The Ultimate Guide to Wallpaper
We have put together a comprehensive guide to wallpaper to help you make an informed decision if you are considering to install wallpaper in your home or work space! Click on the section which you are interested in to find out more.
How to order wallpaper at Hello Circus?
- Is there a minimum order size for wallpaper?
- Which wall size should I specify when ordering wallpaper?
- What do I do if I have a custom wallpaper design?
- Can you put wallpaper on textured walls?
- Can you wallpaper over freshly painted walls?
- Wallpaper installation on painted surface
- Wallpaper installation on concrete and plastered surfaces
- Wallpaper installation on plasterboard, chipboard and wood fiber boards
- Wallpaper installation on previously wallpapered surface
- Wallpaper installation on painted fiberglass fabric
- Textile / Fabric Wallpaper like Seaweed / Grasscloth or Similar
- How much does wallpaper installation cost?
- How to fix bubbles in wallpaper?
- How to remove grease stains from wallpaper?
- How to hang pictures without nails on wallpaper?
- Do Command Strips work on wallpaper?
- How to remove wallpaper without damaging the wall?
- How to remove wallpaper glue from walls?
- How to remove wallpaper with fabric softener?
- Where to buy good wallpaper?
- Which is cheaper - paint or wallpaper?
- Is wallpaper toxic?
- What are our wallpapers made of?
1. How to order wallpaper at Hello Circus?
To order our wallpaper, please enquire by clicking on "Get Quote" on any of the product page and fill out the form. Most of our wallpapers are custom-made and we will need the exact dimensions of your wall to give you a quote. You are check out our full wallpaper collection here!
Wall Decals and stickers are available for purchase online.
Is there a minimum order size for wallpaper?
Yes, there is a minimum order of 3 m2.
Which wall size should I specify when ordering wallpaper?
Please provide us with the maximum wall height and width specifications of your wall even if there is a door or any obstacle on your wall. This is to ensure consistency of your wallpaper design. For instructions on how to measure your wall, please refer to our “How to measure your wall for wallpaper” guide.
What do I do if I have a custom wallpaper design?
Besides being an e-commerce store for wallpapers, we have an in-house studio of designers who are creating beautiful murals for you. If you have a specific pattern or design in mind, we can create a custom wallpaper just as you want it. Please contact us at hello@hellocircus.com with your designs and we will help you.
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2. How to prepare your wall for wallpaper installation?
Your wall should be smooth, clean, dry and flat in order to achieve the best result for wallpapers. We have listed down different tips for the various surfaces which we hope will be useful. Alternatively, we also provide professional installation services with a one year workmanship guarantee. You can leave it to our trusted professional installers to do the job!
Can you put wallpaper on textured walls?
Wallpapering directly over textured walls will result in bumpy wallpaper. The best way to smoothen out your wall is by plastering it. This will fill in all the unevenness in the wall, creating a nice smooth surface your wallpaper can adhere to. Here are some tips on how to prepare the different surfaces for wallpaper installation!
Can you wallpaper over freshly painted walls?
Paint must be fully dry before hanging wallpaper over it. Drying time depends on the type of paint, the number of coats, humidity and air flow. If wallpaper is applied too soon, the paint may bubble, causing the wallpaper to not adhere properly.
Wallpaper installation on painted surface
Wash with dish soap and water, or similar, and rinse with water. Remove any loose paint. If there are large holes, fill them and let dry before sanding the surface until it is smooth.
Wallpaper installation on concrete and plastered surfaces
Spackle (A paste that is used to fill cracks or holes in any surface) any holes or rough areas and joints. Plaster the whole wall and when the spackle is dry, sand, smooth and seal the wall with primer to ensure you have a smooth wall.
Wallpaper installation on plasterboard, chipboard and wood fiber boards
Spackle any nail and screw holes. The joints should be filled with spackle and jointing tape. Sand and smooth out and seal the wall with primer/sealer. Chipboards should be painted with alkyd primer/sealer before wallpapering, to ensure that the joints don't move.
Wallpaper installation on previously wallpapered surface
All loose wallpaper should be removed. Some wallpapers are peelable, which means that the first layer can be removed. If the first layer isn’t peelable, you need to plaster the whole wall and sand to ensure a smooth surface before applying the wallpaper.
Wallpaper installation on painted fiberglass fabric
Wash the surface with dish soap and water or similar and rinse with water. Plastering the whole wall and let the spackle dry. Sand, smooth and seal the wall with primer/sealer.
