Last Updated on November 4, 2021 by Kravelv
We all enjoy giving our homes a bit of a facelift- whether it’s trimming the hedge, painting the shed out back, or making our kitchens more comfortable. We are always doing something extra to get the most out of our homes. Who can blame us? We work so hard to keep them and should enjoy every nook in these spaces. So, if you’re thinking of installing temp wallpaper in your home, let’s guide you on how you should do it to ensure it’s a one-and-done job!
Why Temp Wallpaper Is Good for Your Home
If you’re already thinking of getting temp wallpaper, you probably know what a great option it is for your home. It is cost-effective as it takes away the need to hire professionals, plus it lasts long. Moreover, it’s easy to install and remove and does not damage the wall underneath. The deal gets even better. You’ve got a ton of varieties, starting from solid color wallpaper down to custom wallpaper. So, you never run out of options. Did we mention that it is highly versatile and can blend with any of the materials in your home? These are some of the reasons why using temp wallpaper may be the right choice for you.
Which Walls Can Handle Wallpaper?
While temp wallpaper comes with a range of benefits, it is not suitable for every surface. We recommend that you only hang this wallpaper on primed and painted surfaces in good condition. They should have a satin or semigloss finish. Anything else (including flat, low sheen, textured, exterior, and matte surfaces) is not a good idea. You end up with bubbles and face a great deal of trouble hanging the paper and keeping it in place.
What’s unique about these wall finishes?
Satin Finish
This finish is sometimes called eggshell. However, eggshell can also refer to a cross between a flat finish and a satin finish. It boasts a high sheen and is much stronger than flat paint. Moreover, it has high reflective properties that make its texture and hue much more noticeable. However, its shine is not too much that it takes over the room.
Homeowners especially love that this type of finish is easy to clean. For this reason, it’s common to come across this finish in kids’ rooms. We all know these spaces can get messy fast. It’s also popular in hallways, doors, gaming rooms, and other areas with high foot traffic.
Even so, this paint comes with the disadvantage of showing wall blemishes. But that’s nothing you cannot cover up with a good temp wallpaper. Did we mention that wallpapers also hide imperfections in your walls? They also act as a protective barrier between the walls and dirt. So, if you have kids and pets at home, you may want to consider this.
Semigloss Finish
Anyone looking for more durability can go with this semigloss finish that lasts way longer than a satin finish. No matter how often you clean it, you can count on it retaining its aesthetic each time. That’s why it’s so popular in bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms where hygiene standards require to be at optimum.
It also boasts high luster and has higher reflective properties compared to satin-finished walls. While this makes the paint stand out even more and makes the room feel airy, it comes with the disadvantage of highlighting blemishes. Thankfully, wallpapering the surface should hide any spots that you would rather keep hidden.
Where can you use such a finish? Almost everywhere. It’s handy in rooms with inadequate lighting. The bouncing of light makes them more comfortable and adds to their aesthetic. You can also use it in trims, kitchens, and bathrooms. But when using it as a base for your wallpaper, it will not matter where you use it. After all, you will paper over it.
Painting Your Walls
If your walls do not fall into satin or semigloss finishes, you may want to paint over them. Please note that if you paint your wall, you must wait at least 30 days before applying wallpaper to it. During that time, you might touch the wall and feel that it is dry. Even so, you should wait until the 30 days are over. Why? As the paint dries, it releases air and moisture into the environment. This process continues for about four weeks, and if you apply the wallpaper before it’s over, the air and moisture will end up inside the paper. Sometimes, this results in the formation of bubbles, which we can all agree are unsightly. In other cases, the wallpaper may fall off the wall, forcing you to start the papering all over again. Unfortunately, the gas and the moisture can have affected the adhesive, and you would have to get new paper. Please do not risk it. Instead, wait 30 days then you can start prepping your walls.
Prepping the Walls
First, you need to turn off the power in the room and ensure that there are no light switch plates and outlet covers getting in the way. You then need to clean the walls by wiping them down with a damp sponge. You can also use a cloth or any material that does not have an abrasive texture. Also, note that the cleaner should not be abrasive. You do not want anything that can eat away at the paint, which would leave parts of the wall exposed. Once the wall has been prepped, leave it be for at least 24 hours to give it enough time to dry completely. That will ensure that the adhesive in the paper can work. You can then get started on cutting out the wallpaper and applying it to the wall.
If you decide to use the wallpaper on surfaces other than those recommended above, you should start by sampling the paper of your choice. Leave it on the surface and see how it holds up, and you can make your decision based on this. If it does not work out, finish your wall with a satin or semigloss finish, and you will be good to go.
