How to Hang Wallpaper Around Corners – DIY Guide
Walls & Plastering › Wallpaper
How to Hang Wallpaper Around Corners
Get clean, professional corner joins every time — inside and outside.
To hang wallpaper around corners, wrap a trimmed strip around the corner leaving a 10–15mm overlap onto the next wall, then hang a freshly plumbed new strip on the return wall to cover the overlap and give a straight, aligned finish.
Measure and cut the corner strip
Measure the distance from your last hung strip to the corner at three points — top, middle, and bottom — and use the widest measurement. Add 15mm to that figure and cut your next wallpaper strip to this width. The extra 15mm will wrap around the corner onto the return wall, creating a controlled overlap rather than a ragged torn edge. Keep the off-cut piece — you will use it on the return wall.
Hang and smooth the wrap strip
Paste the trimmed strip in the usual way, then hang it so it butts neatly against the previous strip and wraps the 15mm overlap firmly around the corner onto the return wall. Use a smoothing brush to push the paper tightly into the corner crease, working out any air bubbles. On an inside corner, the paper will sit flat naturally; on an outside corner, make small vertical release cuts into the overlap so the paper lies flat rather than creasing or tearing.
Establish a new plumb line on the return wall
This is the most important step when turning any corner. Measure the width of your off-cut strip and mark that distance from the corner on the return wall. Use a plumb bob or spirit level to draw a true vertical line at that mark — corners are almost never perfectly plumb, so starting from the corner edge without re-plumbing guarantees pattern drift. For a detailed overview of wall prep techniques, see our Walls & Plastering Guide.
Hang the return strip to the new plumb line
Paste the off-cut strip and hang it so its factory edge aligns exactly with your new plumb line. This strip will overlap the 15mm wrap you hung in step three. On plain or texture wallpapers, the overlap can sit as is. On patterned paper, use a straight edge and craft knife to make a double-cut through both layers of paper at the overlap, then remove the two waste strips and press both edges flat — this gives an invisible butt join. Use a damp sponge to wipe away any paste squeezed out from the seam.
Finish seams and check alignment
Run a seam roller gently along the corner join and any butt seams — do not press hard on embossed papers or you will flatten the texture. Step back and check the pattern alignment across the corner from normal viewing distance. Wipe down all surfaces with a clean damp sponge to remove paste residue before it dries. Allow the wallpaper to dry naturally — avoid forcing heat into the room, which can cause shrinkage and open seams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a full-width strip to go around a corner rather than trimming it?
You can on inside corners if the wall is almost perfectly plumb, but it is rarely a good idea. Corners almost always deviate from true vertical, so a full-width strip will either crease or pull away from the wall, and you will have no reference point for re-plumbing the return wall.
How do I handle patterned wallpaper at a corner without losing the pattern match?
Use the double-cut method: hang the overlap strip and then the return strip so the pattern aligns as closely as possible, then cut through both layers simultaneously with a sharp craft knife. Remove the waste slivers, press both edges flat, and the pattern will match perfectly at the seam with no visible overlap.
What should I do if the corner itself is damaged or crumbling?
Is there a difference between hanging wallpaper on inside corners versus outside corners?
Yes. Inside corners are more forgiving because the wall holds the paper in place naturally. Outside corners are exposed and under more tension, so release cuts are essential to stop the overlap pulling away. Outside corners also benefit from a slightly wider overlap — 20mm rather than 10mm — for a stronger bond.
Do I need to use a different adhesive for corners?
Your standard wallpaper paste is fine for most papers, but if you are hanging a heavy or vinyl wallpaper, apply a small amount of overlap adhesive or border paste to the overlapping section at the corner — standard paste will not bond vinyl to vinyl reliably. If you are hanging lining paper first, butt join it at corners rather than overlapping to avoid a ridge showing through the top layer.
Before hanging the first strip of the day, mark every corner in the room with its measurement from the previous strip to the corner, so you know in advance which strips need to be trimmed and can cut them all on the pasting table in one go. This prevents mid-hang measuring errors and means your paste timing stays consistent — wet paper left waiting while you measure is one of the most common causes of adhesion failure at corners.
Sources
- Which? — How to hang wallpaper — which.co.uk
- HSE — Safe use of stepladders and ladders for decorating — hse.gov.uk
- Decorating — Wallpapering corners, Homebuilding & Renovating — homebuilding.co.uk
This guide is for general information only. Always work safely and follow manufacturer instructions. DIYnut accepts no liability for injury or damage arising from DIY work.
