3 Tips for Hanging Wallpaper around Curves for Apprentice Painters

As an apprentice painter, hanging wallpaper to a wall might seem like one of those easy do-it-yourself gigs. Well, it is the case until you unpack the paper and start figuring out what side goes where. Without the right approach, wallpaper hanging can be challenging. It is especially the case if you are working around a curve such as a round window or a circular picture frame. While some of the techniques of applying wallpaper on a flat surface apply when working around curves, some are methods unique to the latter areas. This article highlights tips for achieving the perfect wallpaper layout on curved wall sections. 

Use Release Cuts -- When hanging wallpaper around curves, people get tempted to press the paper on the edge of the curvature then use a razor to cut the unwanted overlap. While this might work, you are bound to pull the wallpaper away from the sides of the wall, which will leave you with stretch marks on the surface of the wallpaper. To prevent unsightly marks, make periodic notches or release cuts along the overlap on the edge of the wallpaper. As you do so, make sure that the cuts don't go too close to the point where the wallpaper meets the edge of the curvature. Doing so allows you to tuck the wallpaper around the curve gently without having to pull the paper toward the obstacle. 

Smoothen Towards Release Cuts and Not Away -- Once you have the release cuts, don't cut out the overlap yet. You need to smooth down the wallpaper to remove any air bubbles. Since you are dealing with a curved edge, you need to smooth down the paper towards the direction of the release cuts. It ensures that you remove all air bubbles, and it also leaves you with a nice edge around the curve. If you were hanging the wallpaper on a flat surface, you would get away with smoothening in any direction. However, if you do this on curves, you might mistakenly catch the strips on the release cuts and tear the wallpaper.   

Protect the Wallpaper -- With the edges nice and smooth, it's time to cut the strips off. Make sure that you protect the wallpaper section on the wall before you begin cutting, however. Place a rigid flat plastic board against the wall to protect the wallpaper behind. Then cut along the edge of the curvature carefully to pull the strips. As you cut the unwanted overlap section, ensure that you slide the plastic board along the razor's path to keep the wallpaper protected at all times. It will leave you with seamlessly trimmed wallpaper that is flush with the curvature of the obstacle.

Reach out to other painters in the area for more tips.