Wallpaper installation is one of the most transformative and most technically demanding services in residential decorating. Done right, it looks extraordinary. Done wrong, it peels, bubbles, and misaligns within months. Windy City Painters has been installing wallpaper professionally throughout Chicago since 2003, handling everything from delicate grasscloth in Gold Coast dining rooms to bold geometric patterns in Lincoln Park bedrooms.
We install all wallpaper types including traditional paste wallpaper, pre-pasted wallpaper, peel-and-stick wallpaper, grasscloth and natural fiber wallcoverings, commercial and contract wallcoverings, fabric-backed vinyl, and specialty wallpapers including foil and textured papers. As a full-service painting contractor Chicago, we pair wallpaper installation with interior painting Chicago for complete room transformations.
The wall surface is critical to wallpaper longevity. We assess plaster or drywall conditions, repair imperfections, apply sizing to create proper porosity, and ensure surfaces are smooth and clean. For significant wall damage, our drywall water damage repair Chicago team addresses underlying issues first.
Before cutting a single strip, we plan the layout to ensure pattern repeats are centered, seams fall in inconspicuous locations, and pattern alignment is maintained throughout the room.
We cut strips precisely and apply paste according to the specific wallpaper manufacturer’s requirements. The correct paste type and application method varies significantly between paper types.
We hang each strip plumb using a level, smooth out air bubbles using professional smoothing tools, and ensure every seam is tight and invisible on high-quality papers.
We trim all edges at ceilings, baseboards, outlets, and switches with precision. After installation, we inspect every seam, bubble, and edge before leaving the job.
We use professional wallpaper removal solutions and techniques to remove paper without damaging the underlying wall surface. After removal, we skim-coat and sand as needed to return walls to a smooth, paintable condition.
Professional wallpaper installation in Chicago typically ranges from $75 to $150 per roll installed, depending on the wallpaper type, pattern match complexity, and wall condition.
Yes. Professional installation ensures proper surface preparation, precise pattern alignment, and smooth application without bubbles or peeling edges, particularly important for expensive designer papers.
You do not need to prepare anything. That is our job. We assess wall condition, repair imperfections, apply sizing, and ensure surfaces are ready before hanging.
Yes. Chicago’s older homes often have plaster walls and we have extensive experience wallpapering plaster surfaces. Proper sizing and preparation are critical for a lasting result.
A standard bedroom or dining room typically takes 1 to 2 days including prep. Larger spaces or complex patterns with big repeats may take 2 to 3 days.
We install wallpaper that you supply. We can advise on quantity needed and quality considerations. We work with all brands including Schumacher, Cole and Son, Farrow and Ball, and York.
Yes. Wallpaper removal is a service we regularly provide as part of a full wallpaper installation project. We remove old paper, address the underlying surface, and prepare walls for the new installation.
Grasscloth is a natural fiber wallcovering woven from grass, jute, or seagrass. It adds beautiful texture but requires careful handling and specific installation techniques. We install grasscloth regularly.
With natural fiber wallcoverings like grasscloth, seam visibility is inherent to the material and considered normal. With standard paper and vinyl wallcoverings, seams should be essentially invisible when installed professionally.
Yes. We install commercial-grade wallcoverings in offices, lobbies, restaurants, and retail spaces throughout Chicago. We carry appropriate insurance and can work around business hours.
Ready to transform a room? Call (773) 818-6331 or request your free estimate online.
Related services: Interior Painting Chicago · Cabinet Painting Chicago · Drywall Repair Chicago