, sand the surface smooth, and apply primer for better wallpaper adhesion and a neat finish.
Prepare the Bathroom Walls
Prepare the bathroom walls by first cleaning them with a mild detergent and water to remove dirt and grease. Use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid damaging the walls.
Check for and repair any imperfections like holes or cracks with spackling compound, applying it smoothly with a putty knife. After the spackle dries, sand the walls with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and improve wallpaper adhesion.
Prime the walls with a high-quality, mold-resistant primer suitable for moist environments to ensure even wallpaper adhesion and enhance durability. After priming, allow the walls to dry completely before applying wallpaper to avoid peeling or mold growth.
Measure and Cut Wallpaper
For precise wallpaper measurement and cutting in a bathroom with fixtures, follow these steps:
- Use a measuring tape or straight ruler to determine the wall dimensions, noting fixture sizes and locations. Include a few extra inches on all sides for trimming and pattern matching.
- Lay the wallpaper on a flat, clean surface. Use a pencil, ruler, and level to mark straight cutting lines.
- Cut the wallpaper with a utility knife or sharp scissors. Place a cutting mat or cardboard underneath to protect the surface and ensure a clean cut.
- For areas around fixtures, cut the main wallpaper pieces first. Then, place them against the wall to mark where cuts are needed for the fixtures. Make small relief cuts to help the paper fit snugly.
- Apply adhesive or paste evenly on the wallpaper's back and position it carefully on the wall.
- Smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles with a brush or roller for a professional finish and precise fit.
- Trim excess material around fixtures for a clean edge, using caution to prevent damage to the paper or fixtures.
Apply Wallpaper Paste
After cutting the wallpaper, apply paste to its back. Place the wallpaper face-down on a clean surface, and use the correct adhesive for your wallpaper type. Spread the paste evenly with a brush or roller, starting from the center to the edges to prevent clumps. Cover the entire surface, including a slight overlap over the edges.
Next, fold the wallpaper in a 'booking' method, where the pasted sides touch each other. This makes the paper easier to hang. Let the booked paper rest as per the manufacturer's instructions to allow the paste to activate.
When the time is up, hang the wallpaper and smooth out bubbles or wrinkles with a brush or roller, moving from the center to the edges. Trim excess wallpaper for a clean edge. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the best results.
Navigate Around Fixtures
To install wallpaper around bathroom fixtures, measure carefully and cut precisely to fit without overlaps or gaps. Start by using a plumb line or level to ensure straight lines and consistent patterns.
Measure the space around each fixture before cutting the wallpaper to match the room's corners, edges, and fixtures' shapes. Make relief cuts to fit the wallpaper around curved objects like sinks and backsplashes, allowing the material to bend and fold where necessary. Cut sparingly, as it's easier to trim extra wallpaper than to fix a shortage.
When hanging the next piece of wallpaper, make sure it is level with the first to avoid visible mismatches. Correcting errors after the wallpaper is set can be challenging.
Periodically step back to check your work from a distance. This can reveal alignment or pattern issues not seen up close, ensuring a high-quality installation.
Smooth Out Bubbles
Removing air bubbles is important for a professional wallpaper finish in bathrooms. Bubbles can ruin the wall's appearance. To prevent them, start at the top of the wall, using a brush or roller to press the wallpaper down and outward, eliminating trapped air and avoiding wrinkles. Apply firm, controlled strokes to avoid damage, particularly with delicate nonwoven wallpapers.
Align the wallpaper carefully from the beginning to prevent air pockets. If bubbles appear, smooth them out before the adhesive dries, as it's harder to fix them later. After wallpapering around fixtures, cut off any excess and continue to remove bubbles for a clean finish.
Proper smoothing, bubble removal, and precise cutting are key to a well-done bathroom wallpaper job.
Final Touches and Cleaning
Once all air bubbles are eliminated and the wallpaper is trimmed, the next steps involve final touches and cleaning. Review the work for any small errors and fix them.
Use a seam roller to firmly attach the wallpaper edges at fixtures and trims to prevent future peeling. Align the pattern carefully to maintain the room's appearance.
After the wallpaper adhesive sets, clean the walls with a damp cloth to remove any adhesive. Be gentle to avoid damage.
Clean off any paste from bathroom fixtures, countertops, or floors to prevent stickiness and dirt accumulation. Choose the right cleaners to avoid harm to the wallpaper or fixtures.
The final touches and cleaning are important for a professional result and to ensure the wallpaper lasts.