You guys! I am beyond excited about this. As I recently showed you, I added this fawn wallpaper to our master bedroom closet (you can see the makeover reveal here) and I am in love with it. It’s glam and feminine and basically everything my husband hates, but it’s the closet, ya know? I think it’s a decent compromise since I didn’t force our house to ooze femininity at every turn. The closet (or at least my half of it) was fair game as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, I loved the wallpaper but I sort of hate the whole wallpaper removal process, and I change my mind a lot. (I have what is commonly referred to as decorating ADHD.) So I set out to find out how to make wallpaper removable, so that I could hang the exact wallpaper I wanted without using glue or making it permanent. And I found a way!
I had heard about this idea suggested in an old Lonny Magazine article a long time ago and always had it in the back of my mind, wondering if it would actually work. Yes, removable wallpaper exists, but the pattern choices are limited, and this method allowed me to use any wallpaper I wanted. I have to say, this was a total experiment, but I’m so happy that it worked.
I’ve used thumbtacks to attach wallpaper to the backs of bookcases, and I’ve used just plain old double stick tape too, both of which can work depending on the situation. However, the method I’m sharing with you today requires no glue, no tacks, no holes, no wall damage, period. Here’s what you’ll need.
PROJECT SUPPLY LIST:
- Wallpaper of your choice (I used this Tan Fawn Wallpaper from Walls Republic.)
- Painter’s Tape (Amount will vary based on how much wall space you have to cover.)
- Double Sided Tape (Amount will also vary, but you will need A LOT.) I suggest shopping Amazon to find it in bulk, or check out the dollar store. I used a couple of different types based on whatever I could find at the store.
- X-Acto Knife
- Scissors
- Ruler or Yard Stick (for a straight edge)
- Pencil
- Smoothing Tool
HOW TO MAKE WALLPAPER REMOVABLE
Step 1
First, create a grid on the wall with painter’s tape. This doesn’t have to be perfect by any means. Just slap the tape up there in a general grid formation—no measuring or straight lines necessary.
Step 2
Next, measure your wall and then cut a strip of wallpaper to the correct length, leaving a few excess inches. Set aside.
Step 3
Apply double-sided tape on top of the painter’s tape. This provides a barrier between the double sided tape and the wall, so that removing it will not damage the wall later on. If you stick the double sided tape directly onto the wall, it will damage it when you pull it off. Work in sections, applying the tape just to the area where the first strip of wallpaper will adhere.
Step 4
Carefully position your first strip of wallpaper onto the wall, smoothing it out as you go. You may need to go in and add additional pieces of painter’s tape with more double sided tape on top as you go, especially under edges to make them less noticeable.
Step 5
When you get your wallpaper positioned on the wall, use your X-Acto knife to cut the excess paper off the top and bottom.
Step 6
Repeat the process, carefully matching up the pattern repeat on your paper (if there is one), all the way around the room. If any edges are not laying flat, stick some more tape under them until everything looks smooth and uniform. Then step back and enjoy your hard work!
Notes:
This is time consuming and a little bit tedious, but not difficult and definitely worth it if you don’t want to worry about having difficulty removing it later. This will peel right off whenever you want to change up your decor.
The most difficult part was applying the wallpaper around the window, but I just tried my best to smooth it and slowly cut it with the X-Acto. I’m sure this is the case regardless of application process.
If you’re covering a lot of wall space, I would make your grid quite large (to save both time and tape) and pay special attention mostly just to the edges. I found that that’s where I ended up needing the most tape anyway.
I used the same method for behind the shelves too.
Do you have a favorite wallpaper hanging tip? I’d love to hear about it!
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:
- Closet Makeover Reveal
- Master Bedroom Makeover Reveal
- How to Paint a Striped Wall
- or check out my project gallery here!
Linking this post to:
Monday Funday | Merry Monday | Tips & Tricks Link Party | The Inspiration Board | Talk of the Town | Dream. Create. Inspire | The DIY Collective
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I received the wallpaper for free from Walls Republic. All opinions are my own.
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That is genius. I love that idea.
Thank you Marty! I was just so happy that it actually worked!
What an ingenious idea. I couldn’t figure out the purpose for the painter’s tape until you explained it. Your closet looks fantastic
Thank you! 🙂
Genius. My friend was over today and LITERALLY talking about this! Can’t believe how legit it looks. 🙂
Thank you so much, Charlotte! I was a little bit shocked that it actually worked. Haha!
This is SO smart!
