How to Hang Wallpaper Around the Windows of Your Cincinnati Home

Wallpaper is coming back into style. Modern designs feature bold, geometric patterns and sometimes even raised features. Applying wallpaper to a flat wall in your Cincinnati home is not overly challenging and is certainly a project you can tackle on your ownwithout the help of a contractor or interior designer. However, you may be a bit perplexed when you reach the windows! Navigating around the corners and getting a clean edge requires some attention to detail, but it’s not overly difficult if you follow these steps.

Step 1: Wet and prepare the sheet of paper

Remove any drapes or window treatments. Measure the length from your ceiling to the floor, and cut your roll of wallpaper to this length. If you’ve already been wallpapering up to the window, this sheet should be cut to the same length as the ones you’ve already cut. Moisten the back of your cut sheet of paper with a damp sponge.

Step 2: Apply the paper gently to the wall

Carefully position the paper on the wall of your Cincinnati home, being sure to line the seam up perfectly with the sheet next to it. The paper should slide over your wall easily, thanks to the moistened paste. Press the paper against the wall, allowing it to bulge over the window for the time being. Just make sure the top, bottom, and the side next to the already-hung paper are in the proper place.

Step 3: Make your relief cuts

With the wallpaper loosely stuck to the wall but bulging over the window, use a pair of scissors to make a “relief cut” in the bulging area. Cut diagonally from the edge of the paper towards the upper corner of the window. Do not cut all of the way to the edge of the window. Do the same thing at the bottom of the window, cutting diagonally towards the edge of the window frame.

The relief cuts just make it possible to lift the paper up from the window. Use your fingers to press the wallpaper firmly against the raised edge of the window frame. Then, use your smoother to smooth the sheet of wallpaper down, removing any air pockets. Smooth all of the way to the window. Use the edge of the smoother to press the paper firmly into the groove between the window and the wall.

Step 4: Cut away your excess

With the wallpaper pressed firmly into the groove along the window, use a sharp blade to cut the wallpaper straight against the window. Press hard enough to go through the paper, but not so hard that you dig into the window frame. Change your blade every couple of cuts to make sure you’re working with a fresh blade each time.

If the wallpaper lifts up at all while you’re cutting, use your seam roller to press it back onto the wall surface. When the wallpaper is in place, use your wipe cloth to wipe away any extra paste. Then, repeat the steps above to wallpaper around the rest of the window, using a second piece of wallpaper.

If you are thinking of replacing your windows, it’s best to do it before you hang wallpaper around windows. Contact Renewal by Andersen to schedule your free, in-home consultation. We can help you select windows that match your Cincinnati home decor, including your new wallpaper.