Peel and Stick Wallpaper

One of my long term goals for Pinch Me, I’m Home was to offer my assistance and services to others. After having a few friends reach out for advice on various projects, I realized this might happen sooner than I anticipated.

A Birthday Surprise

I received a text from a good family friend the week after Christmas. Dynasy explained to me that they were in the process of redoing the bedroom of her youngest daughter, Cullen. It was a birthday surprise! She asked if I could help install some peel and stick wallpaper in a small area in her room. How could I say no? Dynasy and her husband, Lan, trusted me many years ago to babysit their little ones so the thought of helping them out again was a no brainer.

I was very upfront with Dynasy that this would be my first peel and stick wallpaper venture as I had only worked with traditional pasted wallpaper. I guess we both had confidence in my skills, so I accepted the job without much hesitation.

Installation Process

The best thing about peel and stick wallpaper is the LOW prep! Dynasy had ordered three rolls of the Peel and Stick Cheetah wallpaper from Roommates Decor. This was enough for the space plus a little extra!

I measured the length of the wall, adding 2 inches at the top and bottom. I was working with 7ft walls. I measured out the length of the wall on the ground and marked the top and bottom spots with painters tape on the floor. I cut my first panel to size. I also added painters tape at my pattern repeat spots (every 13 inches). I cut the wallpaper with a sharp utility knife. Then I took the panel over to the wall and marked where the pattern would meet the ceiling so I knew how much extra material I needed on my next panels. The last thing you want to do is cut it too short at the top or bottom.

Measuring and cutting the other panels

I knew I needed 4 panels to fill the space, and after having the first panel cut to size, I could start cutting the next panels. I unrolled the wallpaper directly on top of the first panel matching up my pattern repeat as I unrolled it. It was important to pay attention to the spot where the painters tape was on the first panel and where it hit the ceiling. I needed excess at the top and bottom. Repeat this for remaining panels. I also labeled all my panels according to how they would be installed on the wall.

Marking the wall

You can use a regular level and pencil or a laser level. I used both to double check my work. I measured the distance from the edge of the bookcase out on the wall where the first panel would stop. I marked this spot. This is where you want to have your straight line. I have seen some people use a plumb tool to help find this line. I haven’t tested this out myself.

Installing the panels

Installing the peel and stick wallpaper takes a little practice but is relatively simple and straight forward. After you remove any outlet plates from the wall and tape those up securely with painters tape you are ready to go.

I did find installing traditional pre pasted wallpaper easier when aligning the panels up along the pattern repeat. Mainly because the panel would move a little on the wall to make adjustments easier. With peel and stick you have to remove the whole panel to make adjustments because it sticks to the wall. If you have a great quality peel and stick wallpaper like I did, you can do this multiple, and I mean MULTIPLE, times! My advice is to work from the top down slowly lining up the pattern as you go.

I used a smoothing wallpaper tool to smooth out the wallpaper and remove air bubbles. I like that this had a felt edge too. You only want to remove a little of the the wallpaper backing at a time. I removed about 6 inches of the backing at the beginning and started aligning and smoothing. Then I slowly worked my way down the wall to install the entire panel. Just like anything you get better as you go. My first and second panel took me a while to get installed but the third and fourth went much faster. And of course, I learned a little trick by the time I was almost done. So I included the video below to help explain that process.

If you need more videos on the Peel and Stick process check out my instagram highlight bubble labeled Peel&Stick.

The Big Reveal

I am thrilled I was able to contribute to Cullen’s happy and vibe-y new bedroom! (As Cullen herself describes it). Her entire family all played a huge role in decorating this fun bedroom. I’m wild about all their design choices. Cullen expressed to us that her favorite things about her new room are the heart artwork, the lights, the cheetah wallpaper, and the rainbow vibe. I couldn’t agree with her more!

This project will always hold a special place in my heart! My first project outside of our home. I adore this family and I’m so glad I could add my own little sprinkle of fun!