Don't Make These 9 Mistakes With Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

It’s simple to install peel-and-stick wallpaper if you avoid these 9 common mistakes. You’ll love being able to decorate your walls without the mess, fuss, or commitment of traditional wallpaper!

Do you have somewhere in your house that needs a little something extra?

Maybe a little pattern?

But you don’t want to make the kind of long-term commitment traditional wallpaper requires.

Because if you’ve ever tried to remove old pasted-on wallpaper, you know it’s a c-h-o-r-e!

And you’re probably very hesitant about ever putting it back up again…

Peel-and-stick wallpaper unrolled on the floor beside a tape measure with a pair of scissors.

Fortunately, there are tons of gorgeous peel-and-stick wallpaper patterns that give you the pizzazz you’re craving.

It’s surprisingly easy to hang when you follow these tips!

However, I was still pretty nervous to hang wallpaper for the very first time, so I tried doing it in my small walk-in closet.

I learned a lot, and am planning some other places to use this simple DIY project.

Table Of Contents

Great Sources for Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Mistakes
Before and After Hanging Wallpaper
Resources and Supplies
- Pin it to Remember it!

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Great Sources for Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

There are so many great places to get peel-and-stick wallpaper!

Here are some places to find the perfect pattern for your project:

Spoonflower makes tons of gorgeous patterns that are tear-resistant and this renter-friendly wallpaper won’t leave any residue behind when you remove it.
Wayfair has over 20,000 patterns so you’re bound to find the perfect one for your project! You’ll be able to find a variety of price points too.
Walmart is another great source for affordable peel-and-stick wallpaper patterns. I really like the Better Homes and Gardens line!
Amazon is where I purchased the vinyl removable wallpaper I used for this project.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Mistakes

So you’ve decided to jump in and hang removable wallpaper in your home.

Before you start installing it, be sure you read all the instructions on the packaging because every brand may have some different recommendations.

Here are some other mistakes to avoid so you get the best results possible!

Mistake 1: Not Prepping the Walls

Small walk-in closet with a ladder inside. Shows drywall holes repaired and prepped for peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Even though peel-and-stick wallpaper is removable, you want it to adhere well for as long as you love it.

For best adhesion, walls should be smooth and clean.

You should also repair any holes first.

Mistake 2: Neglecting to Mark a Plumb Line

Gold and white peel-and-stick wallpaper installed above a door frame with a plumb line to keep it level.

No matter how old or new a house may be, odds are it isn’t completely plumb.

To make sure your wallpaper’s pattern is straight and level, always start by marking a plumb line on the wall using a level.

I find that 2-foot Level is easiest to use to mark this line.

Then use that straight, level line to line up the edge of the wallpaper.

Not taking the time to start with a plumb line will mean that your pattern will end up being crooked.

Even if this wallpaper is removable, you still want it to look straight for as long as it’s on your walls, right?!

Mistake #3: Not checking the seam allowance before cutting each piece

Hand holding up a strip of peel-and-stick wallpaper and lining up the pattern to a strip that's already hung.

When you measure the length of your wall, that is likely not the length that you need to cut the next strip!

Before you make that cut, bring in the wallpaper, line up the seam, and see how much extra you need to add on to the measurement for the length of the wall.

Mistake #4: Not Marking a Cutting Line

Woman's hand holding a pencil and drawing a cutting line with a straightedge on the back of peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Many wallpapers have markings on the back to help you cut a straight line.

But even with those markings, it’s easy to get off track and end up cutting the line a little wonky.

The words on the back of my peel-and-stick wallpaper made it hard to go precisely from one marked line to the next.

I found I got much more consistent results by drawing a line to follow.

Simply use a long straightedge to help you draw the line.

Mistake #5: Removing all the Backing at Once

Hand using a straight-edge smoothing tool to install peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Even though peel-and-stick wallpaper is relatively affordable, you don’t want to ruin an entire strip by having it stick to itself!

Some papers are stiffer than others, but it’s still very easy for the paper to fold over on itself and stick, which isn’t an issue with paste-on papers.

Also, instead of removing the backing from the top down, start by removing the corner on the edge where you’re matching a pattern.

Slowly pull the backing away at an angle, lining up a foot or two of the pattern along the seam.

Then, pull the backing down from the top and smooth out any bubbles.

Work in small sections to get the best results.

Mistake #6: Not Smoothing Out Air Bubbles and Seams

Woman installing gold and white geometric patterned peel-and-stick wallpaper in a closet.

No matter how carefully you apply the wallpaper, there will always be some air bubbles.

Be sure to smooth out those bubbles as you go to get the best results.

Some wallpapers are more likely to tear than others, so you may want to use a Straight Edge Smoother with Felt Edge to reduce the chance of the paper tearing or ripping during the process.

If you notice that the seams aren’t lying as neatly as you’d like, you can use Seam Roller to help them adhere better.

Mistakes #7 & #8: Not using a straight edge or Using a dull blade to cut the overage

Hand holding a straightedge smoothing tool at the ceiling to trim peel-and-stick wallpaper.

When you cut the overage that happens from lining up the seams, be sure to use a sharp blade so you don’t get a ragged edge.

I loved using the Fiskars Detail Craft Knife with Easy Change Blade for this step.

At the same time, you should also use a straight edge, like this 10-inch Straight Edge Paint Guide and Smoother as a guide for the blade to get a neat line at the ceiling and along the baseboard.