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How to Wallpaper a Chimney Breast


easy steps how to wallpaper a chimney breast
Wallpaper can transform a room from looking boring to being interesting and lively. The great thing about wallpaper is that there are so many patterns out there for you to try, so you are sure to find one that matches your aesthetic. You can wallpaper an entire room or just cover one accent wall with wallpaper.

As beautiful as wallpaper is, you will likely be aware that it can be quite difficult to wallpaper a room. This is particularly true if this room features a chimney breast. This is because it is an awkward shape to master. To ensure that your wallpaper chimney breast isn’t a disaster, follow these super simple steps for a gorgeous interior design.

 

Instructions

Pre-Instructions
  1. Measure your chimney breast using a measuring tape. Make sure to measure not just the central part of the breast, but also the two sides if you also plan on wallpapering them. Ensure that you keep a note of this measurement.
  2. Pick your wallpaper. Though this sounds easy, you would be surprised by how many people select a wallpaper and later regret it. Think about whether or not it will match the vibe you are going for. Plus, will it suit the rest of the room?
  3. When buying the wallpaper, you must have enough to cover the chimney breast. This is where the measurements from before will become useful. You might want to buy wallpaper that is slightly larger than the measurements so that you have excess. This guarantees that you have a sufficient amount of wallpaper even if the measurements are inaccurate. 
  4. Spread adhesive across the chimney breast wall
  5. Once you have done this, you will need to decide how to fit the wallpaper. There are two main methods for doing so. Which technique works best will depend on your preference. Here are the two methods:

 

Method #1 - Centralizing the Wallpaper

  1. Measure the chimney breast so that you have found the vertical central point. You may want to mark this with a pencil. 
  2. Place a strip of wallpaper over this central point, with the center of the wallpaper being on the center of the chimney breast. Smooth the wallpaper so that there aren’t any wrinkles. 
  3. Next, add two strips of wallpaper on either side of the chimney so that the entire breast is covered. 
  4. Utilize a seam roller to stop the seams from uncovering.
  5. If you wish to cover the rest of the room in wallpaper, then proceed accordingly.

 

Method #2 - Centralizing the Seem

  1. Measure the chimney breast so that you have found the vertical central point. You may want to mark this with a pencil.
  2. Instead of covering the center of the chimney breast with one piece of wallpaper, use two pieces to cover it. This means placing one strip of wallpaper on one side of this line and the other on the other side of the line. If there are any other parts of the chimney that need to be covered, feel free to add further strips.
  3. Smooth the wallpaper so that it sticks to the adhesive. Moreover, use a seam roller to lessen the appearance of wallpaper seams.
  4. If you want the rest of the room to be covered in wallpaper, continue to do so.

Equipment

measuring tape

To complete these instructions, you will need a few pieces of equipment. The kit needed for both methods is the same. Thankfully, these objects can be obtained easily and none of them are very expensive. The items you need include:

    • A measuring tape - this DIY essential will enable you to get the perfect measurements for the wallpaper. 
    • Wallpaper - as mentioned, it can be hard to choose the right wallpaper. You can find this online or in home decoration and improvement stores. 
    • Wall adhesive - wall adhesive is essential for wallpapering. You can find budget-friendly options online. Alternatively, home improvement stores also stock it. 
    • A seam roller - to keep seams from popping up and running your wallpaper, you should utilize a seam roller. 
    • A pencil (optional) - this stationary item is brilliant for marking the central point of the waller. What’s great about it is that you can easily erase the mark if you choose to remove the wallpaper at a later date.

       

  • What are the Benefits of Wallpapering a Chimney Breast?

    This is a wonderful way of accentuating the chimney breast. It makes the chimney a focal point in the room, which will automatically catch the attention of anyone who enters the room. If you are looking for a bold aesthetic, this is an outstanding option. 
    As mentioned, wallpaper is a great way to personalize any room. It will make the room feel more unique and lively.
     

    Frequently Asked Question

    What are the Advantages of Wallpaper?

    The main reason why people opt for wallpaper is that it is great from an aesthetic point of view. There are tons of different patterns and prints out there, coming in different styles and colors. Consequently, you can locate a wallpaper design that appeals to you.

    Another reason why wallpaper is popular is that it is durable, meaning that it is more long-lasting than paint. Therefore, if you are on the border of fitting wallpaper, there are lots of benefits to doing so.

     

    modern wallpapered chimney breast

    Wallpaper design used in the project: Hazelnut Color Horseshoe Pattern Wallpaper



    Can you Cover a Chimney Breast?

    Yes, you can. Just bear in mind that if you do not do this correctly, it can be a fire hazard. You should not have any wallpaper hanging over the fireplace, as this could catch fire. As a result, you may want to refrain from covering the fireplace if you use it regularly and are inexperienced with DIY.

     

    Final Thoughts

     

    Covering a chimney breast may seem like a daunting endeavor. However, with these straightforward steps, even DIY novices can get it done. After all, the trickiest part can be selecting a wallpaper that looks perfect. On the other hand, if you are nervous about this method going awry, you may want to contact a professional decorator to make your chimney breast wallpaper look wonderful.
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