When it comes to wallpapering, some people are too scared to try doing it themselves and instead opt to pay a professional decorator to do the job for them. However wallpapering has a bad reputation for being difficult when in all honesty it isn’t that hard a skill to learn. Although we’ve all heard of wallpapering horror stories of matching up patterns, wallpaper peeling off or getting into a sticky mess, in reality this has only happened to a very small fraction of people who decide to undertake wallpapering themselves and the main reason for problems is a lack of the correct tools to make their life easier. Here we take a look at four main wallpapering tools and how they can be used when decorating. Wallpaper Remover Preparation is key when it comes to wallpapering so one of the main items you will need is a wallpaper remover. Although there are a number of liquid products on the market such as wallpaper remover concentrates, most wallpapers can be removed easily by scoring the walls and then using a wallpaper scraper to lift the old wallpaper from the wall itself. These come in a range of different styles and by different manufacturers but essentially all have some sort of flat edge that goes to a nice point to slide under the wallpaper and slide it off the wall. For problematic wallpapers, steamers are also effective at removing old wallpaper. Wallpaper Scissors Once you have prepared your walls for new wallpaper to be hung, the next tool you will need is a good quality pair of wallpaper scissors. These can be used to cut either lining paper or wallpaper to length. Remember to cut the lengths longer then you need though to allow for easy hanging and any shrinkage that may occur. Always ensure that your wallpaper scissors are sharp as blunt scissors can end up tearing the wallpaper and wasting a length. Wallpaper Brush A wallpaper brush is essential for applying wallpaper adhesive, whether pre-mixed or a do it yourself option. A good quality wallpaper brush will ensure that the wallpaper paste is spread evening across either the wallpaper or the wall itself, depending on the type of wallpaper you are planning to use. There are also a range of soft bristled wallpaper brushes and specially designed smoothers available to buy which help to remove trapped air from behind the wallpaper when hanging it. This will ensure a smooth, flat finish, just like the professionals achieve. Wallpaper Knives The final essential wallpapering tool that you will need is a wallpaper knife. Wallpapering knives have been specially designed to slicing easily through all types of wallpaper including thick anaglypta styles as well as thin lining papers. A good quality knife will ensure that by scoring off those excess edges after hanging your wallpaper, you’ll get a neat and tidy finish. So whether it’s your first attempt at wallpapering or if you’re well-seasoned in the art of hanging wallpaper, those four simple wallpapering tools can make life so much simpler for you.