How To Wallpaper A Chimney Breast

People often search for tips or a solution on how to wallpaper a chimney breast, but many don’t realise that it is no different in technique from any other wall or wallpapering a feature wall.

The only exception and most important thing to consider is where the best starting point may be, which can often be dictated by the size of pattern on your chosen wallpaper.

For large-patterned wallpapers it is important to make sure the most prominent part of the design or motif is centralized on the chimney breast to provide the most balanced effect.

However, if you hanging wallpaper in the entire room, then you need to consider the best starting point as a whole, so please consider our guide where to start wallpapering for more information.

Below are two examples and options to consider when deciding how to wallpaper a chimney breast.

Please note though if you are purchasing luxury wallcoverings then we would always consult the advice of a professional decorator, as these notes are only here to serve as a guide.

How to wallpaper a chimney breast - Method 1

Method 1:

1. Centralizing the first wallpaper length actually on the central vertical guideline of the chimney breast.
2. Once you have measured the central point on the chimney breast (denoted by the red dotted line), you can then centre the first length.
3. First length positioned equidistantly over the central vertical line.
4. Paper to the right of the first length around the external corner and into the internal corner.
5. Paper to the left of the first length around the external corner and into the internal corner.
6. Continue all the way around the room, joining in the internal corner to the left of the chimney breast (if papering the whole room).

Method 2:

1. Centralizing the design by hanging the first and second lengths either side of the vertical central guideline.
2. It can often make more sense to hang your first two lengths either side of the vertical guideline.
3. Hang the first length to the left of the guideline.
4. Hang the second length to the right of the guideline (of course, actually butt-joining with the first length).
5. Continue hanging around the external corners to the left and right of the first two hangs into the internal corners to either side of the chimney breast.