How to Wallpaper Built-Ins + My Favorite Grasscloth

I got a TON of questions regarding the grasscloth wallpaper I selected for my office built-ins (shown above). I thought it was worth rounding up a bunch of my favorite swatches for you, as well as sharing a tutorial and my reasoning for wallpapering the back of the shelving in the first place. It really adds a ton of texture, character, and makes an ordinary built-in look even more stylized. The built-in DIY is hopefully coming to the blog next week- so stay tuned for that. Click through for the post! 

S U P P L I E S    +    T O O L S

Here’s what you’ll need to get started…

• grasscloth (or another preferred wallpaper)
• tape measure
• long ruler or yardstick
• cheap paint brushes
• wallpaper adhesive
• scissors
• self healing cutting mat
• x-acto knife
• squeegee
• shop rags or paper towels

Let’s dive in, shall we? This is what my “naked” built-ins looked like before I wallpapered. Again- the built-in tutorial is coming to the blog soon!

Step 1 // Measure. Depending on the size of your shelf or built-in- and the type of grasscloth or wallpaper you selected, you’ll need to determine how many rolls it will take. Consider the pattern repeat, length, and width. I only needed one roll for my entire wall of built-ins. Typically this is an inexpensive project that makes a big impact!

Step 2 // Prep and measure again. To get started, wipe your built-ins, removing any dust or debris. You’ll want a smooth, clean surface to work with.

I decided to paper the back panel of my shelving, so I only needed to measure the back rectangle- it was nice not having to worry about the sides.

Step 3 // Cut the wallpaper. I traced the basic measurements onto the backside of the grasscloth, then rough cut a piece of material from the roll, making it easier to work with.

After rough cutting, I moved the material to my cutting mat and used an X-acto knife to cut as precisely as possible.

Step 4 // Apply the adhesive. I prefer to use a cheap, inexpensive glue brushes to apply the adhesive. It goes on quickly and you can just toss the brush once you’re finished.

Dip the brush into the adhesive and apply the glue directly to the back of the primed built-in. You don’t have go all the way to the edge because the glue spreads outward once the wallpapered is pressed down. I typically stay within 1/4″ inch to the edge.

Step 5 // Squeegee the paper. Once you have the paper lined up in position and stuck to the adhesive, it’s time to squeegee it down for the permanent placement!

That’s it! It’s really an easy process that yields immediate results. Once the adhesive dries, you’re good to go! Style those shelves and enjoy the texture, color, and hint of pattern.

I have yet to style my shelves, because we’re still wrapping up construction and I like to dust once it’s all said and done, but I’m already loving the look of the grasscloth! This is the exact paper I used, but I’m sharing 16 of my other favorites below. I always recommend ordering a swatch or a single roll prior to committing. Click the swatches below to shop.

What are your thoughts on grasscloth? Wallpaper, in general? I think if you’re going to install wallpaper- grasscloth is about as timeless and classic as it gets. It’s typically a very safe bet! I enjoy seeing it installed in interesting places with unique applications- built-ins, closets, ceilings, fireplaces, etc… this textural material can really enhance so many vignettes! Let me know if you have installation questions in the comments below.