Using wallpaper is a great way to add personality and visual interest to a room. When it was time to decorate our oldest’s bedroom, I wanted a bold, fun forest mural. We’d used Photowall murals in our living room before and loved the quality and results, so I chose them again. Photowall makes installation simple with clear instructions, and you can customize the mural size and orientation to fit your room. They offer many designs, and you can even order sample pieces to try before you commit.
For our son’s room we picked Foggy Forest (available in several colorways). It’s a moody, dense forest image that creates a calm feel and will grow with him—he’s nine now and we wanted something that would still work as he moves into his pre-teen years. It’s atmospheric without being too dark and perfect for a nature-loving kid.
If you’re thinking of using wallpaper, here are steps to guide you through the process:
How to use wallpaper to transform a room:
1. Plan and visualize
Decide the overall look and mood you want. Browse designs, patterns, and colors for inspiration. Collect samples or make a mood board to see how the wallpaper will work with your furniture and colors.
2. Measure the walls
Measure the walls accurately to know how much wallpaper you’ll need. Include doors, windows, and any architectural features in your calculations.
3. Prepare the room
Remove old wallpaper, clean the walls, and repair any cracks or holes. Sand rough spots so the surface is smooth and dry before you start.
4. Gather supplies
Get the wallpaper, adhesive or paste (unless pre-pasted), a smoothing brush or squeegee, a sharp knife or scissors, a tape measure, and a plumb line or level. Use the adhesive recommended by the manufacturer. If you order from Photowall, they provide the needed supplies and adhesive.
5. Start from the left
Begin on the left side of the room. Use a plumb line or level to make sure the first strip is perfectly straight.
6. Hang the wallpaper
Align the first strip with the plumb line and smooth it from top to bottom, removing air bubbles with a brush or squeegee. Trim excess at the ceiling, baseboards, and corners.
7. Continue with the remaining strips
Match patterns and edges as you go. Apply adhesive as needed and smooth each strip carefully for a seamless finish.
8. Finishing touches
Check for bubbles or small flaws and smooth them out with a brush or a needle. Wipe away any extra adhesive with a damp sponge.
Let the wallpaper dry completely before moving furniture back or adding decor. We still have a few updates to finish in his room, but the mural already makes a big impact. It was easy to install and gave the room a real “wow” factor. Once we add new bedding, lights, and decor, it will feel complete.
Patience, attention to detail, and careful work will give you a beautiful result. Wallpaper can feel intimidating, but it’s a very doable DIY. I highly recommend Photowall—their selection is huge, the quality is excellent, and they make the process straightforward.
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