How to Apply (and Remove) Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper the Right Way

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a beautiful, easy way to refresh your home. It offers the same stylish look as the traditional variety but sticks to surfaces with an adhesive backing, so you can peel it right off when you’re ready for a change.

However, in order to achieve a professional appearance, it’s important to properly apply this wallpaper—and prep your space accordingly. Here, we tapped three experts for a step-by-step guide on how to apply (and remove) peel-and-stick wallpaper for an effortlessly elegant finish.

What You'll Need

• Peel-and-stick wallpaper
• Tape measure
• Level
• Sharp scissors or a utility knife
• Plastic squeegee or a standard wallpaper smoother
• Pencil
• Damp cloth with warm water

Clean Your Space

You'll want to make sure your wall is flat, even, and clean before applying any wallpaper.

"If there's any dust or debris from other projects that you’re working on, then it'll be harder to make it adhere," says Emily Shaw, an interior designer and DIY content creator. "I like to wipe down a wall with some mild detergent and water or use a microfiber cloth to make sure it's dust-free."

Textural blemishes on the wall will also show up through the paper. "It’s best to repair any imperfections by patching with drywall spackling paste," says Rachel Mae Smith, a DIY blogger and the author of Colorful Living. "Let dry, then slightly sand until your wall is smooth to the touch."

Measure and Plan

Measure the width and height of your wall to determine how many panels of wallpaper to use. This will also ensure that the wallpaper pattern lines up correctly.

Yamil Asis, CEO of Parfait Wallpaper Services and a professional installer, recommends using a level. After doing so, mark light guidelines with a pencil, which will help get your first strip perfectly straight.

"Keep the marks minimal since some peel-and-stick papers can show pencil lines through the material," he says.

Start at the Corner

Position your first panel at the top edge of your ceiling or at the highest point, then smooth it downward along your guideline. "The placement of the first piece is crucial for the rest of the application, so take your time and use a level," Smith says.

Shaw's favorite starting point is the upper left corner of a wall. "Remove a little bit of the backing, and stick it in place with some extra overhang on the ceiling," she says.

Peel and Smooth

It's important not to remove all of the backing at once. "Peel off a small section at the top, stick it on, then continue peeling and smoothing as you go," Asis says.

As you peel, smooth the wallpaper downward with a squeegee or plastic card. "The good news is that you can have a few attempts—you can peel and re-stick if needed as you’re applying," Smith notes.

It's a good idea to push out air bubbles from the center. "Avoid smoothing the lower portion before the upper area is firmly in place, or you might trap bubbles," Asis adds.

Trim Excess Paper

Once your first panel is applied, Shaw suggests removing any excess wallpaper with a box cutter. You can also use a utility knife or putty knife to trim along the ceiling and baseboards.

Line Up Successive Panels

Use painter's tape to line up the second panel's pattern with the previous one. "This helps make everything go much faster!" Shaw says. "Depending on the intricacy of the pattern and the flexibility of the wallpaper, sometimes removing portions of the backing horizontally can help match up the pattern."

After, repeat the peeling, smoothing, and trimming steps.

Work Around Outlets and Windows

Remove any outlet cover plates. "I like to start by laying the panel normally, and once I get to that area, I’ll make a small hole in the wallpaper right in the center of where the outlet will go—and continue trying to lay it flat," Shaw says.

Then, use a box cutter to trim out the area and add the cover back on top to hide any imperfections. "This removes any need for measuring and makes it precise every time," she adds.

For windows, Asis suggests using a laser level to keep lines straight. Trim any overhang around the frame with a sharp utility knife.

Smooth out Remaining Air Bubbles

You may still find stubborn air bubbles in your wallpaper after applying it. For this, Shaw suggests using a very small tool to prick a hole in the bubble—she uses a Cricut Weeding tool. "Then, use your card or squeegee over it, and it should vanish," she says.

How to Remove

Asis suggests using warm water or a mild soapy solution to soften the adhesive of peel-and-stick wallpaper. If a panel still feels stuck, you can poke small holes through it and apply a product like the EZ Hang Peel & Stick Activator to help loosen the glue. Alternatively, you can apply heat with a blow-dryer or a handheld steamer to warm up the adhesive.

Then, go slowly and peel at an angle. "Start from a corner and pull gently," Asis says. "Good-quality peel-and-stick usually comes off in large sections without too much residue."

Finally, clean your walls with a mild solution. "Stay away from harsh chemicals that could damage the paint," Asis says. Check whether the wall needs touch-ups or filler once clean.