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How To, Wallpaper
Looking for a simple way to transform your space? Wallpapering a chimney breast is one of the most effective ways to create a striking focal point in your home. Whether you’re drawn to expressive prints, rich color or timeless texture, a chimney breast offers the perfect canvas for showcasing your personal style.
A chimney breast naturally draws the eye, making it the ideal place to introduce pattern, texture and color into your room. Whether your style feels bold and expressive or calm and considered, wallpaper can help define the mood of your space beautifully.
If you’ve never wallpapered before, don’t worry. With a little preparation and the right guidance, achieving a professional finish is easier than you might think.
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need close to hand:
• Dust sheet
• Plumb line
• Step ladder
• Tape measure
• Wallpaper scissors
• Paper hanging brush
• Stanley knife
• Clean cloth
Preparing your tools in advance helps the process feel smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.
Preparation is key to achieving a flawless finish.
Start by clearing the area around your fireplace and removing accessories from the mantelpiece. Protect your flooring with a dust sheet and ensure the wall surface is smooth, clean and dry before hanging wallpaper. Fill any cracks or imperfections and lightly sand the surface where needed. Taking time at this stage will help your wallpaper sit beautifully against the wall.
Careful measuring helps create a balanced, considered look.
Measure the full width of the chimney breast using a tape measure. Then measure half the width of your wallpaper roll and use a chalk plumb line to mark a vertical guide line from the centre point. Next, measure from ceiling to mantelpiece and from floor to ceiling. Add an additional 10cm to each measurement to allow room for trimming. This extra detail ensures a neat and professional finish once your wallpaper is in place.
To centralise your design perfectly, measure a second plumb line half the width of the wallpaper to the left of your centre line. Begin hanging the wallpaper from this guide for a symmetrical result. If you are using paste the wall wallpaper, apply paste directly onto the wall with a roller before positioning your first strip. Once aligned, smooth the wallpaper gently using a paper hanging brush, working from the centre outwards to remove any air bubbles and create a seamless finish.
Once the wallpaper is in position, use the back of your wallpaper scissors or a Stanley knife to mark where trimming is needed at the top and bottom. Carefully pull the wallpaper away from the wall slightly, trim neatly, then smooth back into place. When wallpapering the sides of the chimney breast, start from the front edge and guide the wallpaper carefully into the recess. Trim and smooth as before for a clean, tailored result.
Wallpapering a chimney breast is a beautiful way to bring personality and depth into your home. Whether you’re creating contrast in a living room or introducing softness into a bedroom, the right design can completely transform the feel of your space.
Discover some of our favourite Graham & Brown designs for creating a statement chimney breast.
Fresh, uplifting and full of charm, Nuit Lush Wallpaper brings a light and expressive feel to your interiors. A crisp white backdrop allows flourishing botanicals and delicate birds to take center stage, creating a focal point that feels inviting and full of character.
Perfectly partnered with warm neutrals and natural textures, this design creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels effortlessly timeless.
For those looking to create a more dramatic mood, Allure Wallpaper offers depth, richness and artistic detail.
Featuring hand painted florals, jewel toned birds and a striking dark backdrop, this design instantly draws attention while creating a beautifully cocooning feel within the room.
Pair with complementary paint shades to create a layered and thoughtfully curated interior.
A celebration of nature, our woodland wallpapers span lush greens and striking monochromes, bringing enduring style with effortless appeal.
Defined by luxury and rich texture, our flock wallpapers blend classic elegance with modern glamour, offering depth, drama and timeless style.
Rooted in our creative legacy, our floral wallpapers range from gentle pinks to rich greens, offering lasting elegance drawn from the natural world.
Full of imagination, our animal wallpapers feature playful monkeys and elegant swallows, adding charm and character to your space.
