Top Tips and Mistakes to Avoid When Wallpapering Furniture

A Practical Guide to Wallpapering Furniture: Top Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Wallpapers on furniture are a great way to transform an old dresser, bookcase, or table into a new one. With the help of wallpapers, the furniture can be painted as if it were plain but detailed. Nevertheless, wallpapering furniture is still a totally different craft than wall painting. The surfaces, angles, and everyday usage present different kinds of challenges.

People commonly report their wallpaper coming off or forming bubbles only after a few weeks. The above-discussed wallpapering mistakes that happen are almost entirely preventable. The key lies in proper preparation, choosing right, and the right technique.

This guide, which is presented in a comprehensive manner, will help you through the different stages of the proper way to wallpaper furniture. We will mention the basic tips for a lasting finish, the main errors to avoid, and how to effectively seal and guard your finished product. No matter if you are using peel and stick wallpaper for furniture or a traditional pasted paper, these guidelines will definitely give you a chance to score a professional-quality result.

Creative Applications: Where to Use Wallpaper on Furniture

Before starting, reflect on the change you want to make. Wallpaper could be either a loud declaration or a soft accent. The way you dress a furniture piece with wallpaper will depend on the furniture and its spot in the room.

On Wardrobe and Dresser

The wardrobe's huge flat surfaces or the front side of the drawers are perfect for paintings. You can completely cover the piece to create a low-impact look or just the drawer fronts for a more defined update. This is a common choice when it comes to recycling furniture with wallpaper, especially when dealing with the wallpapering of furniture with drawers.

Lining Drawers and Cabinets

For a more personal and hidden detail, go for the option of lining the drawers' insides or the back of the kitchen cabinets. This not only creates an element of surprise but also protects the wood. If you are just getting started, how to line drawers with wallpaper is a perfect beginner project.

Accenting Bookcases

The most common application is wallpapering the back of a bookcase. This technique adds depth and color to the bookshelves and consequently, the items on them are more attractive. It's an easy way to make a point without overpowering the room.

Revitalizing Tables and Desks

A worn tabletop coffee, console, or desk can be much improved with wallpaper. On the other hand, such high-traffic areas should be sealed properly with several layers of polyurethane or glass to prevent the paper from being damaged by spills and scratches.

Upgrading Stair Risers

Although not furniture in the strict sense, stair risers are a great place for wallpaper. Applying durable, cleanable paper to the vertical part of each step would enhance the aesthetics of a hallway or entryway.

The Essential Toolkit and Material Selection

The initial blunder is jumping into the project without gathering the necessary supplies. Create the list of things you want and need first and then start.

Right Tools Collection

The whole process will be more efficient and more accurate with the right equipment.

How to Choose the Right Wallpaper for Furniture Projects

The application process and the final durability will be determined by the paper type you select.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper

This is generally the best option for novices. As a removable wallpaper for furniture, it’s forgiving; if it gets misaligned, it can often be gently pulled back and repositioned. Smooth, non-porous surfaces such as laminate or painted furniture are ideal for this and it will perform best there.

Traditional (Unpasted) Wallpaper

This kind of paper requires a separate wallpaper paste for its application. It is more labor-intensive; however, the resulting bond is stronger, thus, a little more permanent for items that receive a lot of use. Moreover, the textures available in wallpapers are also many, e.g. vinyl or grasscloth.

Top Tips for a Flawless Finish

Here come the best practices from pros. If you abide by these tips wallpapering furniture will never cause the most common problems for you.

Top Tips for Beginners in Wallpapering Furniture Preparation is the key to success and that is 90% of it. Never skip these steps even if you are using temporary wallpaper.

Tip 1: Surface Preparation Is a Must

A strong bond cannot be established on a dirty, glossy or uneven surface. This is the main part of prepping furniture for wallpaper.

• Clean: The whole piece must be thoroughly cleaned with a degreasing cleaner (like TSP substitute or sugar soap) to remove dust, oils, and grime completely.
• Repair: Any dents or scratches must be filled with wood filler and sanded smooth once dry.
• Sand: This is the secret step. Even if the surface appears to be perfect, sanding is a must. For wooden or painted furniture, a light scuff-sanding with fine-grit (220) sandpaper creates a "tooth" that the wallpaper adhesive can grab. You must sand more thoroughly (120-grit) for high-gloss or laminate furniture to get rid of the shine.
• Prime: After sanding and dusting, apply a coat of high-adhesion primer. For laminate, melamine, or wallpaper on wood furniture (especially pieces with stains or wood tannins that can bleed), a shellac-based primer is best. It blocks stains and sticks to anything.

Tip 2: Measure Accurately and Prepare a Template

The first step is to take the measurements of your surface (e.g., a drawer front) adding at least one inch of "bleed" or overlap on each side of the surface. It is much easier to cut off the extra paper on the furniture with a sharp knife after it has been placed than to try aligning a pre-cut piece which is slightly too small. For complicated designs make a template out of craft paper first.

Tip 3: Perfect the Application Technique

The way to put wallpaper on furniture depends on the type of wallpaper.

• ● For Peel and Stick: Remove backing paper only from the top for a few inches. Adjust the position of the paper, and then with the help of your smoothing tool press down the top edge. One hand will slowly be pulling the backing paper off while the other hand will be smoothing the wallpaper from the center outwards. This "center-out" action forces air bubbles to the edges.
• ● For Traditional Paper: Put a thin and even layer of paste to the furniture surface or the paper (according to the manufacturer's instructions). "Book" the paper (gently fold it paste-side to paste-side) for the recommended time to let it relax. Then, apply it to the surface, smoothing from the center out.

Tip 4: Corners and Curves

These are the most difficult parts to deal with.

