Removable Wallpaper: Would You Go There?

via Chasing Paper

Removable wallpaper is the thing in home decor right now. Whether you have dark, repressed memories of removing wallpaper and swearing you’d never use the stuff, or you rent and don’t want anything permanent on the walls, this stuff is a godsend.

Removable Wallpaper Pros:

Instead of using glue to adhere the paper to the wall, removable wallpaper is backed with a low-tack adhesive. Simply peel and stick! Amazing, huh?

Also, if you get it a little crooked, just peel it off and do it again. It adheres best to clean walls painted with eggshell, satin or semi-gloss paint that is four weeks old or older.

If you’re considering using this amazing answer to a decorator’s prayers, here are a few questions to ask to see if it’s right for you. Transform your room with these cheap peel and stick wallpapers.

Plus: Learn about another trend with interior walls: ombre wallpaper.

This isn’t like the wallpaper from years past?

If you have nightmares from the time you thought you could paint a room in a day and it took three days to get the old, ugly wallpaper off the walls, give removable wallpaper a chance. It probably sounds too good to be true, but removing this stuff is as easy as lifting a corner and peeling in a downward motion. As you know, traditional wallpaper is not that friendly. So if you need to get rid of it, learn how to remove wallpaper easily with these tips.

Are you renting?

Renters love removable wallpaper because it can come down before you move and leaves no damage behind. If you want to reuse it, simply save the paper backing when you hang it, be very careful when removing it and stick it back on the paper for storage.

Do you redecorate often?

Removable wallpaper is perfect for fickle decorators. You know the type, everything has to be earth tones in the fall and pastel in the spring. They alternately love and hate florals. Or, they just want everything to look trendy. If this describes you, you owe it to yourself to check out removable wallpaper.

Removable Wallpaper Cons:

There aren’t many cons to using removable wallpaper. However, it’s tricky to use on deeply textured walls like brick and some plasters and adheres best in bathrooms with good ventilation. If you choose to paint those walls, instead, make sure to prepare your walls for long-lasting coverage.

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Removable Wallpaper DIY Project:

1. Gather your tools—tape measure, smoothing tool, razor blade knife, screwdriver, step ladder, and a helper.
2. Unroll the removable wallpaper and let sit until flat. This could take up to an hour. (Hint, weigh it down with books or other heavy objects, but don’t crease or wrinkle it.)
3. Prepare the space by moving furniture, removing outlet or switch plate covers and patching holes.
4. Measure. It helps to sketch the wall to show where your panels will go.
5. Cut the panels a few inches larger than you will need.
6. Apply the first panel to a corner at the top of the wall by peeling the backing from just the top portion. Once you have it aligned, peel it away 2 to 3 feet at a time using your smoothing tool as you go to remove any air bubbles.
7. Hang the rest of your panels. Again, peel the backing from just the end and take care to match the pattern in the next panel. Once you have it positioned correctly, peel and smooth as you go.
8. Remove any excess. Use your razor knife for precision cuts along the ceiling and baseboards.
9. Replace electrical plates and furniture.
10. Invite over a few friends and enjoy their ooohhhs and aaahhhs!

Find removable wallpaper online or at your local Lowes, The Home Depot or from online retailers such as Chasing Paper.

Check out this removable wallpaper with chalkboard finish—perfect for a kid’s room—available on Amazon. Other quick home upgrades that deliver big results include painting kitchen cabinets, touching up scratched woodwork and installing closet organizers.

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