Are you curious if you can sleep in a room after wallpapering? Wallpaper is a common wall covering that is used to decorate the bedroom. They are available in a wide array of designs so you can choose the one that suits the theme of the room. Installing wallpaper is easy depending on the amount of wall that needs to be covered and the wallpaper that you are using. However, a lot of people are asking if it is okay to sleep in the bedroom that is newly wallpapered. We will find out the answer below.
Can you sleep in a room after wallpapering? It is best not to sleep in a room that has just been wallpapered. Some wallpaper uses paste or glue that contains chemicals that can be toxic when inhaled. Wait until the paste or glue has fully dried until you use the bedroom. The chemicals that are emitted by the glue can cause allergy and irritation. Moreover, prolonged exposure can cause possible health risks especially to children and the elderly.
Can wallpaper paste make you ill? Is wallpaper toxic? How do you hang wallpaper in your bedroom? What can you use instead of wallpaper paste? We will answer these questions and more. When wallpapering your bedroom, you need to be aware of the type of glue or paste that you are using. Some contains chemicals that are toxic when inhaled. Read the rest of the article below for more information.
Is Wallpaper Paste Toxic?
Wallpaper paste can be toxic. Some wallpaper paste contains solvent and chemical fumes that are dangerous when inhaled. It is recommended that you do not sleep in a bedroom that is newly wallpapered until the smell of the glue is completely gone. Moreover, make sure that the bedroom is properly ventilated as you hang the wallpaper so that the fumes won’t get stuck inside the room.
Does Wallpaper Paste Make You Sick?
Wallpaper paste can make you ill which is especially true if you are using traditional wallpaper glue. The glue can cause respiratory issues which are often caused by the mold that grows on the wallpaper. Aside from that, some wallpaper glue contains VOCs that are dangerous to your health.
What Is Wallpaper Paste Made Out Of?
Wallpaper paste is made from modified starch, clay, or methylcellulose. These ingredients help the wallpaper to stick into the walls. Nowadays, homeowners are also making their own wallpaper paste from ingredients that are usually found in the house like cornstarch and wheat.
Two Common Wallpaper Adhesives
The two common types of wallpaper adhesives are the cellulose methyl ether and the wheat based adhesive.
- Cellulose methyl ether – Also known as methylcellulose, it is a common adhesive but it can also cause allergy problems.
- Wheat-based adhesive – This type of wallpaper adhesive can be purchased in hardware stores. They come as brownish powder and should be mixed with lukewarm water.
What Can You Use Instead of Wallpaper Paste?
One of the materials that you can use to create a wallpaper paste is cornstarch. It is widely available, easy to make and can be used for both wallpaper and paper crafts. Make sure to mix the cornstarch properly to avoid lumps. To do this, mix a cup of sifted cornstarch with one gallon of water.
DIY Wallpaper Paste
You can use wheat and cornstarch to create a DIY wallpaper paste. Wallpapering a bedroom is an affordable way to transform the look of the room. The good thing is that there is a wide array of wallpaper available in the market so you can rest assured that you will find the one that suits your preferences and budget. Nowadays, wallpapers are available in pre-pasted for an easy installation. However, you can still purchase traditional wallpapers that are installed with paste. Below are the ingredients that you can use for making wallpaper paste at home.
Option 1: Cornstarch
You can use cornstarch for making a paste. It is easy to do and will only need a few materials. It is recommended that you make one batch at a time so that you can avoid having large lumps on the paste which can make installation harder.
To create cornstarch paste:
- Pour cornstarch into a container.
- Add hot water.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Heat the mixture.
- Stir the mixture until it thickens.
- Allow it to cool to room temperature.
Option 2: Wheat
Another ingredient that you can use to create a homemade wallpaper paste is wheat. This kind of wallpaper paste is usually sold on the market, but if you cannot find one, you can always create your own home.
To create the paste:
- Mix wheat flour and sugar.
- Heat the mixture.
- Add water into the mixture.
- Use a whisk to separate the lumps and cook until clear.
- Allow it to cool to room temperature.
✅ Video – Making Wheat Paste
Kristi Warren shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to make wheat paste. It is a simple method that you can do if you are looking for a DIY paste ingredient. You can watch the video below for the process.
Tips on How to Wallpaper Your Bedroom
To wallpaper your bedroom, you need to follow some steps to make sure that you are doing the right job. You need to choose the right wallpaper, prepare the room, and hang the wallpaper in a way that it creates depth into the room. If you are new at wallpapering, below are some tips and ideas to help you get started.
Selecting Wallpaper
When choosing wallpaper for your bedroom, you need to consider the existing theme and décor of the room. Would you like the walls to stand out? Is a featured wall enough or should you cover all walls? How about wallpapering 2 walls? Which pattern would look great with the theme? Choosing the right color, style, design, and pattern of wallpaper will transform the look of your room. It is up to you to decide what kind of transformation it should have. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, can I wallpaper 2 walls? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Adding Depth
If you have a small bedroom, wallpapering can help make it look bigger and spacious. The right wallpaper pattern can create the illusion of space. For instance, vertical stripes can make the walls taller than it actually is. Moreover, continuous single blocks of color with light tones allows light to reflect better making the room appear brighter.
Setting-Up the Bedroom
After you have chosen the wallpaper that you will use, it is time to set-up the room. Make sure to remove furniture near the walls that you will be working on. Moreover, place wallpaper or cloth on the floor to absorb any wallpaper glue that drips into it. Aside from that, you also need to prepare the walls. Remove any existing wallpaper and make sure that the surface of the wall is smooth and even to prevent bumps in the wallpaper.
Wallpaper Installation
After preparing the bedroom and the walls, you can now install the wallpaper. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when hanging the wallpaper. Take note that the installation will affect the durability and longevity of the wallpaper. Aside from that, it can also affect how hard or easy the wallpaper will be removed. Measure the wall so that you can determine the amount of wallpaper that you will use. After installing the wallpaper, wipe the edges of the wall with a damp sponge to remove excess glue.
Is Wallpaper Toxic?
Wallpaper can be toxic. Some wallpaper contains Polyvinyl Chloride or otherwise known as PVC. It is a toxic chemical that emits a lot of toxic fumes. Moreover, there are some wallpaper that contains toxins like Cadmium and Bromated Flame Retardants which are also dangerous to the health. To stay on the safe side, look for wallpapers that have low or are non-VOC.
Where Should Wallpaper Be Placed in a Bedroom?
If you want to create a featured wall in your bedroom, place the wallpaper in a wall that usually catches the attention of the people as they enter your bedroom. This is usually the wall at the head of the bed. You can also wallpaper all walls in your bedroom for a uniform look. Moreover, you can wallpaper two adjacent walls to create a unique feel. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses why vinyl wallpaper is bad. We have talked about the different reasons why vinyl wallpaper is bad for the walls and your health.
Should I Wallpaper My Bedroom?
For an easy and durable wall covering, you can wallpaper your bedroom. The right design or pattern of wallpaper can change the look and ambiance of the room. There is a wide array of styles that you can choose from. For instance, if you want to have a spa-like ambiance into your room, you can select simple and minimalistic wallpaper with nature designs. We have also shared this article that discusses which wallpaper is best for bedrooms. Check out the article for the different types of wallpaper that you can choose for covering your bedroom walls.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if you can sleep in a room after wallpapering. We have found out that wallpaper glue can emit toxic fumes so it is better to leave the room unused and wait for the wallpaper glue to dry. Otherwise, you will be inhaling those toxic fumes as you sleep at night. Thank you for reading!