How to Install Peel and Stick Wallpaper Murals

What You Will Need

• A tape measure
• A spirit level (or laser level)
• A pencil
• A sharp craft knife or utility knife with spare blades
• A straight edge or metal ruler
• A plastic smoother or squeegee
• A step ladder
• A soft microfibre cloth
• A second pair of hands (recommended)

Before You Begin

Prepare Your Wall

Your wall surface needs to be clean, smooth and completely dry. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or grime, and allow it to dry fully before you start.

Peel and stick wallpaper works best on:

• Smooth, painted surfaces (satin, semi-gloss or eggshell finishes)
• Primed and sealed drywall

Remove Outlet and Switch Covers

Switch off the power at the distribution board and carefully remove any light switch and plug socket covers from the wall. This gives you a much cleaner finish — you will trim around the openings during installation and replace the covers afterwards.

Acclimatise Your Panels

Unroll your panels and lay them flat in the room where they will be installed for 24 to 48 hours. This allows the material to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity, which helps with adhesion and prevents bubbling.

Organise Your Panels

Your panels are numbered from left to right — Panel 1 goes on the far left of the wall, and the last panel goes on the far right. Lay them out in order on the floor so you can see the full mural and confirm everything looks correct before you begin.

Each panel varies in width depending on your wall size, typically between 90 cm and 120 cm. The panel divisions are split equally across your wall width.

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Draw Your Guide Line

Walls and ceilings are rarely perfectly straight, so never rely on them as a reference. Instead, measure the width of your first panel from the left corner of the wall and make a small pencil mark. Use a spirit level to draw a vertical plumb line from ceiling to floor at that mark.

This guide line ensures your first panel is perfectly straight — and every panel after it will follow.

Step 2: Position Your First Panel

Take Panel 1 and peel back roughly 20 to 30 cm of the backing paper from the top. Do not remove the entire backing — you will peel it away gradually as you work down the wall.

Align the right-hand edge of the panel with your vertical guide line, leaving a small amount of excess material at the top (you will trim this later). This is why we recommend ordering a little larger than your exact wall dimensions — that extra few centimetres gives you a comfortable margin to work with and ensures full coverage even if your wall is not perfectly square. Press the top section gently onto the wall with light pressure.

Step 3: Apply the Panel

Slowly peel away the backing paper in 20 to 30 cm sections, smoothing the panel onto the wall as you go. Use your squeegee or smoother to press from the centre outward toward the edges. This pushes out any trapped air and ensures even contact with the wall.

Take your time — there is no rush. Work steadily from top to bottom, keeping the panel straight against your guide line.

Step 4: Apply the Remaining Panels

Pick up Panel 2 and position it alongside Panel 1. Your panels are printed with a small overlap allowance on the joining edge. Align the pattern carefully where the two panels meet, matching the design across the seam.

Repeat the same process — peel the backing gradually and smooth from centre to edges, working top to bottom. Continue with each remaining panel in numerical order.

Step 5: Managing the Overlap at the Joins

Your panels are supplied with a small overlap at each join. How you handle this overlap is up to you — both options below give an excellent result:

Option A — Leave the overlap as is

For our Classic Peel and Stick (smooth finish), the overlap adheres firmly to the panel beneath it and sits flat. Many customers prefer to simply leave it in place — the seam is neat and the slight overlap is barely noticeable.

For our Smeriglio Peel and Stick (textured finish), the overlap also adheres well, though textured surfaces naturally have slightly less contact area. Leaving the overlap in place works fine, but if you prefer an absolutely seamless look, we recommend trimming — see Option B.

Option B — Trim for a seamless finish (recommended for textured materials)

For a perfectly flush join with no overlap visible at all, use the double-cut technique:

1. Once both panels are in position with the overlap aligned, place your straight edge vertically down the centre of the overlapping area.
2. Using a sharp craft knife with a fresh blade, cut through both layers in one firm, steady stroke from top to bottom.
3. Carefully peel away the thin strip of excess material from the top panel.
4. Gently lift the edge of the top panel and remove the matching strip from the bottom panel beneath it.
5. Smooth both edges back down onto the wall — they should now meet perfectly edge to edge with an invisible seam.

Trimming and Finishing

Ceiling and Skirting Boards

Once all panels are installed, use your sharp craft knife and straight edge to trim the excess material along the ceiling line and above the skirting boards. Keep the blade fresh and use the straight edge as a guide for clean, precise cuts.

Around Plug Sockets and Light Switches

Where a panel covers a socket or switch opening, use your craft knife to carefully cut a small X shape over the opening. Fold the flaps back and trim neatly around the edges. Once finished, replace the socket or switch cover to frame the cut edges cleanly.

Corners

For internal corners, press the material firmly into the corner crease using your squeegee, then trim with a sharp blade.

For external corners (such as chimney breasts or columns), wrap the panel around the corner by at least 2 cm to ensure a neat, secure edge.

Aftercare

• To clean your mural, wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
• Avoid placing furniture directly against the mural where it may scuff or press into the surface.
• If an edge lifts over time, simply press it back down firmly with your smoother — the adhesive will re-bond.

Removal

When you are ready for a change, your peel and stick mural can be removed in one piece. Start from a bottom corner and peel slowly upward at a 45-degree angle. Take your time and the mural will come away cleanly without damaging your wall.