Installation guide
Preparation comes first!
1. Remove any nails or screws from the wall and fill in any holes with a quality multipurpose filler / spackle. Once dry, sand down to ensure you have a smooth and structurally sound surface.
2. Clean the wall using mild soap and water so that there is no dust, stains or mildew.
3. We recommend priming your wall for best results of installation and removal. Using a white primer is important for covering dark paint or marks on your wall which can show through the wallpaper and distort your mural.
Check your local DIY store for the appropriate primer for your wall type. This is particularly important for porous surfaces such as new plaster as they are very absorbent.
4. Freshly painted walls should be left four weeks before installation unless primed. Glossy paints should be sanded / keyed and primed as they can be resistant to adhesive.
5. Although it’s not necessary, removing plug sockets and light switches will allow you to tuck the wallpaper behind for a neater finish. Always turn off your electricity at the mains before removing.
Seek safety advice and use a certified tradesman.
If this is your first time installing a wallpaper mural and you aren’t feeling confident, you can send us a picture of your wall and we can give you tailored tips on your install.
If you still don’t feel confident, we suggest hiring a local decorator. We’ll can also help find a local decorator to save you the trouble.
It’s time to install
1. Unroll your mural and separate the panels by cutting along the dotted line.
The panels are labelled A, B, C and so on.
2. Lay out the panels in alphabetical order and check them for any defects or inconsistencies. It’s important to check your mural for any inconsistencies before installation. If you notice anything not quite right, do not install your mural and get in touch with us: hello@novelwalls.com
3. Mix your paste in the bucket and allow to sit while you prepare the next steps.
4. It is vital that the mural is hung straight on the wall. Using your pencil and tape measure, mark just under a width of a panel on the wall.
5. Now using the spirit level and straight edge, draw a faint vertical plumb line down your wall. This guide line will be used to hang the first panel.
6. Using the paste brush or roller, evenly apply a thin layer of ‘paste the wall’ / ‘non-woven’ wallpaper paste on the wall. Be sure not to miss any spots as this can cause bubbling and only paste just over a panel’s width at a time.
We recommend Solvite paste the wall adhesive or similar non-woven wallpaper paste. Follow the paste packet for further guidance.
7. Position panel A on your wall using the vertical plumb line. You will be installing level and straight, however most walls and ceilings are not straight so the starting point is very important. A margin of the print should overhang on the left wall, ceiling and skirting to compensate sloping walls and ceilings. This excess print will be trimmed later once dry.
8. Gently press the panel onto the wall from top to bottom, sliding it back into place if it’s moved away from the plumb line.
9. Once in position, use the smoothing tool to smooth down the panel. Pressing down to remove any bubbles, starting from the centre and working outwards. Press into the edges of the wall, ceiling and skirting boards to help with trimming later.
10. Apply more wallpaper paste, then position the panel B on the wall. Butt the panels firmly edge to edge without overlap, ensuring the design matches perfectly throughout the length of the panels before smoothing onto the wall.
11. Repeat steps 6-10 for the remaining panels until your wallpaper is fully installed.
12. Wipe away any excess paste immediately with a slightly damp sponge or soft cloth, being careful not to mark the print.
13. Using the straight edge and blade, trim away any excess at the top, bottom and sides. Make sure the blade is extremely sharp to avoid snagging during cutting. Snap off a fresh blade on a craft knife for each panel to ensure this.
14. The first 24 hours of drying time are important so allow the mural to dry in a well ventilated room with a stable ambient temperature.
Sit back and enjoy!
Step back and appreciate your handiwork, wow! Impressive, right?
We're always excited to see your finished spaces so don’t forget to show it off and share on socials!