Is temporary wallpaper a godsend for renters who want to decorate?
Want to give your apartment a new look, but don’t have the money (nor time, nor energy) for extensive renovations? Try temporary wallpaper. Even those of us who lack the DIY gene are capable of peeling off the backing and simply sticking it to the wall. But will removable wallpaper really give your space the facelift it so desperately needs? Our tester chose Chasing Paper’s “Wild” and “Book Worm” panels for her walls, and a chalkboard panel for her refrigerator. So how exactly does it work?
- Choose: Are you drawn to wacky prints or simple ones? What will work best in your apartment? Keep in mind that a more chaotic pattern can make for a more seamless installation since it can more easily hide imperfections like bumps in the wall or bubbles in the paper.
- Prepare: Wipe your walls down with a damp cloth to get rid of any dirt, dust and flecks of plaster. Also, take the time to flatten your wallpaper (which comes in rolls) under a few books to make cutting and sticking a lot easier.
- Measure: Measure the space multiple times to make sure you’re right before even attempting to stick anything to your wall.
- Stick: Peel off the backing and adhere it to the desired surface.
- Finish: Pop air bubbles with a safety pin, then smooth them out.
Verdict: Our tester was more than satisfied with her purchase. “The interesting patterns bring life to my walls, and the chalkboard panels give my dingy fridge a sophisticated look. Plus, I did it all in well under a couple of hours,” she says.
For more, read “A real person’s 5-step guide to putting up temporary wallpaper.”
In Case You Missed It: Every so often, BrickUnderground digs through the archives to find the best advice our experts have shared through the years.
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Is temporary wallpaper truly temporary? Yes (so far)!
