Begin with a dry, clean, smooth and suitably absorbent wall. Check product reference and batch details and read the supplied hanging instructions.
Video Guide · Arte Wallcoverings
How to Hang Natural Wallpaper
This Arte video demonstrates the installation of natural wallcoverings such as grasscloth, sisal, paper weave, abaca and bark-effect designs, including preparation, layout, adhesive application, seams and corners.
Natural wallcoverings are intentionally less uniform than conventional printed wallpaper. The source guide notes that visible joins, subtle shade differences and panel effects can form part of the finished appearance rather than indicating a fault.
Video copyright: Arte.
Before Hanging Natural Wallcoverings
Inspect the material
Check the reference, batch and appearance of the wallcovering before cutting.
Plan the wall
Consider how the individual drops and natural shade variation will read across the finished surface.
Read the instructions
Backing type, adhesive, moistening and handling requirements can vary between natural wallcoverings.
Natural variation is part of the material. The source specifically notes that visible seams, subtle colour variation and a panelled appearance can be normal with handcrafted natural wallcoverings. Inspect several drops together and judge the overall wall rather than expecting machine-made uniformity.
Key Steps from the Arte Video
Roll out the wallcovering on a clean surface and check for damage or faults, while also becoming familiar with the natural variation in the material.
The Arte demonstration considers how the drops will be distributed across the wall and uses a centred, balanced layout. Treat this as a planning principle rather than assuming every room must begin in the middle.
Once the first drop position is chosen, mark a straight reference line with a level, plumb line or laser.
Measure the wall and prepare the required lengths with enough surplus for final trimming. Mark the top of each drop if hanging direction needs to remain consistent.
In the Arte demonstration, the reverse of the natural wallcovering is moistened evenly with clean cold water, folded and allowed to rest briefly. Do not apply this treatment automatically to every grasscloth or natural wallcovering.
The source uses Arte Clearpro for the demonstrated wallcovering. Adhesive is brushed into edges and rolled across the main wall area in an even coat.
Bring the prepared length to the wall, align it to the vertical guide and avoid transferring adhesive or excessive moisture onto the decorative natural surface.
Use the tools approved for the material, work from the centre towards the edges, and trim cleanly at ceiling and skirting with a sharp blade.
Position each new length against the previous one and finish the seam without forcing adhesive onto the face. Natural joins may remain visually apparent.
Step back and assess the shade, panel effect, seams and overall balance before continuing. This is particularly important with naturally variable materials.
The source demonstrates methods for inner and outer corners, including overlaps, trimming and wrapping. Construction varies, so use the technique specified for the exact natural wallcovering.
What to Expect from Grasscloth & Natural Wallpaper
Visible joins can be normal
Natural fibres and handcrafted surfaces may make individual drops more apparent than they would be with a conventional printed wallpaper.
Shade variation can be normal
Differences in fibre, texture and tone can produce a subtle panelled appearance across the wall. The source treats this as characteristic of the material.
Because these characteristics are part of the visual effect, the source recommends checking the appearance as installation progresses rather than waiting until the entire room is complete.
Professional installation is worth serious consideration. The supplied source recommends an experienced decorator or wallcovering installer, particularly for natural and grasscloth products.
Related Wallpaper Guides
Natural variation is part of the finished look
Check several drops together, follow the product-specific installation instructions and judge seams, shade and texture as the wall develops.
