Wallpapering a room is one of the most rewarding ways to transform your home, but when you reach a window, it's natural to feel a little hesitant. From hard-to-reach corners and awkward shapes to matching patterns, it’s no secret that wallpapering around windows can be a bit of a challenge.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to wallpaper around a window with confidence, leaving you with a seamless finish every time. Plus, we've also included expert advice from Caroline Woolmer, Head of Product Design here at I Love Wallpaper, to help you navigate those tricky recesses like a pro.
Contents
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Is wallpapering around windows difficult?
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What you’ll need for wallpapering around windows
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How to measure around your window for wallpaper
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Preparing a window for wallpapering
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How to hang wallpaper around a window: step-by-step
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Frequently asked questions
Is wallpapering around windows difficult?
While adding wallpaper to a flat, open wall is a relatively straightforward task, windows introduce more architectural features like recesses, sills, and frames that need a bit more precision.
The challenge usually lies in making ‘relief cuts’ (a small slit that lets wallpaper sit flat around corners or obstacles without tearing) and making sure the pattern matches perfectly as you transition from the main wall into a recess. It’s often the part of the job that causes the most wallpapering jitters, but it’s actually very manageable once you know the right technique.
“I think people often feel intimidated by windows because they’re worried about cutting too much away or ending up with a messy corner,” says Caroline. “It’s a bit like wrapping a present with an awkward shape — you just need to take your time and make sure your paper is relaxed. Once you’ve done the first corner, you’ll realise it’s actually quite satisfying to see the paper fold neatly into place. The secret to success is having the right tools and a steady hand.”
What you’ll need to wallpaper around a window
Having the right decorating tools on hand makes the process much smoother. Before you start, check that you have the following ready:
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Utility knife with a fresh blade
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Wallpaper smoothing tool or brush
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Tape measure
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Ruler
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Pencil
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Scissors (Long-bladed)
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Sponge (For wiping away excess paste)
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Ladders (if required)
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Cloth for cleaning
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Dust sheet to protect the floor
Take a look at our professional-grade decorating tools to get your kit ready.
How to measure around your window for wallpaper
Paying attention to your measurements saves a lot of stress (and paper) later on. While you’ll generally use the same full-length strips you’ve used for the rest of the wall, knowing exactly how much you need for the areas above and below the window is key.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
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Measure the entire wall — Start by measuring the full width and height of the wall as if the window isn’t there.
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Measure the window area — Measure the width and height of the window itself, including the recess if you have one.
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Subtract the difference — Subtract the window's measurements from the total wall area. This gives you a clear idea of your coverage, but don't cut your paper to size just yet.
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Allow for excess — Always add around an extra 10cm to your strips for trimming at the top and bottom.
Caroline advises: “Don’t be tempted to try and save paper by cutting small patches for the areas around the window. It’s much better to use a full-length drop and trim it away. This keeps your pattern alignment perfect across the whole wall.”
If you’re unsure how much paper you’ll need, our wallpaper calculator is a great tool to make sure you’ve ordered enough rolls for those extra cuts.
Preparing a window for wallpapering
A flawless finish starts with a clean canvas. Before you even think about opening your paste or picking up your roller, you need to clean your walls and the window area to make sure the adhesive sticks properly.
Here’s what you need to do:
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Clean the area — Wipe down the window frame and the surrounding wall to remove dust, cobwebs, or debris.
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Fix imperfections — If there are any cracks or holes in the plaster around the window, use a suitable filler to patch them up and scrape as flat as possible.
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Sand it back — Once the filler is dry, lightly sand it until it's flush with the wall.
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Final dust-off — Give everything one last wipe with a damp sponge to remove any sanding dust and leave to dry completely.
How to hang wallpaper around a window: step-by-step
Traditional Check Panel Wallpaper in Cream and Blue with Blue Panel
The process you follow depends on whether your window is flush (sitting flat against the wall) or recessed (set back into the wall with a ledge). Recessed windows are more common in UK homes and require a few extra steps to cover the reveal (the sides of the recess).
Hanging wallpaper around flush windows
Flush windows are the easiest to handle because you don’t have to worry about folding paper into a recess. You're essentially just cutting a ‘hole’ for the frame. Here’s a simple, six-step guide to perfect walls every time:
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Hang your wallpaper
First, check whether your wallpaper is paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper. Mix your paste according to the packet instructions. For paste-the-wall wallpaper, apply the paste directly to the wall around the window. For paste-the-paper designs, apply an even coat of paste to the back of the wallpaper before positioning it.
Hold your paper against the wall, letting it drop right down over the window. Then, press it gently against the pasted surface as you would with a normal wall, but stop once you get near the window's edge. You want the paper to hang loosely over the window for now.
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Mark out the window edges
Next, you need to find out where the frame is hiding. Using your pencil, very lightly feel for the edge of the window frame through the paper and mark it out.
“You’re creating a guide for your cuts, so don’t press too hard or you risk tearing the wet paper,” Caroline says.
