Peel-and-stick wallpaper is great! If you think about redecorating, read these tips before buying it.
Are you tired of seeing the same boring color on your fourth bedroom walls? And the thought of renovating and changing the entire look of your room can be quite challenging and not-so-motivating. I get you!
But it is possible to renew the look of those uninspiring walls without too much headache. Whether you like a simple, minimalist look or a bold and colorful wallpaper to boost your day-to-day mood, it is important to know a few things about these peel-and-stick wallpapers before you place the order.
Ah, and don’t worry about the quality! It won’t peel off easily if you stick it according to the instructions. Now, let’s see what the best tips and tricks experts have in store for us:
1. Measure the surface you want to apply the wallpaper
It’s crucial to calculate the amount of peel-and-stick wallpaper you will need before beginning. Measure each wall to see how many square feet of wallpaper you need to cover the entire surface of your wall. Furthermore, before starting your DIY project, make sure you smoothen the walls with sandpaper. The wallpaper will stick better to a clean wall.
2. Avoid sticking the wallpaper on matte or painted surfaces
Peel-and-stick wallpaper may seem harmless, but experts warn against using it on every surface in your house. These wallpapers have the potential to harm painted surfaces, particularly those with matte finishes, such as antique furniture.
Consider waiting a few weeks before applying peel-and-stick wallpaper to freshly painted cabinets, dining tables, cupboards, or any other painted surface. Will shield the peel-and-stick from chipping and peeling when removed.
3. Go for a simple pattern
If you’re a DIY beginner, experts advise sticking to simple patterns for peel-and-stick wallpapers. I know it might be tempting to choose a flowery pattern, but if you do this for the first time and want to do it on your own without asking for professional help, it’s better to go for something more minimalistic.
On the other hand, don’t expect to be perfect, so a full pattern with leaves and flowers, for example, might hide the imperfections better. Speaking of which, what do you think of this Meihodan Blue Bird Self Adhesive Wallpaper? I’d use it for kitchen walls for a fresh and spring-like look!
4. Forget about making it look “perfect”
Unless you have done this plenty of times before, there is no possible way you will make it stick perfectly to your surface. And you know what? Don’t worry too much about it! As long as you have the peel-and-stick wallpaper of your choice, the necessary drive to do this little DIY project, and a bit of patience everything else doesn’t matter.
Plus, none of your guests will even notice the problematic spots!
5. The temperature of the room is crucial if you want good results
Besides cleaning and making sure the surface is smooth enough to apply the wallpaper to it, temperature plays a huge role in the DIY process. If the air in the room is too humid or too warm, the wallpaper won’t stick accordingly. Moisture, warmth, and even cold can damage the adhesive, which is crucial for this item to be used.
To make sure the peel-and-stick wallpaper has the “right temperature” make sure you store it inside, preferably in the room you want to use it. Allow it to get up to the ambient temperature in the room before fixing it.
6. It’s easy to keep it clean
One of the best reasons why you should get peel-and-stick wallpaper is because it’s easy to keep it clean. All you need is a clean cloth, warm water, and a bit of mild detergent. If the wallpaper has good quality, it will last for years without the fear that someday it will peel off on its own.
7. It’s much more affordable than traditional wallpaper (and easier to apply)
If you already thought of changing the look of your rooms, then you probably Googled a few times for traditional wallpapers. With such a huge variety of shapes and colors, it would be impossible not to find something that you like!
Now, the problem is that a lot of traditional wallpapers, even if they look quite luxurious, tend to cost a lot! That’s why there’s always peel-and-stick wallpaper as an amazing alternative. The price difference is enormous, and the applying technique is also something to watch out for, especially if you want to DIY.
8. …but it won’t be as durable as a traditional wallpaper
This is probably the biggest drawback of having peel-and-stick wallpaper. Compared to the traditional one, it wasn’t necessarily built to last. That’s why, according to experts, this type of wallpaper is usually recommended for those who like regular changes and get bored of things easily.
You know, today you might like it purple, maybe the next week you’ll want a flower pattern! Remove, peel, stick, repeat!
9. Before purchasing, look for items free of PVC
Certain peel-and-stick wallpapers, particularly the less expensive ones, use lead-based inks or other potentially hazardous ingredients, which over time may degrade the indoor air quality of your house. Nevertheless, choosing higher-quality, non-toxic wallpaper is an easy way to tackle this problem. Look online for peel-and-stick wallpaper that is fireproof and free of PVC and volatile organic compounds.
10. You can use it on various surfaces not only on the walls
I know that I said earlier that not all surfaces are compatible with peel-and-stick wallpaper; however, it can also be used for small makeovers. I used it on a shelf in my open drawer for a splash of color and in my kitchen over the old and worn countertop.
Trust me when I say that the ending result was pretty great since many guests asked me if I bought a new one! And now, if I come to think of it, I may change it again next month. I kind of want a bit of yellow in my kitchen.
11. It’s worth it!
One thing is certain: you don’t need to get dirty and learn how to paint your walls if you want a change in your home! Neither a ton of tolls for that. Just a measuring tape, scissors, and patience! Applying these wall covers to the wall is similar to removing the backing from a large sticker and doing the same. From my experience, I can say that it’s worth it! Even if I’ve spent a couple of hours trying to make it look good.
You don’t know where to start looking for a peel-and-stick wallpaper? I did a bit of research on Amazon and look what I found:
- Delicate Smooth Green Floral Peel and Stick Wallpaper
- Mamonhome Peel and Stick Wallpaper (made of paper)
- HAOKHOME 93245-2 Peel and Stick Floral Wallpaper
- GloryTik Peel and Stick Wallpaper Multicolour Boho Floral Leaf
Do you think about using peel-and-stick wallpaper? Tell us in the comments.
Spring will be just around the corner, so if you’re interested in more DIY projects for your house and garden, don’t forget to check out another article from our page: 10 Creative Ways to Reuse Wood Pallets.
