How to Hang a Non-Woven Wallpaper Mural — Step-by-Step Guide

Hanging a non-woven wallpaper mural — the short answer

The paste is rolled directly onto the wall (not onto the wallpaper), the dry strip is positioned from the top and smoothed from the centre towards the edges. Nothing needs soaking, no waiting time. It is the easiest installation of all wallpaper types — two people with no experience can paper a 3 × 2.5 m wall in about an hour.

What you need — the tool list

A basic kit is enough: paste for non-woven wallpaper (about 200 g per 5 m²), a paint roller for applying it, a wallpaper smoother or soft spatula for smoothing, a sharp snap-off utility knife, a spirit level or plumb line, a pencil, a tape measure and a clean cloth for excess paste.

Step 1: Prepare the wall

The wall should be smooth, dry, clean and uniform in colour. Fill larger holes, and prime fresh plaster or drywall. A dark or colourful wall is best painted white first — with light designs, non-woven material can let the background colour show through slightly.

Step 2: Mark a plumb line

Walls and corners are rarely perfectly straight. Measure the width of the first strip minus 2 cm from the corner and draw a vertical line with the spirit level. Hang the first strip against this line, not against the corner — that keeps the whole design straight.

Step 3: Apply the paste to the wall

Spread the paste evenly with the roller, slightly wider than one strip. Only apply as much as you can cover within 10–15 minutes — the paste must not dry before the wallpaper goes on.

Step 4: Position the strip from the top

Leave 2–3 cm of overhang at the ceiling, position the dry strip and work it downwards, pressing it on by hand. Non-woven does not stretch and does not bubble — small corrections are possible, and a freshly positioned strip can be carefully repositioned.

Step 5: Smooth it out and remove air bubbles

Smooth the strip with the wallpaper smoother from the centre towards the edges, pushing the air out. Wipe excess paste off the edges immediately with a damp cloth — once dried, it leaves marks.

Step 6: Further strips and trimming

Hang the following strips edge to edge (not overlapping), matching up the design. Finally, trim the overhang at the ceiling, floor and corners with the sharp snap-off knife guided along the smoother. Cut out openings for sockets once the paste has dried slightly.

The most common wallpapering mistakes

Three things spoil the result most often: starting from the corner without a plumb line (the design drifts with every strip), too little paste at the edges (the edges lift after drying) and a blunt blade (it tears the damp material instead of cutting it — snap off the blade after every longer cut).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which paste for a non-woven wallpaper mural?
Any paste made for non-woven wallpaper, mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use paste for paper wallpaper — it is too thin.

Can I hang the wallpaper mural on my own?
With strips up to 100 cm wide — yes. With wider strips it is more comfortable to work in pairs: one person holds the strip at the top, the other guides and smooths it.

How long does the wall mural take to dry?
About 24 hours. Avoid draughts and strong heating during this time — drying too quickly can cause lifting edges.

Can non-woven wall murals be hung over old paint?
Over sound, non-chalking, matt paint — yes. Wash off or sand back chalking or flaking coats first and prime the wall.