Thank you, Alexis! I was pleasantly surprised that this method actually worked!
such a smart idea! and i just adore the look!
Thank you, Cassie!
This is absolutely brilliant! Especially the layer of painter’s tape to prevent damage to the wall – I would have NEVER thought of that! And of course, the wallpaper itself is absolutely stunning!
I hadn’t heard of this technique before but will definitely be saving in my design files. Thanks for sharing Erin.
I NEED to do this, I am dying for pattern over here in my rental! Thanks girl!
This is a great post! I am going to be saving this one for future reference! Thank you for sharing at The DIY Collective! And, I LOVE the fawn wallpaper and all of the other touches of feminine in the closet space- absolutely stunning!
Thank you, Brooke!
I would like to find the ‘faun’ wallpaper. Can you help me with sourcing this paper?
Thank you….I love this idea and will use it for a mural that my grandaughter wants.
Hi Nancy. The wallpaper came from Walls Republic.
Wow! Genius! Most folks don’t wallpaper cause they don’t want to have to remove it eventually!
Thank you, Sue! That’s definitely how I feel about it. Removal is a pain, but I love the look of it. Glad to have found a compromise!
Oh my husband will be so happy to know that I can wallpaper every room of the house now! lol.
Thank you so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday!
Yes! You totally can. Haha. Thanks, Amanda!
Wow that’s simply a brilliant idea erin. Who would have thought of painter’s tape technique? I need to try it soon. Will definitely share the experience with you. And also, the heels are great 🙂
Thanks so much, Mary! I would love to hear about it if you try it!
Your closet is gorgeous!!!! I love the wallpaper and it is perfect for your closet. Great tutorial. Pinning and sharing.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
Awesome idea! Does this make the wallpaper reusable or would it get ruined when removing! Thx for this post!
Good question, Kerianne! I’m really not sure since I haven’t tried to remove it, but my guess is that it should work. As long as you use heavy duty, good quality wallpaper and peel it off slowly and carefully, I think you could reuse it.
Do you know if this will work over existing wall paper? We may be moving into an apartment with “not so attractive” wall paper in the kitchen and wanted to try!
Hi Sarah! I would imagine that it should work, but I would test a small area first just to make sure the painter’s tape doesn’t mess up the wallpaper when you peel it off. Good luck!
Hi! I just was wondering how well this has held up for you. Is there any peeling and such? Thanks in advance!
Great question, and thanks for the reminder that I need to add an update! There is some peeling from time to time, and I just press it back down as I walk by. I think if I did it over again, I would add a tighter grid and more tape. And I don’t think I would do a whole room, but an accent wall is the way to go!
This is brilliant!! I’m so glad you shared! I’m for sure doing this in my living room!!
Thanks, Nicole!
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing! I am wondering how this held up for you as the seasons changed from cold to hot? Was there any significant peeling? Thanks again!
It did peel some, and I just press it back down as needed. I think, to do it over again, I would add more tape. For a closet it’s fine as I can just press it down as I walk by sometimes. Not sure if I would do an entire room though.
I love this idea and I’m about to do it myself. Does it stick okay with regular double sided tape? Or do I need something stronger?
It has peeled some, so if I did it over again I would definitely add more. If you can find something a little bit more heavy-duty, I would go with that!
I have the most hideous 80s wallpaper in my rental bathroom. My landlord is easy going and probably would let me remove it but I really didn’t want to do all that work! I found this beautiful wallpaper to cover it up but 3M strips didn’t work to hold it. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this post because I think this is my solution!! 💕💕
Will the painters tape damage wall paint if left on for a number of years?
I would think it would take many years for that to happen, but if it does you can always just repaint.
I am trying to find a way to hang wallpaper in a rental, and this seems like one of the best techniques! I’m very curious if the painter’s tape has damaged your wall paint in any way, over the last 2 years. I don’t want to risk messing up the paint in my apartment, because it’s a brand new unit! Thanks so much 🙂
It hasn’t so far!
Just checking in as i just ran across this post (in a rage over my water activated wallpaper not staying), is it still staying up on the wall? has any fallen or had to be redone? I’m desperate for a new plan for my wallpaper but dont want it to come crashing down on thee baby’s crib! 🙂
One of the strips did fall down but I think it’s because I didn’t put enough double stick tape behind it. I would just put a TON. Good luck!
This technique is perfect. I’ve had a custom wallpaper made for my fine art degree final exhibition and have been hunting for ways to hang the wallpaper thats easy to remove
Thanks, Rebecca! Glad you found this helpful.
