Changing wallpaper can feel complex, but following a pro playbook turns dusty removal and precise installation into a smooth upgrade.
Prep sets the stage
Great wallpaper starts long before the first sheet unrolls. You begin by checking light, humidity and wall condition, then plan how seams will flow around doors and built-ins. A luxury wallcovering installer always protects floors, removes switch plates and smooths every bump so the paper sits flat and crisp. Prime walls with the correct sealer: matte acrylic for grasscloth, pigmented shellac for murals that might bleed. Measure twice, cut once, then label your drops so patterns match along the entire run. I once watched a DIYer skip primer and their silk mural bubbled within days, turning a dream room into a costly redo. Save yourself that headache by investing time in prep or hiring a seasoned crew. Their tools - broad knives, smoothing brushes and laser levels - keep edges tight and corners sharp. When the foundation is flawless, hanging even tricky metallic grasscloth feels simple and the finish lasts for years. Before moving on, vacuum drywall dust so paste bonds properly, tape off trim to prevent splatter and stage clean water for your sponges. These tiny steps create luxury results.
Choose smart removal steps
Old paper must exit gracefully before new designs arrive. Start by testing a hidden corner with warm water and a scoring wheel; if the facing loosens easily you likely have strippable vinyl. When it clings, mix enzyme remover in a pump sprayer and work top to bottom, keeping walls wet but not soaked. A wallpaper stripping service brings steamers that soften paste faster and reduce gouges. Scrape in shallow strokes, always moving the blade outward so plaster stays smooth. Collect debris in contractor bags as you go to keep the room safe and tidy. Need to clear layers of 90s vinyl without gouging the plaster? Rent a steamer for a day and invite a friend to run lifts while you catch sheets at the baseboard. After vinyl wallpaper removal wipe walls with trisodium phosphate, then rinse twice and let everything dry overnight. Sand light fuzz, fill nicks with setting compound and finish with primer. Thoughtful removal shortens install time and preserves wall health. Set a phone timer for each soak cycle so paper never dries while you scrape another panel.
Install with boutique flair
With clean primed walls you can focus on artistry. Decide where the eye should land first: many homeowners pick the chimney breast or headboard wall for a feature wall mural install. Lay out panels on the floor and dry fit patterns so imagery aligns perfectly at eye height. Mark a true vertical plumb line using a laser rather than trusting the corner, then brush paste from center to edges to avoid air pockets. For custom wallpaper installation a luxury wallcovering installer might pre-trim and number each drop at the workshop, saving you hours on site. Use a soft smoothing brush, working from middle to edges, then chase bubbles with a plastic spatula. Keep seams tight by booking the paper - fold paste to paste - letting it relax for the manufacturer’s recommended minutes before hanging. Wipe glue immediately with damp natural sponges so metallic inks stay bright. Once everything is up, roll seams lightly with a vinyl wheel and fit trim pieces back. Finally adjust lighting; wall sconces angled down accentuate texture like silk weave or grasscloth while hiding minor joints. Friends will assume your room came straight from a boutique hotel.
Bottom line: Hire pros who strip clean and hang smart to give your walls luxury longevity.