How to cut wallpapers? 

Wallpaper, a decorative and functional wall covering, is crafted from elongated sheets of paper adorned with stencilled, painted, or printed abstract or narrative designs. Its origin can be traced back to the late 15th century in Europe, following the introduction of papermaking. While often overlooked, wallpaper can be a significant enhancement for your rooms, turning your walls into captivating focal points. Despite its importance in home design being occasionally neglected amid evolving trends, the appropriate choice of wallpaper materials has the potential to impart a distinctive character to your home, whether you’re renovating an existing space or creating a new one.

See also: Purple wallpaper designs

 

Wallpaper: Uses

Decorating bookshelves with wallpaper- Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a room is effortlessly achieved by using wallpaper to adorn the back of bookshelves, regardless of their size or location within the home.

Fireplace accent wall – Those with a fireplace can elevate its visual impact during the winter months by transforming the surrounding wall into a feature wall. Employing a printed wallpaper to contrast with the paint or wallpaper in the rest of the room can effectively enhance the overall look and feel.

Wallpaper framing – Select a few preferred prints, acquire multiple small picture frames, and place different prints within each frame. Arrange them on your wall as desired, providing one of the simplest ways to utilize wallpaper with boundless combinations and possibilities.

Tabletop elegance with wallpaper– Achieve a luxurious tabletop appearance with just one of your favourite wallpaper prints and a measured pane of glass. Measure out a strip of wallpaper aligned with your table and place a glass panel over it for an elegant finish.

Drawer enhancement with wallpaper- Similar to the bookshelf concept mentioned earlier, choose a print you fancy and cut out pieces for each drawer. This is particularly fitting for kitchen cabinets and can also complement bedroom, dining room, or living room furniture.

 

Wallpaper: The right way to cut them

Measure the wall

Utilise your folding rule or measuring tape to assess the wall’s height at different locations. The initial dimension for cutting the wallpaper should be taken from the longest or highest part of the wall. As a precaution, add 5 cm to both the top and bottom ends to accommodate potential variations in the wall height if necessary. The next step involves determining the number of wallpaper strips required for the wall, which hinges on both the wall’s width and the width of the wallpaper. Measure the width of the wall using your folding rule or measuring tape. You can find the width on the wallpaper label or measure it directly.

Determine the start of the pattern

Prior to cutting the patterned wallpaper, it is advisable to examine and identify the starting point of the pattern. This precautionary measure is essential to prevent cutting into the pattern or obtaining only half of a pattern repeat, which could compromise the overall visual impact. Ideally, it is recommended to start with a full image of the fundamental pattern or an entire pattern repeat. Since the initial section of the roll may not reveal the complete basic pattern, it is suggested to manually position it against the wall for assessment.

Cut the strips of wallpaper

When dealing with wallpapers that have delicate or high-quality surfaces, it is advisable to wear cotton gloves while cutting. Ensure that you include an additional 5 cm at both the top and bottom of the strip, and verify the pattern’s starting point. If the pattern does not align with the beginning of the roll, the cutting line should be adjusted accordingly, again with an additional 5 cm. The cuts should always be made perpendicular to the roll. You can either utilise a wallpaper ruler or fold the wallpaper at the marked edge-on-edge point and then cut it using a wallpapering knife or scissors. In the case of plain-coloured wallpapers, the cutting process for the initial length remains the same. However, you can unroll the wallpaper with the back facing you since there is no need to be concerned about a pattern.

Remember the pattern repeat for any additional strips of wallpaper

Unlike plain-coloured wallpapers that lack patterns and can be sequentially cut from the roll, working with patterned wallpapers requires consideration of the pattern repeat size and offset. This is crucial to ensure a proper alignment of the pattern from one length to the next. The pattern repeat size refers to the vertical measurement of the pattern that recurs on the roll.

 

Cutting wallpapers: Key points

• While it may seem logical that rolls of wallpaper are produced to ensure the pattern’s top aligns with the top (or end) of the wallpaper, this is not the case. Generally, they are rolled up somewhat randomly and in various directions. It is crucial to check the pattern’s direction to accurately determine the top and bottom.
• Paper wallpapers should be cut on the trestle table, while non-woven wallpapers offer the alternative of being cut directly on the wall during the wallpapering process if you prefer. However, in our view, cutting the wallpaper on the trestle table is always a simpler and safer approach.
• After cutting the excess paper from the wall, fold it back in on itself ‘paste to paste’ to prevent it from sticking to the floor when dropped.
• The edges should remain visible and, therefore, need to be razor-sharp, straight, and undistorted.
• The cutter should be capable of handling textured materials.

 

Cutting dry wallpaper

Dry wallpaper possesses inherent stiffness, making it more amenable to cutting with either scissors or a snap-blade knife. This is attributed to the fact that dry wallpaper offers greater resistance to the sharp edge of the blade, facilitating a smoother and straighter cut.

 

Cutting wet wallpaper

After being moistened with adhesive, the paper becomes limp and loses all resistance. Consequently, attempting the same cut as described earlier becomes nearly impossible without tearing the wallpaper apart. Cutting wet wallpaper requires the use of extremely sharp scissors or a snap knife equipped with a fresh blade to prevent damage.

 

FAQs

Why is it important to cut wallpaper accurately?

Precise cutting ensures a seamless and professional-looking wallpaper installation. It helps match patterns seamlessly and avoids wastage.

What tools do I need for cutting wallpaper?

Essential tools include a sharp utility knife, a straight edge or ruler, a cutting mat, and a pencil for marking measurements.

What's the best way to cut wallpaper around corners and obstacles?

For corners, make a diagonal cut and overlap the edges. When dealing with obstacles, measure and mark on the back, then cut precisely around the shape.

How can I ensure a perfect match when cutting wallpaper with a pattern?

Match the pattern at eye level and mark the cutting line on the back of the wallpaper, ensuring the pattern aligns seamlessly when applied to the wall.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com