When Wallpaper Installation Doesn’t Go as Planned

Amie Wouda
Feb 19
4 min read

Updated: Feb 20

A calm guide to lifting seams, air bubbles, and wrinkles

Let’s say this first:

Even the most experienced installers run into issues sometimes. If your wallpaper isn’t perfect on the first try, you didn’t fail.

Wallpaper is one of the most impactful DIY projects you can take on — it can transform an entire room in a few hours. Don’t let fear hold you back.

Wallpaper is tactile. It responds to temperature, pressure, surface prep, even humidity. Sometimes a seam lifts. Sometimes a bubble appears the next morning. Sometimes a wrinkle forms while you’re aligning a pattern.

Most issues are fixable and often much simpler than they look.

Here’s what to do.

Don’t Skip Prep

We’ll say it over and over, because it matters.

Even the cleanest-looking walls need to be washed. Use mild soap and warm water for most spaces. For dirtier walls, consider a stronger cleaner to remove residue or grease.

The smoother the surface, the better the result. Sand rough areas. Fill and sand holes. Take your time here.

And one detail many people overlook: Paint cure time.

Check with your paint manufacturer, but generally speaking, most paints need at least 30 days to fully cure. Installing too soon can lead to off-gassing, which may cause lifting in the weeks after installation.

Prep isn’t glamorous but it prevents most problems before they begin.

Homeowner's daughter preparing a smooth wall surface with a scraper before installing nursery wallpaper — essential wall prep for custom nursery décor, personalized wall art, and children’s room wallpaper to ensure a flawless, professional finish for a baby’s space.

During Installation: The Tools That Matter

Two things make a noticeable difference:

For peel-and-stick: We strongly recommend E-Z Hang. It gives you a bit of slip for alignment and can help improve adhesion on tricky walls.

For traditional wallpaper: We love Roman 880 strippable paste for a reliable hold.

And then — the most important tool of all:

Squeegee. Squeegee. Squeegee.

Always smooth from the center outward using firm, even pressure. Even the smallest air bubble can become a problem later. Proper pressure activates the adhesive and ensures consistent contact with the wall.

A seam roller (available at hardware stores or online) is also your friend. It helps press seams flat and secure without damaging the surface.

Good prep and proper smoothing solve most issues before they ever start.

But even with great prep… sometimes the unexpected happens days or weeks later.

Here’s how to fix it.

A blue E-Z Hang spray bottle placed next to a roll of floral wallpaper on a wooden surface. The background features a similar floral pattern, creating a calm and cohesive setting.

If Seams or Edges Start Lifting

Not enough pressure applied during installation

Lifting is usually caused by one of three things:

A slick or lightly textured wall surface
Temperature variation (especially on exterior walls)
Not enough pressure applied during installation

Step 1: Press and Warm

Use your squeegee with firm pressure to press the seam back down. Sometimes that’s all it needs.

If the room is cold, gently warm the area with a hairdryer on low. A little warmth can make the adhesive more flexible and help it grip.

Step 2: Add Reinforcement

If lifting continues, apply a small amount of Roman Seam Repair Adhesive underneath the edge. Smooth firmly with your squeegee and seam roller, then wipe away any excess.

This provides extra hold exactly where it’s needed — without affecting the appearance of your wallpaper.

Pro tip: Lifting almost always starts at seams. That’s why firm smoothing during installation matters so much.

Siblings installing floral nursery wallpaper with soft botanical illustrations, smoothing the panel for a seamless finish — creating a custom nursery décor feature wall with personalized wall art perfect for a baby’s room or children’s bedroom.

If You Notice Air Bubbles

Air bubbles can look dramatic — but they’re usually the easiest fix.

Small bubbles: Use your squeegee and work from the center of the bubble outward toward the nearest edge. Often the air will release naturally.

Stubborn bubbles: Use a fine pin to make a tiny puncture at the edge of the bubble. Gently press the air out with your squeegee or fingers.

Once flattened, the puncture is nearly invisible.

Air bubbles typically mean the panel wasn’t pressed firmly enough during installation — another reason steady, even pressure matters.

Homeowner's daughter installing blush floral nursery wallpaper with hand-drawn roses and delicate greenery, smoothing the panel for a seamless finish — creating custom nursery décor and personalized wall art for a cozy baby girl’s room or elegant children’s space.

If Wrinkles Appear

Wrinkles usually happen when a panel adheres before it’s fully aligned.

If you catch it early:

Gently peel the panel back slowly
Reapply using E-Z Hang for a bit of slip
Float it back into position
Smooth firmly from the center outward

If the wrinkle has already adhered strongly, carefully peel and reset the panel rather than trying to force it flat. Forcing can stretch the material and make things worse.

Peel-and-stick is forgiving — but it rewards patience.

Elegant botanical floral border with delicate beige linework leaves and blossoms on a soft neutral background — artist-drawn accent design perfect for personalized nursery décor, custom wooden wall art, and timeless kids’ room wall styling.

A Final Encouragement

Every beautiful room you’ve ever admired was installed by someone who adjusted something along the way.

Wallpaper is meant to be workable. With the right tools — E-Z Hang for slip, a proper squeegee for pressure, and seam adhesive for reinforcement — nearly every common issue has a solution.

You don’t need perfection. You need patience, pressure, and a little confidence.

And if you ever feel unsure, we’re here to help you troubleshoot.

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