• ● How to paste wallpaper on corners ( on furniture): Don't attempt to fold a single piece of paper around a sharp 90-degree corner. It will take a short time to start pulling away or, worse, tearing. Instead, run the paper just beyond the corner (about 1/4 inch), cut it cleanly and starting with the new piece overlap it on the other side.
• ● How to wallpaper a curved piece of furniture: For light curves you can apply the hairdryer. While you are smoothing the paper (peel and stick work best here), very gently heat it to make it more pliable. Do not pull it, as it will retract when it cools, and this may cause peeling.

Wallpapering Furniture Mistakes to Avoid

The following are the most frequent and what to avoid while wallpapering furniture mistakes.

Mistake 1: Ignoring Preparations

This is the first mistake. If you apply wallpaper (especially peel and stick) directly over a glossy, soiled, or unprepared surface, it is bound to fail. Gripping area is none for the adhesive. This is the main reason for the question "Why is my wallpaper coming off furniture?" to be answered.

Mistake 2:Pattern Not Aligned

If you want to give your furniture a cool makeover with wallpaper on it, then do not forget to align the pattern. Pattern must go on pieces that are separate and that join perfectly together. You could unfold the drawers or doors and place them on the floor in the same position as they would be on the furniture.

Mistake 3: A Blade Not Sharp

A blunt knife will not cut wallpaper; it will only tear the paper giving it a rough and unprofessional edge. Go for the brand new blade, and replace it often—as soon as you notice it beginning to drag. Always use a metal straightedge to get a perfectly clean cut.

Mistake 4: Peel and Stick Paper Not Being Stretched

It is quite possible to stretch the peel and stick wallpaper too much when you are trying to reposition it. This not only alters the design but more importantly, it weakens the adhesive. The paper has a "memory" and will want to shrink back to its original shape, thus lifting and peeling at the edges hours or days later.

Mistake 5: Not Sealing High-Traffic Areas

If you wallpaper a table, desk, or dresser top, then it needs to be protected. If you do not seal it correctly, the first spill, water ring, or scratch will destroy your effort. This is one of the most common issues with wallpapering furniture in use every day.

Sealing and Protecting Your Project

Sealing is a final, vital step for all pieces that will be touched, used, or exposed to moisture.

Durable Wallpaper Sealing on Furniture

Your primary two choices are polyurethane and Mod Podge.Sealing up to the furniture with wallpaper and finishing it with polyurethane: This is the most durable option. The water-based translucent polycrylic or polyurethane can be used in satin or semi-gloss finish. The oil-based ones might turn the paper yellow over time. Apply 2-3 thin, even coats with a quality brush, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly and lightly sanding (with 300+ grit) in between coats.

Using Mod Podge to seal wallpaper on furniture: Mod Podge does work well, but it is a hybrid glue-sealer. It sometimes leaves a slightly "sticky" feel and may show brushstrokes more than polyurethane. It is suitable for smaller, low-traffic decorative items.

Important Note: If you ever have plans to remove the wallpaper cleanly, do not seal removable wallpaper. Sealing makes the paper permanent.

How to Clean Wallpapered Furniture

For an unsealed paper, just dust it or wipe it with a barely damp cloth. For sealed, protected wallpapered furniture (especially if it has vinyl paper or a polyurethane topcoat), you can clean it just like any other piece of furniture, using a mild, non-abrasive cleaner.

Troubleshooting Wallpaper on Furniture

Minor problems can still appear even if you do everything perfectly: Bubbles in the wallpapered furniture how to get rid of them: If the paper is dry and you see a bubble, you can't smooth it out. Use a sharp pin or the tip of your craft knife to make a very small cut in the bubble's center. With little movements, push the air out to the slit.

How to fix peeling wallpaper on furniture: If a corner or edge starts to lift, it's mainly because of a prep problem or tension. You can remedy the situation by taking a tiny bit of strong wallpaper border adhesive or vinyl-to-vinyl paste on a small craft brush. Carefully put it under the peeling edge, press it down, and quickly wipe any excess away.

A Final Thought

Giving new life to old furniture by covering it with wallpaper is an artistic venture that gives you the full liberty to express your ideas. Patience is the key factor that decides between a project which lasts years and a project that soon gets abandoned. If you devote the time for the right surface preparation, the right material selection, and the careful application and sealing of the paper, you will have a long-lasting and effective item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can wallpaper be applied over painted furniture?

Yes, actually it is quite a suitable surface. Just make sure to clean, scuff-sand to get the gloss off, and then vacuum the dust. A primer application is advisable for optimum adhesion.

What type of wallpaper is most suitable for furniture projects?

The easiest for novices is the peel and stick wallpaper. The scrubbable vinyl (either peel and stick or standard) is a perfect choice in case of durability on extremely used pieces, and it is easy to clean and durable.

How to apply a seal on the wallpaper used on furniture?

Use 2-3 layers of a water-based polycrylic or polyurethane on high and rough surfaces like tabletops. This would help the paper to withstand moisture and scratches. Do not cover the paper you want to remove later.

What is the method to eliminate folds in the wallpaper on furniture?

Wait until the paper is completely dry, then take a pin and make a very tiny hole in the center of the fold. Carefully push out the air through the hole and smooth it down.

What might be the reason for the wallpaper coming off the furniture?

The most frequent reason is improper surface treatment. The surface probably had too much gloss, was too dusty, or was oily. Other reasons include over-stretching the peel and stick paper or not applying a primer on laminate or wood.

Is it possible to put peel and stick wallpaper on wooden furniture?

Yes, but raw or stained wood has to be treated. Clean, sand, and then apply a shellac-based primer. This will keep the wood tannins from coming through the paper and provide the adhesive with a good grip on a stable surface.