1 Working platform
Essential to do a good job safely. Hire, buy or borrow two step ladders and a good scaffold board to give easy access to ceilings and top parts of walls
2 Paperhanger’s apron
Not essential, but has large pockets to carry brush and shears and so saves you time getting up and down step ladder fetching them. Could improvise by hanging plastic carrier bag at top of ladder.
3 Paste bucket
Must hold reasonable amount of paste. Line inside with polythene to save cleaning out. Tie piece of string across middle of bucket to rest brush on
4 Pasting table
Can use kitchen table or board on trestles ; but lightweight foldaway pasting table, about 1800 x 60mm is convenient and inexpensive
5 Shears
Paperhanger’s shears, about 200-3O0mm long, ensure good, clean cuts
6 Wood seam roller
Not essential, but handy for smoothing joins between lengths. Don’t use on embossed paper as it will flatten pattern
7 Plumb bob
To mark true verticals on walls as guide to hanging paper. You can make your own by tying string to balanced weight.
8 Paste brush
Use old 125 or 150mm distemper brush
9 Paper-hanging brush
For smoothing paper onto wall, Choose pure bristle to avoid scratching paper
10 Pencil and metal straight-edge
For marking and measuring
11 Trimming knife
For making intricate cuts round fittings and for trimming edges
12 Wallpaper paste
Always use adhesive specified by wallpaper manufacturer and follow mixing instructions exactly. lf you use wrong paste, paper might not stick properly or mould might develop behind paper. Don’t get adhesive on decorative face of paper or paper will discolour.