How To Hang Natural Wallpaper
In this video, luxury Belgian brand Arte show you how to hang natural wallpaper – such as grasscloth, sisal, paper weave, abaca and bark effects – on a non-woven or paper backing. These are beautiful, handcrafted wallcoverings with natural variation, so careful preparation and hanging is essential.
You can explore and buy the full range of Arte wallpaper online at TM Interiors Limited, including natural and textured designs, with samples and suitable wallpaper adhesive available.
Copyright Arte
Step-by-Step: How To Hang Natural Wallpaper
- Prepare the wall and check the material. The wall must be dry, clean, slightly absorbent and smooth. Fill and sand any cracks or holes and remove loose paint. Check the reference and batch numbers on all rolls to ensure they match before you start.
- Open and inspect the wallpaper. Carefully open the box and read the hanging instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Arte boxes are designed so they can be used as an unrolling device. Roll out a length on a clean surface and check for any faults or damage.
- Plan the layout and starting point. Measure the width of a drop and plan how the drops will fall across the wall. With natural products, visible joins between drops and slight shade variation are normal and form part of the authentic look. For the best, balanced result, allocate the drops symmetrically and usually start in the middle of the wall.
- Mark a vertical guideline. Use a short strip of the wallcovering as a guide to visualise where each drop will sit. Draw a perfectly vertical line (with a level, plumb line or laser) at your chosen starting point so the first drop hangs straight.
- Measure and cut the drops. Measure the height of the wall and cut each drop to length, adding around 10 cm extra to allow for trimming at the ceiling and skirting. Mark the top of each drop on the back. All drops should be hung in the same direction unless the instructions state otherwise.
- Pre-moisten the natural wallpaper. Evenly moisten the back of the drop with a clean sponge and cold water to make the material more pliable. Fold the ends towards the centre and then fold again, so the edges are protected. Let the drops rest for a few minutes so the moisture can soak in.
- Paste the wall with suitable adhesive. Use Arte Clearpro or another high quality adhesive suitable for natural wallcoverings. Stir well and pour into a bucket. Brush adhesive along the ceiling and skirting, then use a microfibre roller to apply adhesive to the wall, approximately 10 cm wider than the drop on each side. Spread the adhesive evenly and avoid thick ridges.
- Hang the first drop. Open out the moistened drop, wiping away excess water if needed. Roll it loosely with the back facing out, keeping your "top" mark visible. Offer the drop up to the pasted wall, aligning the edge with your vertical line and leaving a small excess at both top and bottom. Avoid getting adhesive on the face of the natural material.
- Smooth and trim neatly. Press the wallcovering to the wall with a rubber roller or smoothing tool, working from the centre towards the edges. Press firmly along the ceiling and skirting with a corner roller or spatula. Trim the excess at the top and bottom using a sharp snap-off knife against a spatula, always cutting on the side of the waste. Use a fresh blade for each cut where possible. Clean the ceiling and skirting after each drop and keep the surface of the wallcovering clean.
- Hang the next drops edge-to-edge. Apply adhesive to the wall for the next length and position the second drop carefully against the first, edge-to-edge. Press it firmly into the adhesive and ensure the join is neat. Use a seam roller lightly on the seam, being careful not to squeeze adhesive onto the face. Trim top, bottom and in any corners as before, then repeat for the third drop and check the overall result.
- Work into inside corners. For an internal corner, measure the remaining wall width and transfer this measurement to the next drop, cutting it a few centimetres wider. Hang the drop so it overlaps slightly onto the adjoining wall and press it well into the corner before trimming the excess at skirting, ceiling and in the corner itself. This helps maintain a straight finish even where the corner is not perfectly true.
- Finish outside corners and complete the room. At an external corner, position the drop against the previous one and make a small incision at top and bottom. Lightly score the back along the fold line to make folding easier, then wrap the drop around the corner and press firmly with a corner roller. Trim surplus at the top, bottom and on the return wall. Continue around the room using the same method, always checking that the appearance of the joins and shading is acceptable as you go.
Working With Natural & Grasscloth Wallpapers
Natural wallpapers such as grasscloth, sisal, abaca and bark are handcrafted and inherently irregular. Visible seams between drops, slight shade differences and panel effects are normal and should be expected as part of the look, not as faults. Always hang several drops and step back to view the wall as you go.
For other specialist wallcoverings – such as textile, non-woven or 3D designs – you can explore our other video guides and articles in the Wallpaper Guide, or browse designer ranges from Arte wallcoverings online.
TM Interiors would always recommend you seek the advice of a professional decorator or experienced wallcovering installer, particularly for natural and grasscloth wallpapers. These notes and videos are intended as a general guide only, and we cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arise from following them.