Great idea! I’m just wondering, will the wallpaper be ruined when we take it off the wall? (I am in a temporary office right now)
Thanks!
Good question! I think if you removed it very slowly and carefully, it could be salvaged.
You probably won’t see this but this is so fricking helpful you won’t believe! You are a goddamn genius!!! c:
Haha! Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful.
I suspect you could also apply painters tape to the paper to help salvage it too, if you really wanted to. My question, though; Would this method be a disaster in a bathroom? I suspect with all the moisture and humidity I would be better to actually just apply it the proper way. Thoughts?
Yes I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for a bathroom. I think the humidity would make it peel off pretty quickly.
I was searching for a way to do wallpaper behind my Christmas theme Mantle without ruining the drywall and your idea rocks!!!! You are now in my Genius Club!!! It turned out great! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful.
Hi Erin! How do you know this worked? Did you test double-sided tape on the wall for a few weeks and then remove to see if it damaged the paint? Or, are you only referring to the fact that it held it to the wall when you say, “it worked.” I’ve read some articles online that say painters tape can damage the wall is left on for more than 24 hours. in the future, for these types of tutorials, would be helpful to show us to take down as well. Maybe do a wall in your home that you don’t plan to leave the wallpaper on, leave it up for a few weeks, and then show us the after photo. Thanks!
@Jasmine – valid concern, but were those articles specifically saying that the wall will be damaged or that it’s bad to leave it too long when you are actually in the process of painting the walls? Because the latter is a thing, as you risk taking some of that new paint off with the tape if you leave it on for too long.
Thank s never thought of your idea🤩
Would this work for Kitchen cabinets?! We are renting and our kitchen cabinets are hideous. Would love a temporary solution!
I probably wouldn’t do this in a space with a lot of moisture or humidity.
I love this idea! Do you think it could work to hold fabric instead of wallpaper?
Possibly! Maybe starched fabric. The wallpaper I used was pretty heavy so it’s definitely worth a try!
Fantastic idea! I’ve decided to do this to a bedroom. I’ll be covering one main wall, and partial coverage on two other walls. I got a brick pattern and I’ve spent a full day and a half just doing 3/4 of the main wall and 1/4 of another wall. The hardest part was transitioning the corner as I decided to not cut the paper at the corner but just let it flow through. I managed to stay perfectly level coming out of the corner. It looks FANTASTIC. Thank you for writing this article up. I would have never otherwise done this. It’s been a blast so far. I hope there are no long term effects from using painter’s tape should I ever remove this.
That’s awesome! So glad this worked for you!
Thank you for this post! I’ve been searching for a while on trying to hang wallpaper temporarily. We are going to sell our house in the next few months, so I want to take my wall mural with me, especially after paying so much for it. My question is, will this method tear the wallpaper when removing?
Nevermind I just read the other comments asking the same question
This is a old post though. Did you ever end up taking it down? If so did it damage the wallpaper? The wallpaper I have is thick. I really hope this works!
I did take some of it down and no the wallpaper was not ruined. Mine was also heavy duty. If yours is thick then it should be fine! Just be gentle with it when removing.
While this is a great DIY project for those whom want the wallpaper look without the full relationship of it. Wallpaper hangers DO have Strippable wallpaper paste, Ask for it.
If your walls are primer sealed properly, meaning no moisture can penetrate the paint and activate it, then using a strippable paste will create the wallpaper to strip off, nice and clean and NOT ruin your walls. As much as I like to see new things in the world, I want everyone to also be educated on what wallpaper installers can do for you in your home, office, or Rentals!
Thanks, Robyn! I was wondering about that.
Thank you for the tip! 🙂 I actually ended up using double-sided, removable tape that is sold to be used for keeping rugs stuck to a hardwood floor (so the rug doesn’t slide around). The brand I used is “Tesa.” The tape is thin enough so that it doesn’t show through under the wallpaper, and it’s about 2 1/2 inches wide and is really easy to use, as it has a backing that is easily peeled off after being stuck to the wall. It also removes very easily and cleanly (and can be re-used afterward). So this eliminated the need for two separate steps, with the painter’s tape, because it only required one kind of tape. It worked really well — all inspired by your page here. Thank you again for the tip! 🙂
Awesome! That is great to know. Thanks for sharing!
I have wallpaper that you can see the painters tape underneath so I used masking tape since it was lighter in color. I bought the Removeable scotch double sided tape but it doesn’t stick well to the masking tape, any suggestions?
Hmm. You could always use super glue on the side that you’re trying to stick to the masking tape.