How to Wallpaper a Chimney Breast

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.

1. Gather Your Tools

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.

2. Prepare the Area

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.

3. Measure Your Chimney Breast

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.

4. Apply Paste and Hang the Wallpaper

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.

5. Trim and 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.