CostaCover Peel & Stick wallpaper is designed for easy installation without additional glue or paste. With proper wall preparation and careful panel alignment, you can achieve a beautiful, professional-looking result.
Follow this step-by-step guide to install your wallpaper smoothly, avoid wrinkles and air bubbles, and create a seamless-looking wall design.
Wallpaper installation is a two-person job. For the best results, complete the installation in a single session rather than leaving partially installed panels overnight.
Before You Start
Step 1. Gather Your Tools
Before beginning installation, prepare the following tools and supplies:
- Pencil
- Painter's tape
- Measuring tape
- Standard or laser level
- Wallpaper smoother
- Sharp utility knife with spare blades
- Clean, soft cloth or towel
Important: Peel & Stick wallpaper is self-adhesive and does not require additional wallpaper paste or glue.
Step 2. Prepare Your Wallpaper Panels
Remove the wallpaper panels from their packaging and lay them flat on a clean, dry surface for at least 1 hour at room temperature.
This allows the panels to relax, straighten out, and adjust to the room temperature before installation.
Step 3. Check Your Wallpaper and Pattern
Before installing, inspect all wallpaper panels carefully
- Check that all panels are undamaged and free from printing defects
- Confirm that the colors and patterns are consistent.
- Make sure you have received all panels needed to complete your wall.
- Lay the panels next to each other on the floor and check the pattern alignment.
Refer to the Matching Chart included with your wallpaper.
For wall murals, begin with Panel 1 and continue installing from left to right.
Each neighboring panel should overlap by approximately 1 inch to ensure correct pattern alignment.
Wall Preparation
Step 1. Check and Clean the Wall
Your wall must be smooth, clean, dry, and free of dust or debris before installation.
Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove dust and allow it to dry completely.
Remove any loose paint, old wallpaper, or other materials that may interfere with adhesion.
Do not install wallpaper over stains, ink markings, wax, or other substances that may bleed through the material.
Wall imperfections, bumps, or heavy texture can affect adhesion and create visible air bubbles.
Important: Peel & Stick wallpaper is not recommended for heavily textured walls, uneven surfaces, walls with bumps, damp or cold surfaces, or chalk/lime-painted finishes.
Read Full Wall Requirements
Step 2. Repair Uneven Walls
For the best results, prepare the wall according to its condition.
Minor Surface Imperfections Lightly sand rough spots, remove all sanding dust, and apply a suitable wallpaper primer if needed.
Major Surface Imperfections For heavily textured or uneven walls, apply a skim coat to create a smooth surface. Once dry, sand the entire area, remove dust, and prime the surface as appropriate.
Important: If your wall has been freshly painted, wait at least 4 weeks before installing wallpaper. The paint must be fully cured, not just dry to the touch.
Installing Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Step 1. Mark the First Panel Position
Measure the width of the first wallpaper panel and mark its position on the wall.
Using a standard or laser level, draw a perfectly vertical guideline.
This line will help you position the first panel correctly and maintain alignment across the entire wall.
Important: Do not use the wall corner or ceiling as your alignment guide. Corners and ceilings are not always perfectly straight.
The first panel determines the alignment of all remaining panels.
Step 2. Install the First Panel
Peel back approximately 10 inches of the backing paper from the top of the first panel.
Carefully position the wallpaper against the wall, aligning the panel edge with your vertical guideline.
Leave approximately 1 inch of excess material at the top for final trimming.
You can temporarily secure the panel with painter's tape while checking its position. Make sure the panel is straight before continuing.
Step 3. Remove the Backing Gradually
Once the top of the panel is correctly positioned, begin removing the backing paper slowly.
Peel away no more than 10 inches at a time, working from top to bottom.
As you remove the backing, gently smooth the exposed adhesive section onto the wall.
Always pull the backing paper straight down rather than at an angle.
Avoid removing the entire backing at once, as the adhesive surface may stick to itself or the wall before the panel is correctly positioned.
Step 4. Smooth the Wallpaper
Use a wallpaper smoother or squeegee to press the panel evenly onto the wall.
Start from the center and work outward toward the edges, pushing trapped air away from the middle. Continue smoothing as you gradually remove the backing paper. Use firm but controlled pressure to ensure proper adhesion without stretching the material.
Important: Do not pull or stretch the wallpaper during installation. Stretching may cause pattern misalignment or wrinkles.
Step 5. Trim the Excess Material
Once the first panel has been installed and smoothed, use a sharp utility knife to trim the excess wallpaper.
Carefully remove the technical strip at the top and any extra material along the bottom edge.
Use a straightedge where needed for clean, accurate cuts.
Always use a sharp blade to avoid tearing or damaging the wallpaper.
Step 6. Install the Second Panel
Take the second wallpaper panel and peel back approximately 10 inches of backing from the top.
Position the panel next to the first one, creating a 1-inch overlap.
Carefully match the printed design across both panels before pressing the wallpaper onto the wall.
Temporarily secure the panel with painter's tape if needed. Once the pattern is aligned, continue installing from top to bottom, gradually removing the backing and smoothing from the center outward.
Step 7. Install the Remaining Panels
Repeat the same process for all remaining wallpaper panels.
Work from left to right, installing each panel from top to bottom.
