Designing your own wallpaper pattern ensures a unique look to your decor. You will love it and make sure that the wallpaper is really 100% yourself. There are several methods you can use to become an artist yourself. Which one is right for you?
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using Cloth
Step 1. Wash off the dirt or clean the wall you want to decorate
Clean cloths and general-purpose cleaning agents can be used for this. Let the walls dry for about a day before you cover them.
If you don't have an all-purpose cleaner, you can also use soap and water
Step 2. Measure the height of the walls from floor to ceiling
Add an extra 5cm to the height to add more fold space when you attach it to the wall. This is especially necessary for walls of unusual shape and walls with windows.
Measure the width too. If you use panels, this is very important. Make sure the width of the wall doesn't leave your last panel at a ridiculous width; if this is the case, you may have to make a few slices to flatten it out
Step 3. Cut the fabric of your choice to a suitable length to make a panel
You have two options here: one large panel to cover your entire wall or several panels that are next to each other. If you choose the second option, make sure you match the design to the fabric to maintain the proper pattern before cutting the next panel.
Alternatively, cut the fabric into panels that match the width of the wall. For example, if your walls are 60 inches wide, make five panels 12 inches wide. The main advantage of this (if not the only advantage) is that the panels will be easier to use and symmetrical. However, you also still have to pay attention to the edges and arrangement
Step 4. Pour the flour into a clean frying pan and start at the top of the wall
These are things that turn your normal everyday fabrics stiffer so they can be used as wallpaper. Use a sponge or paint roller to apply flour to the top half of your wall. A thin, even layer is best. Try to minimize the drip.
Do this only if you have time to install your panels afterwards. Don't do this if you have to leave so when you come back the walls are dry and need to be floured again
Step 5. Start slowly by spreading your cut fabric over the flour from the top of the wall
This is easiest to do with at least two people; with one adjusting the placement while the other flattening the air bubbles behind the fabric.
Leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fabric at the ceiling. Temporarily secure the fabric with pins while you allow the flour to dry
Step 6. Continue flouring and smoothing the fabric along the wall
Once the top half is done, spread some flour on the bottom half of the wall and begin to flatten the fabric in a slow downward motion. Leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fabric at the bottom edge of the wall.
- If there is a window or door on the wall, leave an extra 2 inches (5 cm) of fabric around it as well.
- If you are pairing multiple panels, make sure the side edges are to your liking. It may take you a minute to adjust, but the effect of this is to last forever so you don't regret it later.
Step 7. Spread the flour evenly onto the fabric itself
Do not worry; the flour will be absorbed and will not change the appearance of your wallpaper. As the flour dries, it will dissipate and cause your fabric to thicken. Again, spread the flour evenly in a thin layer.
Brush or smooth out any wrinkles and air bubbles in the fabric as you apply it. All the wrinkles and air bubbles will be obvious and can mess up the look you want
Step 8. Wait for the cloth to dry completely
After that, trim off the excess fabric at the top and bottom of the walls and around windows or doors. For the record, it's easier to make hard straight lines with a cardboard cutter or a sharp knife than scissors.
And, done! Enjoy your new, wallpaper-covered wall
Method 2 of 5: Using Stencil Patterns
Step 1. Choose a stencil design, an accent color for the design, and a wall color
Paint the walls with your chosen background color if needed. If your walls are a good color, you can skip this step and go straight to installing the stencil.
To paint the walls, mark all the edges with paint tape. If the color is dark, coat it with a primary color first, let it dry, then paint it the color you want. If the color is light, you may be able to coat the paint with a new color right away
Step 2. Decide how you will position your stencil to form the wallpaper pattern
The only limit here is your imagination; are you going to shape it into just a line of stencils? Creating curly shapes? Covering every inch of your walls? Once you've determined, use some paint tape to keep the stencil in place at the beginning of your pattern.
Consider the time and difficulty of the concept you are planning thoroughly. You may want to paint the Mona Lisa on your wall, but of course this can be messy and very time consuming. When you're in doubt, keep things simple
Step 3. Dip the tip of the stencil brush into the paint of your accent color
Apply the brush to a paper towel to remove excess paint. If you want, you can mix several colors together to get an interesting and unique look.
