Wallpaper Borders can provide an extremely sophisticated and elegant look to your home. They have the unique ability to give your room that personal touch. The actual process of applying the borders has never been easier, as almost all borders sold today are prepasted and can be applied on painted walls or directly over coordinated wallpapers for a real Designer look. Here are the steps to follow for a beautifully bordered room.
Step 1: Planning The first consideration is where the border will be applied. Will you use it along the ceiling, as a chair rail or to frame your doors and windows for an architectural effect? A rough sketch can help you visualize where a border would look best. Once you have determined where the border will be used its time to gather your paint, carpet, wallpaper and fabric samples to take your local dealer to select the perfect border. |
Step 2: How many spools of a border will I need?![]() |
Step 3: What tools will I need? You will need just a few tools to do the job, some you may already have and those you don’t have, you may acquire from your wallpaper retailer. Here is a list of what you will need.1. An all-in-one step border prep such as PREPZ™ from Zinsser or Border-Ease® from Roman Decorating Products. These products make border hanging quick and easy by eliminating the need for sizing, special adhesives and messy water trays. Specifically formulated to work over both painted walls and vinyl wallpaper, PREPZ strengthens the paste on pre-pasted borders to enhance adhesive performance, preventing curling edges, corners and seams. It also provides extra “slip” so there’s more time to position and match patterns. PREPZ will not stain paint or wallpaper, like other adhesives can, and it makes removal easier at redecorating time. The convenient, patented sponge applicator allows you to simply roll PREPZ on the back of pre-pasted borders and hang. Plus, clean up is a snap with a sponge and water. In the event your border is unpasted, use will need to use a vinyl-over-vinyl adhesive. 2. Tape measure, level or chalk line: Use a tape measure to determine length of border needed. If hanging the border mid wall, mark the height and use a level or chalk line to ensure horizontal placement and positioning is correct. 4. Sponge and pails: The sponge is used to smooth out the border and remove excess paste. Two pails are needed; one for paste (if required) and one for clean water for rinsing the sponge. Be sure to change this water frequently. 5. Pasting / Work table: Make sure you set up a large area for cutting, pasting and folding your wallpaper and borders – a large kitchen table or a long work table with a plastic cover will work. |
Step 4: Where to start? Now to start the finishing touch, after the walls are wallpapered or painted and properly prepared, you want to start the border in an inconspicuous spot. If installing your border as a chair rail start at one side of a door or window frame and end at the other side. If installing at the ceiling start at a corner over a doorway as you enter the room, or in the darkest corner so that any design mismatch is less obvious. |
Step 5: Let’s begin!![]() |
Step 6: Dealing with corners![]() Your house is constantly shifting and vibrating. Because of this, it is recommended that you run your next strip directly into the corner overlapping the prior strip by 1 to 2 inches using vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive or quality white glue. Outside corners can simply be wrapped. |
Step 7: Dealing with Seams![]() |
Step 8: The chair rail![]() |
Step 9: Borders around windows and doors![]() |
Step 10: The best part! Sit back and admire your newly decorated room! |
All designer wallpapers and fabrics can be purchased through Eade’s Wallpaper & Fabric 1-877-229-9427 www.eadeswallpaper.com