Wallpapering across Norfolk.
I hang wallpaper as a named specialism, not a side offer. Lining paper, surface prep, and pattern matching across corners and awkward spaces, all included as standard.
Wallpaper as a specialism, not a side job.
Most decorators will hang paper if asked. I treat it as a named service, because hanging paper properly is a different skill from rolling on emulsion. Matching a pattern across corners, planning a drop sequence on a feature wall, lining a room with uneven plaster, working a stair turn so the pattern still reads at the top, these are the parts that take years to get right and get harder when the wall isn’t square.
Plenty of rooms work better with paper than paint. A single feature wall gives a room a centre. A patterned chimney breast can carry a whole period property. A heritage paper in a hallway sets the tone of the house before anyone reaches the lounge. I hang all of it, from contemporary feature walls through to traditional papers in older homes.
How I hang wallpaper
Survey and quote (free)
I measure the walls, check the surface, look at the paper you want, and talk through the layout. You get a written quote with the labour cost laid out plainly.
Prep the surface
Old paper comes off with a steamer and scraper. Walls cleaned, filled and sanded. Anything that would show through gets fixed first; skirting and frames taped and protected.
Lining paper (where needed)
Hung horizontally so the seams sit perpendicular to the finish paper, with full drying time before anything else.
Plan the drop
For patterned papers, I centre the first drop on the room's focal point and calculate the repeat so corners and ceiling lines land cleanly.
Hang the paper
Paste, hang, smooth, trim. Each drop matched to its neighbour, brushed flat, trimmed at the ceiling, skirting and obstacles, pattern checked drop by drop.
Finish and tidy
Final trims, edges sealed where needed, masking removed, dust and offcuts cleared. The room's yours again.
Paper types I hang
I hang most formats, though some are easier than others. Non-woven papers (paste-the-wall) are the most forgiving and strip cleanly next time. Traditional pasted papers take more skill but offer a wider design choice, especially for heritage interiors.
Heavier papers, including grasscloth and embossed designs, need careful handling and the right primer underneath. Hand-printed papers (Sanderson, Morris & Co., Cole & Son, Little Greene, Farrow & Ball) hang beautifully but pattern-match strictly, so the planning matters more. Mural and panel papers are quoted individually, as each is effectively a one-off installation.
Tell me what you’re considering at the survey and I’ll tell you straight whether it’ll work and what the labour will look like.
What it costs
Wallpapering is quoted by the room rather than a fixed price list, because the cost depends on wall area, pattern matching, lining, and whether old paper needs removing.
The paper itself is costed separately. You get a written quote after the survey, with no obligation.
“Wayne prepped everything properly and is very careful and tidy in the way he works. Very impressed and would highly recommend.”Philippa Stebbing
Wallpapering, answered
How long does wallpapering a room take?
A typical room takes one to two days. Day one is prep: stripping old paper, filling and sanding, hanging lining paper where needed, and letting it dry. Day two is hanging the finish paper, pattern-matching, trimming and tidying. Larger rooms or tricky patterns can push to three days. I quote the time honestly at the survey.
Do you supply the wallpaper or do I?
Most customers supply their own paper so they get the exact design they want; I'll advise on quantities, paste type and which brands hang well. If you'd rather I sourced it, I have trade accounts and can take it off your hands. The paper cost is separate from the labour either way.
What is lining paper and do I need it?
Lining paper is a plain backing paper hung horizontally under the finish paper. It evens out the wall, absorbs differences in plaster colour, and helps the finish paper sit flat without bubbles or seam-show. On smooth, freshly skimmed walls you can skip it; on older walls it's almost always worth the extra day.
Can you remove old wallpaper before hanging new?
Yes, removal is part of the job and included in the quote. Old paper comes off with a steamer and scraper, walls are cleaned and filled, and any plaster damage is repaired before the new paper goes on. Stubborn paste residue is sanded and sealed so it doesn't bleed through.
Can you wallpaper a staircase, alcove or awkward space?
Yes, and these are the jobs some decorators pass on. Staircases, alcoves, sloping ceilings and panelled feature walls all need careful planning to keep the pattern aligned through corners and changes of plane. I work the pattern out on paper first, then hang it, so seams disappear and patterns read continuously.
How much does wallpapering cost in Norfolk?
It's quoted by the room, because cost depends on wall area, pattern matching, lining and removal. As a guide, a feature wall is typically from £150 in labour and a full room from £400. Period properties and complex patterns lift the figure, and the paper is costed separately. You get a written quote after a free survey.
Get a wallpapering quote
Tell me about the wall or room and the paper you're considering, and I'll come back with a written quote.
Get a wallpapering quote
Phone, WhatsApp, or send a message with a photo of the wall and the paper you're considering.