There are special stencil paints, you're right. This paint does not drip like wall paint. So that means, this paint is sold in small packages. If you're using stencils all over the wall, then it might make more financial sense to buy a large can of paint and use it with great care
Step 4. Apply the brush to the exposed areas of your stencil design
Start slowly and apply small strokes of color inside the stencil; this method is called stippling. Hold the stencil in place around the area you are painting to create sharp lines in your design.
If you're using multiple colors, coat all areas with your first color before moving on to the second. This will make your job easier and faster
Step 5. Explore the four points of connection of the stencil with a pencil after painting
After you have finished your first stencil, lightly mark the edges with a pencil to indicate the previous position. Then, when you take it off the wall, you'll know where it was before and where to put the next image.
Step 6. Align these connecting points as you move the stencil to the next position on your pattern
If your stencil touches an angle, use the connection points to make sure that it is positioned correctly. Check for even placement using the lever.
Once flat, stick it back in its new position using paint tape on each edge. However, make sure you don't put tape over the stencil beforehand; because this stencil may still need some time to dry
Step 7. Paint the rest of the pattern and move the stencil along the wall as needed
Let the pattern grab the edges of the wall and make the necessary adjustments to produce the perfect wallpaper look.
If you make a mistake at a point and don't have the right color available, color the stencil with paint. This is only a minor nuisance to the process; and your pattern won't break if you handle it properly
Method 3 of 5: Using Decorative Paper
Step 1. Measure your wall to determine how many sheets of paper you will need
Once you've determined the type of paper you want and know the sizes available, measure your wall from top to bottom and the sides. How many sheets of paper will you need?
If it's not level, you have to decide what you're going to do. For example, your walls are 60 inches wide and your papers are 11 inches wide. Do you want to use 5 sheets of 11 inch wide and 1 5 inch wide paper, or 6 sheets of 10 inch wide paper? This is usually determined by how you want the edges to look
Step 2. Align your paper on the floor the way you want it to be on the wall
Unless you're using plain paper without a pattern, you'll need to know which sheets to put somewhere and how to lay them out before you actually attach them. The edges that touch must be perfectly side by side; otherwise, cut them to size or stack them on top of each other (depending on your preference). Spread it on the floor to get an idea of how these papers will look on the wall.
Sometimes using a tiled view can be useful. It is up to you; do you want it to appear as a cohesive pattern or a combination of small patterns?
Step 3. Place double-sided tape on all edges of the paper
Once all the sheets are spread out on the floor, turn them over and apply double-sided tape on each edge. Start at one corner and work your way up.
Don't cross a corner. If you do this, you may end up with a piece of paper fringing sticking out of the wall, and this is definitely not a great look for your interior decorating style
Step 4. Begin placing the sheets, peeling off the edges of the tape
When you attach a sheet of paper to the wall, start peeling off one sheet of tape and pressing the paper evenly as you attach it to the wall. Once this sheet is attached, peel off the rest of the tape and smooth the side. Exfoliating one at a time will remove any air bubbles and ensure that your paper sticks firmly to the wall.
Adjust as needed. Your tape may move the paper slightly, but it will have a big impact on your overall pattern. In cases like this, make adjustments. There's a reason why you use paper on the walls instead of paint
Step 5. Continue laying out the sheets until you're done
Again, start at one corner and work your way up to make sure your pattern is cohesive and easier to place. If there is excess paper at the edges, use scissors or a cardboard cutter and trim it. Then, you're done. Very easy, right?
If you make a few mistakes, don't worry. Just cut out the dimensions where your mistakes are or leave them piling up. An exact knife and ruler can be used to make repairs, but chances are no one will notice the state of the buildup if you decide to go this lazy route
Method 4 of 5: Using Book Pages
Step 1. Cut the pages from a book
Imagine how cool it would be if your walls were lined with the pages of your favorite book. Interesting right? If you can part with a copy of a book, do so. Get a cardboard cutter or an exact knife and cut the pages of the book close to the binding. You have got instant wallpaper in this way.