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Cut the wallpaper to size
Using your scissors, make a diagonal relief cut from the centre of the window area towards each corner of the frame. This releases the tension and helps to avoid the paper tearing. Then, use a ruler as a guide and cut as close to the frame as possible with your Stanley knife. Peel away the middle section, and suddenly you’ve found your window.
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Smooth out any lumps and creases
Now the excess is gone, use your wallpaper brush to work the paper right up to the frame. Smooth out any bubbles from the centre outwards.
Caroline says: “If you have a windowsill, take extra care to fold the paper into the join before trimming the excess away for a really crisp look.”
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Wallpaper above and below the window
For the sections above and below the window, repeat the previous steps using pieces that match the pattern of the strips you’ve already hung. Make sure to leave about 5cm of overhang at the top and bottom.
Smooth them down, match the pattern at the seams, and then trim the excess.
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Repeat steps 1-5
“Once you’ve completed the first side, you should start to get the hang of it. Repeat the process until the window’s fully framed,” Caroline says.
”If you come across any tricky fixtures like curtain pole brackets, you can use the same cross-cut technique to loosen the wallpaper and fold it into the crevices. Simply cut a small 'X' over the fixture, trim back the triangles of paper, and smooth it down for a neat finish.”
How do you wallpaper window recesses?
Wallpapering around a recessed window is slightly trickier and requires folding the paper into the sides (the reveals) and the top (the soffit) of the window opening. We’ve broken the process down into five steps:
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Hang your wallpaper
Apply your strip as usual, lining it up with your previous piece at the top and letting it hang down over the recess. Use your smoothing tool to fix the part that’s on the main wall, but let the part overlapping the window hang free for a moment.
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Cut and fold the wallpaper into the recess
“This is the part most people find the hardest, but it’s easier than you’d expect,” Caroline explains. “Make a straight, horizontal cut into the overhanging paper, level with the top of the recess and another level with the windowsill. Now, you can fold that flap of paper straight into the side of the recess. If the paper isn’t deep enough to reach the window frame, don't panic — you can add a small filler strip later.”
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Wallpaper above and below the window
To do the 'soffit' (the ceiling inside the window recess), you’ll need a separate piece that matches the pattern.
Measure the depth of the recess and add that to the height of the wall above. When you hang it, fold it under and into the top of the recess. Do the same for the area under the sill if needed, though you usually won’t need to paper into the bottom of the recess as the sill sits there.
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Fill any gaps
“You might find a small triangular gap in the top corners of the recess,” explains Caroline. “To fix this, cut a small patch that matches the pattern. Slip it under the main piece, overlapping slightly, and smooth it down.”
“Use a seam roller to gently press down the join between each strip. It’s a bit like fitting together two pieces of a jigsaw, and once it’s dry, the finish should look smooth and seamless.”
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Repeat steps 1-4
Finally, just keep working your way across the window following the previous steps. The technique is exactly the same for the other side of the window.
Caroline says: “Interestingly, once you’ve learned how to wallpaper a recessed window, you can apply those same skills to doorways too. It’s the same basic principle of relief cuts that let you fold the paper into the crevices.”
Frequently asked questions
How to wallpaper around a door
Wallpapering around a door is very similar to a window. Here’s a quick overview of how to master those seamless wall-to-door transitions:
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Hang the full strip of wallpaper so it overlaps the door frame.
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Make a diagonal relief cut from the edge of the paper towards the top corner of the frame.
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Press the paper into the crease between the wall and the frame.
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Use a sharp Stanley knife and a straight edge to trim the excess.
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Smooth down the edges and wipe away any paste.
How to avoid creases when wallpapering a window
The secret to a crease-free finish is making relief cuts early. If the paper feels like it’s pulling or under tension, it will inevitably crease. By making small diagonal cuts at the corners, you release that tension, allowing the paper to lie flat.
Always use a proper wallpaper brush or smoother to push air bubbles toward the edges, and never over-soak the paper with paste, as this can make it stretch and warp.
How to choose wallpaper for window areas
While you can technically use any wallpaper design, some wallpaper types are especially well-suited for window areas and knowing how to choose them can make a big difference.
If you’re decorating a kitchen or bathroom where condensation might build up near the glass, we recommend choosing a wipeable wallpaper, as they are more durable.
For window recesses, textured wallpaper is an excellent choice. The added depth and dimension help to disguise any minor imperfections in the plaster or slightly uneven corners that are common in older homes.
How to pattern match around windows
“Patterned wallpaper designs can feel tricky to line up, but it’s all about the planning,” says Caroline. “Before you cut any strips, hold the roll up to the wall to see where the pattern falls. Measure from a prominent part of the design, like a flower or a geometric point, to the edge of the window. Keep this 'key point' in mind for every strip you hang to make sure the visual flow isn't broken.”
How to wallpaper awkward window shapes?
Caroline recommends: “If you have an arched window or an unusual shape, making a template first can help you avoid wasting wallpaper. To do this, use some plain tracing paper or even newspaper to map out the shape of the window. You can then use this as a 'stencil' for your real wallpaper.”
Whether you’re creating a feature wall or refreshing an entire room, wallpapering around windows is a skill that every DIYer can easily master with a bit of patience. Take your time, trust the process, and you'll have a professional-looking space in no time.
