How to Hang Lining Paper

Hanging lining paper before painting or wallpapering is essential to ensure a professional finish. It’s a good idea to apply lining paper if the wall has minor imperfections, such as dark marks that could show up under paint. It can also stop wallpaper from shrinking.

 Our guide to hanging lining paper includes everything you need to know, from choosing the right products to the tools you’ll need, the best application methods, and answers to frequently asked questions. Read on to find out more.

What lining paper do I need?

Lining paper grades range from 800 (thinnest) to 2000 (thickest). The type you’ll need depends on the condition of the wall you’re working with. A low-grade paper will cover light marks or hairline cracks in plaster, while a high-grade paper will cover more significant imperfections. However, lining paper should never be used on crumbling plaster, damp, mould or deep cracks – you should always fix the problem before decorating so it doesn’t worsen.  

What do you need to hang lining paper?

The essential tools and equipment you’ll need to hang lining paper include:

• Wallpapering table

• Tape measure

• Wallpaper scissors

• Wallpaper adhesive

• Wallpaper brush or smoother

• Lining paper

Shop our extensive range of professional-grade wallpaper accessories to find the right equipment for the job.

What is the easiest way to hang lining paper?

Follow our step-by-step guide to get the best results when hanging lining paper:

1. Measure the area you want to paper.  Once you have the measurement, add 10cm to the total, as you’ll want to cover the corners for a smooth join between walls.

2. Cut your lining paper. Make sure to cut enough lengths of lining paper to cover the wall, whether you’re hanging it vertically or horizontally.

3. Apply adhesive. Lie each length of paper on your wallpapering table, then apply your chosen wallpaper adhesive.

4. Fold the paper. We recommend folding the paper in a concertina motion so it’s easier to hold when you apply it to the wall.

5. Let the paste soak into the paper. Around 5 minutes should be enough.

6. Apply the paper. Start at one end of the wall, using the brush or smoother to remove any creases or air bubbles. Work section-by-section to ensure a neat finish – the folds in your paper should make this easy.

7. Secure the edges. Use a seam roller over the edges of each length of paper before moving on to the next piece and repeating the process.

If you’re wondering how to hang lining paper vertically or how to hang lining paper horizontally, the steps are the same for both application methods.

Can you paint over lining paper?

We surveyed 13 professionals in the property and construction industry, and 90% said yes – you can paint over lining paper. In fact, it has several benefits compared to painting directly onto walls, as this application method ensures a smooth, even finish. It can also cover up the existing paint on your walls, meaning fewer coats are needed if you are painting over a dark or bright shade with a light or neutral colour.

Do you hang lining paper vertically or horizontally?

When we asked our survey respondents whether it’s better to hang lining paper vertically or horizontally, there was an even split between the two methods, with 50% preferring vertical applications and 50% preferring horizontal applications.

While both methods are suitable for painting over, our Academy expert Mark Rigby shares their advice for hanging lining paper before wallpapering:

“It’s best to hang your lining paper horizontally if you’re wallpapering over it, as wallpaper is always hung vertically. This method is known as cross-lining and stops the seams of the lining paper and wallpaper from overlapping, which may create bumps or creases, compromising the overall finish.”

Tips for hanging lining paper around corners

Our top tip for hanging lining paper around corners is not to overlap the paper. Instead, leave an excess of 10cm when cutting each sheet of your lining paper to size and fold it around the corner. This can be trimmed away afterwards, but it ensures that the lining paper on both walls sits flush at the corner, giving you a neat join.

Tips for hanging lining paper on ceilings

You can hang lining paper on ceilings, providing the finish is already smooth. If you have textured ceilings, find out how to remove Artex ceilings in our guide. Follow the same steps for hanging lining paper on walls and around corners for best results.

Looking for more decorating advice? Check out these related guides on our blog:

• How to Cut in Paint

• How to Repair Walls

• A Guide to Paint Stripping