When you're done, look at the size of the pages. Are they different from each other? If so, cut them all to the same size. This means there is no rule that everything must be the same size. You can even use several books that all have pages of different sizes. It all depends on what you want a tile-like or collage-like look to do
Step 2. Measure your pages and walls
How big are the papers you use? Now, how big is your didning? This process will be a lot easier if you don't have to stop halfway to cut more paper (or even buy another book). Knowing your measurements ahead of time will help you determine if you should cut them in a different size.
Let's say your wall is 70 inches wide and 90 inches high. Your papers are 7 inches wide and 10 inches high. In terms of length, they all fit perfectly: there are 9 sheets of paper at 10 inches long, for a total of 90. But for the width, do you want to use 11 sheets 7 inches wide and one sheet 3 inches wide, or do you want to flatten them all down? 5 inches to get the perfect look, or even 6.75 inches to define the “in the center” look?
Step 3. Plan your design
Chances are no two pages are the same, so how do you want your wall finish to look? Set up a large empty area (like a large table or floor), and start arranging your papers the way you want them. You won't regret the time you spent on this later when you realize that none of the parts overlap.
Since you are working on free pages now, turn off the fan and airflow; or you have to use a lot of paperweights
Step 4. Rub the back of these pages with wallpaper glue and stick them
Do one at a time, dab the back of the page and place it on the wall. Start at an angle to make it easier to spread. Don't glue multiple papers at once; Don't let the glue dry and be wasted.
After each page, take a second to make sure everything is structured correctly. If not, you still have time to adjust it before the glue dries
Step 5. Reinforce with surface coating
Once you have all the pages pasted on the wall to your liking, you're almost done. Now all you have to do is strengthen it with a transparent and anti-yellowing surface coating. Coat the entire area with an even layer, let it dry, then you're done.
Technically, you can even apply colored coatings or spray glitter. It is up to you
Method 5 of 5: Using Contact Paper
Step 1. Measure your wall to determine the amount of paper you will need
Most contact paper is sold in rolls 18 inches wide and 75 inches long. This means there is a grille on the back that can help you adjust to your needs easily. How big is your wall?
If you need to cut the width of the paper, get a cutting knife, exact knife, or cardboard cutter and use a grid on the back of the paper by following the lines. Unless you cut it into crazy shapes, this grid will make your job easier and keep you from needing a ruler
Step 2. Create a template for your design
Contact paper is sold in a variety of colors and patterns. However, if you are using white or strong colored contact paper, you can always add your own design on it. Now is the time to design your own wallpaper. What kind of look do you want?
Paint is the definite medium of choice, but you can use anything for your template; glitter, felt, washi tape, or whatever. With the right kind of glue, you can even decorate your wallpaper with a bell
Step 3. Paint or design your contact paper
Once you've determined the template (taking into account the paper's dimensions), start designing. Spread the paper on the floor or on a large, obstacle-free surface and get creative. This step is going to be the fun part!
Let each panel dry when you are done. Don't try to hang the panel right away; You'll need to leave the panels on for 3-4 hours before you can safely use them (this depends on your design of course)
Step 4. Gently peel off the back and place it on the wall, starting at the top (ask a friend for help)
In one of the top corners of your wall, position your paper with the back still together. Once the position is right, start peeling off the back slowly. While you are doing this and your friend is holding the paper, one of you should flatten the front of the paper while gluing it.
Continue down the wall slowly, in smooth tandem to peel off the back of the paper. Monitor your progress; it is very possible that the paper shifts left and right by accident
Step 5. Flatten all air bubbles and adjust as needed
As you proceed to the bottom of your panel, flatten out any air bubbles before you continue pasting. This is easiest to do with the help of a ruler or the edge of a straight object, although you can also use the edge of your hand. You'll be glad you took the time; because a wall full of air bubbles may not be the look you expect.
The best part about contact paper is that it is easy to remove. So if you realize you've made a mistake, immediately peel it off and put it back together. If you act quickly, most of the mistakes in this DIY project can be fixed quickly
Tips
- Ask the wallpaper seller if they have a service to make your own wallpaper for you. Designyourwall.com has a dedicated wallpaper collection from its art department and may be able to turn a personal image or a piece of art into wallpaper.
- Replace your fabric wallpaper by peeling the fabric from a corner of the wall and removing each panel. If needed, dampen the cloth with a damp sponge to make peeling easier.
