Installation Guidelines

Before you begin

A little preparation makes the whole process calmer and the finish far better.

• Inspect every roll or panel in good daylight before you cut or hang anything. Once wallpaper is cut or installed, it is treated as accepted.
• Check the batch: confirm all your wallpaper is from the same batch so colour stays consistent across the wall.
• Acclimatise the material: let rolls rest flat in the room for a few hours so they adjust to its temperature and humidity.
• Work in good conditions: a dry room at a comfortable, stable temperature, with enough light to see what you’re doing.
• Always follow the printed instructions supplied with your specific product; where they differ from this general guide, the product instructions take precedence.

How to measure your wall

Measuring carefully is the single best way to avoid ordering too little, or ending up with mismatched batches later.

1. 01Measure the widthMeasure the full width of each wall you plan to cover, in the same unit throughout. For multiple walls, measure each one separately and note them down.
2. 02Measure the heightMeasure floor to ceiling at a few points, as walls are rarely perfectly even. Use the tallest measurement.
3. 03Treat openings with cautionIt is usually safest to measure as if doors and windows weren’t there. The small amount of extra material gives you room for trimming and mistakes.
4. 04Account for the pattern repeatIf your design has a repeat, each drop needs extra length so the pattern lines up between strips. Larger repeats need more allowance.
5. 05Add a wastage allowanceAdd a sensible margin on top of the bare figure for trimming, matching and any future repairs. Ordering a little spare is always wiser than running short.
6. 06Order everything togetherPlace one order for the whole project so all material comes from the same batch. Re-ordering later risks a visible colour difference.
7. 07Still unsure? Ask usSend your wall dimensions to admin@fiorawall.com and we’ll help you estimate quantities.

Tools you’ll need

• Tape measure, pencil, and a spirit level or plumb line
• Sharp utility knife or scissors, and a metal straight-edge for clean trimming
• Smoothing tool or soft brush, and a clean dry cloth or sponge
• A sturdy step ladder
• For paste-the-wall: the correct adhesive and a paste brush or roller

Preparing your wall

Wallpaper is only ever as good as the surface beneath it.

1. 01Clean the wallIt should be clean, dry and free of dust, grease and flaking paint.
2. 02Make sure it’s smooth or lightly textured, and soundFill cracks and holes, sand them flush, and let any repairs dry fully. Bumps and dips can show through, especially with smoother finishes. Peel & stick needs a smooth wall.
3. 03Prime if neededFresh plaster or very porous or glossy surfaces may need priming or sizing first so the wallpaper adheres evenly.
4. 04Clear the waySwitch off power at the relevant circuit, loosen socket and switch plates where appropriate, and remove fittings so you can work around them cleanly and safely.
5. 05Mark a true verticalUse a level or plumb line to draw a straight vertical guide for your first drop. Never rely on a corner or edge being perfectly straight.

How to hang wallpaper: the paste-the-wall method

Our non-woven wallpaper uses the paste-the-wall method: you paste the wall, not the paper, then hang the dry strip onto it.

1. 01Plan your first dropStart at your marked vertical line, not at a corner. Cut your first length with enough excess at the top and bottom for trimming, allowing for pattern matching.
2. 02Apply paste to the wallUsing the recommended adhesive, paste an area slightly wider than one strip, working evenly right up to the edges so there are no dry patches.
3. 03Position the first stripHang the dry wallpaper to your vertical line, leaving a small overlap onto the ceiling and skirting for trimming.
4. 04Smooth it outSmooth from the centre outwards and top downwards with your tool or brush, easing out air bubbles and excess paste as you go.
5. 05Hang subsequent strips seam-to-seamButt each new strip tightly against the previous one (edges touching, not overlapping), keeping the pattern aligned.
6. 06Wipe as you workGently remove any paste from the surface or seams immediately with a clean damp cloth, before it dries.
7. 07Trim cleanlyOnce a strip is positioned, trim the excess at the ceiling and skirting with a sharp blade against a straight-edge for a crisp line.
8. 08Work methodicallyContinue across the wall one strip at a time, checking your vertical and pattern regularly rather than at the end.

How to install peel & stick

Peel & stick needs no paste and is forgiving: it’s repositionable while you work.

1. 01Prepare and mark upMake sure the wall is clean, smooth, dry and fully cured if recently painted; peel & stick isn’t suitable for textured walls. Draw a true vertical guide line for your first panel.
2. 02Peel back the topPeel away only the top portion of the backing, not the whole panel at once. This keeps it manageable and prevents creases.
3. 03Position to the lineAlign the top of the panel to your guide line and the ceiling, then press the exposed section into place.
4. 04Smooth as you peelWorking from the centre outwards and slowly downwards, peel the backing away a little at a time while smoothing the panel onto the wall to push out air.
5. 05Reposition if neededIf a panel goes on crooked or bubbles, gently lift it back and reapply. It’s designed to be repositionable during installation.
6. 06Match the next panelButt or overlap each new panel as specified for your product, keeping the pattern aligned and the panels vertical.
7. 07Trim the edgesTrim excess at the ceiling, skirting and around fittings with a sharp blade against a straight-edge.

Pattern matching

Before cutting each new drop, hold it against the one already on the wall and align the design first, then cut. Plan so that any inevitable mismatch falls in the least visible spot, such as a corner or behind a door. Patterns with a larger repeat use a little more material, which is exactly why we recommend ordering a sensible amount of spare.

Corners, sockets & obstacles

Don’t try to wrap a full strip tightly around a corner. Turn the corner with a small overlap and start a fresh, plumb drop on the new wall. Around switches and sockets, ensure power is off, work the wallpaper roughly into place, then trim neatly once positioned. Take your time around radiators, frames and awkward fittings; small relief cuts help the wallpaper sit flat.

Drying & finishing

Allow the wallpaper to dry undisturbed. Keep the room at a stable temperature and avoid forcing the drying with strong direct heat, which can affect the finish and seams. Once dry, do a final check for any lifting edges or missed trims.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Hanging the first drop to a corner or edge instead of a true vertical line.
• Skipping wall preparation: imperfections almost always show through.
• Ordering the bare minimum, then having to re-order from a different batch.
• Overlapping seams instead of butting them, or stretching the material to force a match.
• Letting paste dry on the surface before wiping it away.
• Cutting or installing without first inspecting every roll or panel.

Aftercare

Once installed and fully dry, keep your wallpaper looking its best by wiping gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing. Treat textured finishes especially gently to protect the relief.

Need a hand?

These are general guidelines and don’t replace the instructions supplied with your product. If you’re unsure about anything before you start, get in touch. We’re glad to help you get it right the first time.