Borders can put a finishing touch on a room or add a new dimension. Did you ever feel after you have just finished decorating a room and something is still missing? This particular accent can complete a room or living area. There are so many styles and varieties to choose from today. Having worked in a business that sold thousands of different patterns, I wanted to share with you three different ways to incorporate this decorating accent. You can apply borders to a painted wall, over wallpaper, and even on paneling. There are some simple steps to take in each of these situations. This page will give you the basics to get your project off the ground. Let start off with painted walls.

I think we have all learned from doing something and doing it the wrong way, I know I have. It is so important in any interior project to properly prepare your walls before painting, wallpaper, or paneling. Once the walls are washed, primed and painted, to me this becomes the fun part, picking out a border that can bring out a theme, and also match colors in your base foundation, accents and accessories. Lets start with the basics. Most borders today come with a pre-pasted back. What this means is the paper has already been treated with a paste or glue to help adhere to the walls. Most come in fifteen feet rolls, but it can vary in lengths and also widths depending on the company. Once the walls are painted and fully dried, go ahead and start this final project. You will need:

1. paper towels and a damp cloth
2. seam roller
3. material to protect the floor
4. brush
5. putty knife
6. ladder
7. flat surface to work with

Start a one end of the room and work around the room whether you are putting the border around the top or at chair level. Always measure around the entire room ahead of time before purchasing.

You can work using fifteen feet at one time. Take the paper and lay it face down on a flat surface. A little secret tip working with pre-pasted material. I will still apply a thin layer of paste along the back side of the border. It will help hold the border in place while applying and also adds to the paper staying up on the wall. The powder mixture works well with just adding water. Apply the paper and use your putty knife to smooth out the paper. The seam roller is great for butting up the seams. If fifteen feet is too much for you to handle at one time, you can cut it into two or three pieces. Make sure you have a ruler and a good pair of scissors. Whether you do the fifteen feet all at once or in sections, take your time and just make sure the paper is smooth and the seams are tight. This project doesn't have to be complicated.

Putting borders over wallpaper is done the same way except I use a different paste. There are thicker pastes available today just for this type of project. The paste is white and looks and feels like glue. It will hold your border very well against the wallpaper. Use it sparingly so you don't have an extra mess to clean up.

Putting a border over paneling requires a little extra work but it can be done. One of the keys is to use spackling compound to fill in the grooves of the panel. Once you have done this step, you have a choice to put a liner along the area you will be bordering. This will help with secure and level the paper correctly.

There are so many different choices available. Whatever your theme or color combination may be, picking out borders should reflect your own personality of the room. Research what is available today and find this particular accent for your room, and take your interior decorating to a new and exciting level!