DIY: Hanging Wide Vinyl Wall Coverings

Vinyl wall coverings are something that several interior decorators and DIY enthusiasts have hung successfully with ease but the wide width vinyl wall coverings can evoke a sense of confusion and the phrase “what did I get myself into?” to be uttered in your mind once all the pieces are laid out. Rest assured, hanging wide width vinyl wall coverings is not that much different than the regular width version. Simply gather your tools, plan your placements, and take it one step at a time.

1. Get yourself some pro tools.

The idea of spending a little extra on new tools for interior decorating may seem ridiculous in the eyes of the DIY enthusiast but, in this case, you really won’t be sorry for making sure that you have all the right stuff. When it comes to your knife blades and sheers, it’s a good idea to go pro. To hang your wide width vinyl wall coverings, you’ll need:

• Large dust sheet

• Pair of decorator sheers

• Straight edge

• Pencil

• Measuring tape

• Spirit level

• Snap Off Stanley bladed knife (large)

• 2 Plastic Spatulas

• 1” x 2” Pain brush

• 1” x 9” Roller with short pile sleeve

• 1 Bucket

• 1 Decorator sponge

• Squeegee mop or sponge

• Slip Knife (a.k.a. joint cutting knife)

2. Plan your design.

Take a look at the design of your vinyls. If there is a pattern, you’ll want to end it in an unnoticeable area, usually a corner so that it looks continuous throughout the whole room. If it helps, hold panels up to the wall or lean them against it around the room to make it easier to plan.

3. Mark the wall.

Use your plan to decide where you will place your first vinyl and hold it up to the wall. Allow an extra inch around a corner to make it easier to overlap pieces later. Pay attention to the pattern here as well so that you can line it up as you go. Mark the wall where the piece will go and hold the spirit level at this point. With your straight edge and the pencil, draw a line approximately halfway down the wall, starting near the ceiling. You’ll want to mark two inches for an overlap with the next vinyl, so measure two inches less than the width of the next drop and make a line for where the next one will go, same as the first. Continue around the room, marking where each drop will go and measuring using the spirit level to ensure that each one will be straight. As you go, number each drop. You’ll be numbering the vinyls as well and they will match up when you start attaching them to the wall.

4. Cut the vinyls to fit.

Lay down your dust sheet and position your vinyls on top before you cut them so that you can protect the floor. If you’re worried about cutting through the dust sheet, you can substitute a large piece of cardboard or plywood. Using the measurements that you calculated when you marked the wall, measure your vinyl pieces accordingly and cut to fit, ensuring that you allow the extra inches that you measured for overlap. Mark each length with the corresponding number that you’ll be pasting to the wall as you go. When all of the pieces are measured and marked, get pieces 1, 2, and 3 and turn them over on top of the dust sheet or board.

5. Prepare the wall with adhesive and the first vinyls for application.

With the vinyl pieces facing back part up, use the sponge or squeegee mop (a squeegee mop works much better than the sponge!), wet the back of each piece from top to bottom. Roll the pieces into tubes and set aside. Now, prepare the wall with adhesive. Using your roller, paste wall over the first section but keep rolling approximately six inches past the line you made with the spirit level. Work up to the ceiling and as you go, use your paintbrush to tidy the paste at the corners where the wall meets the ceiling, around the corners, and above skirting. The first section is going to be the most difficult but as you go, it will become easier with each consecutive section while you get the hang of the motions. Don’t make yourself crazy!

6. Apply the vinyl to the first section.

Unroll tube number one onto section one. Use your spatula to press it evenly onto the wall from top to bottom. DO NOT USE A SIDEWAYS MOTION! After you’ve spread the vinyl onto the wall, you’ll have to trim the edges and corners. For this, you’ll use your Stanley bladed knife. This is where pro tools come in really handy! You’ll be happy you have the right blade when it makes this somewhat tedious part of the job a lot easier to complete. Once you’re done with trimming, use clean water to sponge off any adhesive that has been squeezed out during the process of spreading the vinyl onto the wall. You may also want to towel off any areas that could sustain water damage at this point and as you go with each piece. If you wait to do all of it when you’re done with pasting, it might be too late to prevent damage.

7. Apply the other vinyls around the room.

Continue with the next consecutive pieces, pasting the wall section by section and wetting the pieces two or three at a time. As you go around the room, you may find that you have to splice cut the wall covering. You’ll use your slip knife for this, another pro tool, which is designed to complete this job to satisfaction without hassle. When you come to the join, you’ll cut it with your Stanley knife along a straight edge. Cut from the ceiling down the wall for 3” but stay one inch away from the top wall covering. After you’ve gone down 3”, use the slip knife to go the rest of the way down and then complete the join with the Stanley knife and your straight edge once you’re 3” away from the skirting. It sounds complicated but as you work with the tools, you’ll get used to it and be a pro in no time!

Consult The Instructions

If you find yourself lost even with this detailed guide, consult the instructions that came with your wall covering. There may be troubleshooting tips or a number that you can call for help if things aren’t going your way. All DIY jobs have their upsides and downsides. Just take your time and have fun with it and you’ll be sure to end up with a beautiful room!