Textile / Fabric Wallpaper like Seaweed / Grasscloth or Similar
Remove all material from the wall, if it is to hard, use a wallpaper stripper. Spackle and seal the wall with primer/sealer.
Apply the plaster directly to the wall with a trowel and smoothen it out as smooth as possible. Any unevenness in your walls will show through your new wallpaper once it’s hung.
3. How to install wallpaper?
If you are planning to install wallpaper by yourself, you can refer to our “How To Install Wallpaper” guide for useful tips!
How much does wallpaper installation cost?
Wallpaper installation goes by the size of the wall. We currently offer installation in selected countries and states. More details can be found on wallpaper installation in Singapore.
How to fix bubbles in wallpaper?
If you are installing the wallpaper on your own, fixing wallpaper bubbles or bumps is a simple and quick process. Knowing how to fix wallpaper bubbles and bumps prevents further damage like tears or rips.
To fix an air-filled wallpaper bubble, you'll need a utility knife, a syringe, glue, a damp sponge, and a roller.
Instead of doing it yourself, you can also consider our wallpaper installation service if you are purchasing our wallpaper.
4. How to take care of wallpaper?
How to remove pen marks or grease stains from wallpaper?
For domestic stains, you can use a sponge dampened with water.
For stubborn stains, use water with mild dishwashing liquid. One section at a time, start lightly wiping from the bottom (avoid drips that might stain the wallpaper) and work your way to the top. Be careful not to scrub too hard or get the paper too wet.
How to hang pictures without nails on wallpaper?
We would recommend hanging your heavy photo frames with nails as adhesive options may tear your wallpaper, which will be difficult to rectify.
Do Command Strips work on wallpaper?
Command strips are not recommended as the strong adhesives may tear the wallpaper. Different finishes which may not allow adhesives to adhere to the wallpaper too. We would suggest using nails to hang your photos and decorations.
5. How to remove wallpaper?
How to remove or change wallpaper without damaging the wall?
The wallpaper material affects the removal process and whether it will damage the wall.
Traditionally, old wallpapers are removed by steaming and scraping. The wallpaper comes off slowly, tiny strip by tiny strip. It is a tedious process and may damage the walls.
Non-woven wallpaper has been the preferred substrate for interior designers. They are made using a mix of synthetic and natural fibers to create a durable, dimensionally stable wallpaper. Because of this stable property, the wallpaper strips nicely in full sheets without damaging the wall. All you need to remove these non woven wallpapers is hot water and a rag. Scraping and steaming is not required so it doesn't damage the wall.
How to remove wallpaper glue from walls?
To get rid of leftover adhesive, wipe it off with a bit of warm, soap water and a clean rag.
How to remove wallpaper with fabric softener?
Here at Hello Circus, we sell non-woven wallpaper. For non-woven wallpaper, fabric softener is not needed. Remove any leftover adhesives on the wall with hot soapy water and a rag.
6. Other FAQs about wallpaper and home design
Where to buy good wallpaper?
Looking for high-quality, well-designed wallpapers that will help you to create your own personalised space? We have a collection of high-quality, curated wallpapers that will fit the needs of every space, personalising and beautifying your personal spaces. Our wallpapers feature a durable, easy-to-maintain surface yet they remain thoughtful to our environment being 100% PVC and VOC-free.
Check out our full collection of wallpaper designs!
Which is cheaper - paint or wallpaper?
Quality wallpapers can usually last 3 times longer than paint, which makes it a more cost effective option in the long run. On the other hand, a painted wall chips and cracks over time, and requires frequent re-coating every 3 years to keep the wall looking fresh.
To find out more about the differences between paint and wallpaper, you can check out our blog article: Wallpaper mural vs paint: Which is better?
Is wallpaper toxic?
It is important to look for wallpapers that are not made with or coated with PVC. PVC emits toxic volatile organic compounds into the air we breathe in and can be hazardous for young kids.
Here at Hello Circus, we manufacture all our wallpapers in Europe with high quality substrates and inks to ensure a vivid print with great definition. Our wallpapers feature a durable, easy-to-maintain surface yet they remain thoughtful to our environment being 100% PVC and VOC-free. Our team of professional installers ensure quality workmanship with their expert technique and comes with 12 months warranty.
What are our wallpapers made of?
Our wallpapers are of a non-woven material. The material is made from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, and is one of the main reasons for why wallpapers now are not only of higher quality, but are environmentally friendly, washable, and breathable too. A heat treatment bonds the wood fibers and the base material tightly together, making the final product extremely durable and tear-resistant.