Maintain the 1-inch overlap between neighboring panels and continuously check the pattern alignment.
Smooth each panel carefully as you go, ensuring good contact with the wall and removing trapped air.
Take your time to maintain consistent alignment across the entire mural.
Step 8. Do Not Remove the Overlap
Important: Do not trim or remove the 1-inch overlap on Peel & Stick wallpaper.
Unlike traditional wallpaper, Peel & Stick material may contract slightly over time. Removing the overlap or using the double-cut method can create visible gaps between panels. Keep the original overlap in place to maintain continuous pattern coverage.
Step 9. Final Smoothing and Finishing
Once all panels are installed, inspect the entire wall for wrinkles, trapped air, or lifting edges. Gently smooth the wallpaper again, working from the center of each panel toward the edges. Pay special attention to the overlapping seams to ensure proper adhesion. Carefully trim any remaining excess material around the edges and wall openings. For electrical outlets or switches, turn off the power at the breaker before removing covers or trimming around electrical openings. You may gently repeat the smoothing process after a few days if needed to reinforce adhesion.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Fix Wrinkles During Installation
If a wrinkle or crease appears, stop applying the wallpaper. Gently lift the affected section away from the wall and reposition it. Reapply the wallpaper slowly, smoothing from the center outward. Do not stretch or force the material into position. Correcting wrinkles immediately is easier than trying to remove them after the entire panel has been installed.
Air Bubbles
If an air bubble appears, gently work it toward the nearest edge using your wallpaper smoother. If a small bubble remains because of a wall imperfection, carefully puncture it with a fine needle and smooth the area to release the trapped air. Avoid making large cuts or applying excessive pressure to the wallpaper.
Wallpaper Is Not Sticking Properly
If your Peel & Stick wallpaper is not adhering properly, starts peeling, or the edges are lifting, the issue may be related to the wall surface rather than the wallpaper itself.
Common causes include:
- Freshly painted walls: Paint must cure for at least 4 weeks before installation. Some paints may require longer.
- Low/Zero VOC or stain-resistant paints: Certain paint formulations create a surface that prevents the adhesive from bonding properly.
- Textured or uneven walls: Rough surfaces, bumps, and imperfections reduce contact between the adhesive and the wall.
- Dust, grease, or moisture: Contaminated or damp surfaces can significantly reduce adhesion.
- Humidity and temperature changes: Excessive moisture or fluctuating temperatures may cause the wallpaper to lift or peel.
Important: Always test a wallpaper sample on your wall before installing the full mural. If adhesion problems occur, identify and correct the surface issue before attempting to reapply the wallpaper.
Learn more:
Peel & Stick Wallpaper Over Low VOC Paints
Full Wall Requirements
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Let customers speak for us
I absolutely love how this wallpaper transformed my daughter’s room! 💗 The design is beautiful, the colors are so soft and dreamy, and it created the sweetest, coziest space.
The quality is amazing, and I love how the peel-and-stick wallpaper makes it easier to give a room a whole new look. It completely changed the atmosphere of the room and made it feel so special.
If you’re thinking about refreshing a room or creating a beautiful accent wall, I definitely recommend checking out CostaCover! We couldn’t be happier with the transformation. ✨💕
This wallpaper is AMAZING, it was super easy to install and looks perfect in my cottage core house.
I am IN LOVE with my wallpaper! It was SO easy to use!!!!!!! Would absolutely recommend!
I absolutely love how this wallpaper transformed my daughter’s bedroom! The delicate florals and mix of colors add so much charm and personality without overwhelming the space. We paired it with a chair rail and dusty pink paint, and the whole room feels so much more finished and intentional.
I used the traditional prepasted wallpaper and the product itself was a dream to work with - thick and easily hid the paint color behind the paper. The panels being precut to size made this install a breeze, too! Everyone I have chatted with at CostaCover has been a delight, too. Looking forward to updating more rooms with CostaCover!
Absolutely love this product. Would order from this shop again.
This wallpaper is absolutely beautiful! I’m very impressed with the quality and how it improved my space.
Oh my goodness, I am in love with this wallpaper. I need to order more, but I love what I am seeing. The texture is great, and it looks/feels high quality. Thank you so much. Will be ordering again very soon!
Gorgeous wallpaper! I used it as an accent wall in my closet & it's perfect.
They helped me pick the size of my design and not their fault at all, but it was about a half inch short so that sucked but I just put it to the far wall and I’m going to use a trim piece. Either I had ordered it a couple inches longer to be honest. Either way is stunning and people can’t believe it’s not a real marble wall and it was everything I was looking for in my new salon. Thank you so much! Would absolutely order again if I choose to do another accent wall like this! I can also update this once I get all the final touches on this marble wall. Victoria
I love it!!! It looks so good in my guest bedroom. I’m just slow at not measuring the room size now I’m short 2 strips lol
This was exactly as pictured. The quality was thick and it laid well, even when I had to redo certain parts.
so nice I ordered it twice
I love this wallpaper! It is beautiful. I chose the traditional paper and it has a lovely matte finish. It looks really expensive. I used it for an accent wall and couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
Material: Traditional Canvas
fab in my daughters bedroom
It is good quality Easy to apply