How to apply wallpaper around windows and doors
1 Apply wallpaper around the door with an overlap and place correct cuts in the corners
Wallpapering around doors is not as tricky as it might seem. So let's approach it in a relaxed manner. Always wallpaper from one side towards the door.
Step-by-Step instructions
- 1 Make sure the pattern aligns, then carefully press the cut wallpaper length to the wall. Use your wallpapering brush (or simply your hand) to smooth the overlap from top to bottom onto the door frame.
- 2 With the back of a pair of scissors, create a line marking the door frame. Be very careful not to damage or cut the wallpaper at this point.
- 3 In your mind, add about 2-3 cm to this marker line, before cutting off the overlapping material along this new line with your scissors. Lifting the edge of the wallpaper slightly from the wall will make it easier to reach the cutting line.
- 4 At the corner of the door frame, place a small cut in the wallpaper so the overlap can be folded around the corner.
- 5 With a ruler or a wide wallpapering spatula, press the wallpaper firmly on the door frame and carefully cut the overlap along the vertical and horizontal outer edges of the frame.

2 Add the next few lengths, cut off overlapping material
Now cut the wallpaper length that will go above the door. Don't forget to align the pattern. Remember to add overlaps of about 2 cm towards the ceiling and the door frame. You can use cut-offs for this area, as long as the pattern aligns. Depending on the width of the door, you will need 1 or 2 cut-offs. Now put the short wallpaper pieces up.
Then continue with a full length, again factoring in the pattern alignment. Cut the wallpaper at the corners of the door frame as described above in order to adapt it exactly to the frame. The last step is to again remove the overlaps at the top and side of the door using a ruler, spatula or utility/cutter knife.

3 Apply wallpaper with an overlap around the windows, place cuts in corners and fold inwards
Let's talk about wallpapering around windows now. We will describe the process of approaching the window from the left.
- 1 The wall has been finished and the next length will touch the window. Cut the length as per usual and then align it with the pattern of the last length.
- 2 Make sure there is an overlap over the window frame. This will later be folded inwards in order to create a clean line towards the outer edge of the window. Apply the length of wallpaper so that it covers the window reveal. For instance, if the window reveal is 10 cm, the wallpaper length should have an overlap of 11 cm.
- 3 Use scissors or a utility/cutter knife to carefully place cuts in the overlap underneath the window lintel and at the top edge of the windowsill so you can then adapt the wallpaper to the window reveal (just like our wallpaper girl does!).
- 4 Now cut the wallpaper in the window reveal (flush with the window frame), using a utility/cutter knife. Alternatively, you can draw a thin pencil line, carefully pull the wallpaper up a little, and then cut it along the line with your scissors.

4 Apply the first length of wallpaper above the window with overlap
The following length (to go above the window) must be cut including the overlap for the window lintel (plus 2 cm towards the ceiling and 2 cm for the window lintel to ensure it is covered all the way to the window frame). The important thing to note for this step is that the lengths of wallpaper need to overlap when put them up on the wall. In other words:the piece of wallpaper above the window that is already in place will be covered with the one you apply next. (Again making sure the pattern aligns exactly).
Apply the length and fold it into the window lintel. Now remove the small overlap along the window frame with your spatula, ruler or utility/cutter knife. Don't forget to also cut off the overlap towards the ceiling.
Follow the above instructions when wallpapering the area underneath the windowsill. This is a more simple process as you don't have to worry about the window reveal.

5 Removing the overlap with a double seam cut
You will now need to cut off the overlapping length. This is done using a double seam cut. As we applied the lengths from left to right around the window, the first double seam cut is done to the left and above the edge of the window reveal. When we reach the opposite side of the window, the second double seam cut is performed to the right and above the edge of the window reveal.
You can find more detailed information about the double seam cut under „How to achieve the double seam cut. “We already described the process when we talked about wallpapering corners.
Set a wide wallpapering spatula or ruler exactly onto the edge of the overlap and cut the wallpaper length with your utility/cutter knife vertically in a downward motion. This will create both a clean edge and the perfect pattern alignment.
Now carefully lift the length above the window lintel just enough to pull out the wallpaper cut-off strip below. Finish by smoothing the length back into place.