How To Hang Textile Wallpaper
In this video tutorial, luxury Belgian brand Arte wallpaper demonstrate how to hang textile wallpaper on a non-woven backing using the paste-the-wall method. Textile wallcoverings are essentially textured wallpapers for home interiors, made from natural fibres, man-made yarns, or a mix of both. They can also be paper-backed fabrics, giving a soft, upholstered wall finish.
You can explore our full range of textile wallpapers online, including the complete Arte wallcoverings collection.
Copyright Arte
In the video, Arte show the complete process for hanging a textile wallcovering from start to finish – from checking the rolls and planning the drops, through to pasting the wall, hanging the fabric and finishing corners neatly. Below is a simplified step-by-step summary for reference.
Step-by-Step: How To Hang Textile Wallpaper
- Prepare the wall. The wall must be dry, smooth, slightly absorbent and clean. Fill and sand any cracks or holes, remove flaking paint and ensure you have a sound, even surface before you start.
- Check rolls and read the instructions. Confirm that all rolls have the same product reference and batch number to avoid colour variation. Open the Arte box carefully, read the supplied hanging instructions, and use the box as a simple unrolling device as shown in the video.
- Measure and cut the drops. On a clean surface, unroll the textile wallcovering with the face side up and check for any faults. Measure the wall height and cut the required drops, allowing around 10 cm extra at the top and bottom for trimming. Mark the top of each drop on the back so every length is hung the same way.
- Plan your starting point and mark a plumb line. Use a roll-width as a quick guide to see how the drops will fall across the wall, then measure accurately. Start with the second drop out from a corner for a cleaner finish. Draw a perfectly vertical line (using a level, plumb line or laser) where the first drop edge will sit.
- Use the correct adhesive and paste the wall. Use Arte Clearpro or another high-quality textile wallcovering adhesive. Stir well and pour into a bucket. Brush adhesive around the ceiling line and skirting board, then use a microfibre roller to coat the wall one drop-width plus about 10 cm extra on each side. The adhesive should be applied evenly and sufficiently thick.
- Hang the first textile wallpaper drop. Take the first drop, ensuring your top mark is at the ceiling end. Offer it up to the pasted wall, aligning the edge with your vertical line and leaving a small excess at top and bottom. Avoid getting adhesive on the textile face.
- Smooth and trim carefully. Press the wallcovering onto the wall with a rubber roller or smoothing tool, working from the centre outwards. Press firmly at the ceiling and skirting using a corner roller or spatula, then trim the excess along the edge of a spatula with a sharp snap-off knife. Use a fresh blade for each cut to avoid fraying the textile surface. Wipe the ceiling and skirting clean after each drop.
- Hang the next drops edge-to-edge. Paste the wall for the second drop, then position it carefully against the first so the edges meet neatly. Press the drop into the adhesive and roll the seam with a seam roller, taking care not to squeeze adhesive onto the face of the textile. Trim top, bottom and in the corner as before.
- Continue along the wall and around corners. Install the third drop in the same way, then check the overall result before continuing. When you reach the next corner, draw another vertical line on the adjoining wall, paste it (avoiding adhesive on the finished drops) and place the next length to that plumb line. Trim away excess at the top, bottom and in the corner.
- Finish the room and clean down. Continue hanging drops around the room following the same process. Keep the textile surface clean and dry as you work, and lightly protect finished sections while you complete the rest of the installation.
Choosing and Using Textile Wallcoverings
Textile wallcoverings cover a wide range of finishes. Popular options include:
- Silk wallpapers – hand-woven silks with natural slubs and subtle sheen that give a distinctive, luxurious look.
- Linen wallpapers – high quality flax yarns for a relaxed, naturally textured finish.
- Grasscloth wallpapers – woven from sisal, jute, reeds or other natural grasses for a highly textural, organic feel.
Most modern textile wallcoverings are supplied on a non-woven backing, which means they are designed for the paste-the-wall method rather than traditional paste-the-paper hanging. If you"re working with other non-woven designs, see our How To Hang Non Woven Wallpaper video and our Guide on Pasting Wallcoverings.
You can explore our rich library of textile wallcoverings online at TM Interiors, including silk, linen and grasscloth designs from leading manufacturers such as Arte Wallcoverings.
TM Interiors would always recommend you seek the advice of a professional decorator or experienced wallcovering installer, particularly for textile and speciality wallpapers. These videos and notes are intended as a general guide only, and we cannot be held responsible for any issues that may arise from following them.