A length of wallpaper is all it takes to turn a plain roller shade into a work of art -- complete with its own frame. Showcase a very special piece, a favorite vintage paper, or a remnant. You can tie the room together with a pattern that echoes an existing motif, or build a head-to-toe look by using the same paper that's on the walls.
A reverse roll-shade (meaning a shade that rolls from front) works best. Ask for remnants at a wallpaper store for this project.
Tools and Materials
- Wallpaper
- Roller shade
- Nonskid metal ruler
- Craft knife
- Wallpaper adhesive and brush
- Uncoated lining paper (optional)
- Rolling pin
- Matte finish protectant (optional)
1. Select wallpaper in a thickness similar to the shade's.
2. Measure and cut wallpaper to fit shade, with extra to wrap around bottom of shade and roller at top.
3. Prepare proper adhesive; ask wallpaper dealer for guidance. Some papers come preglued and need only to be dampened; others call for paste. Delicate papers should be backed with uncoated lining paper first. When applying paste, work from one end to the other.
4. Lay shade flat on a work surface, and mount paper on shade, working from one end to the other and smoothing any bubbles with a rolling pin. Let adhesive dry. To protect delicate papers, spray with a matte finish for papers (available at art-supply stores) before installing the shade.
Purhaps the blind should have a coat of wallpaper sizing to get better adhesion.
I'm curious to know if these tend to curl on the sides when they are extended. I've noticed that vinyl shades do this even without any additional coatings added to them.
@cclyne - did you wash down the roller shade before using the adhesive? Use the same product you would use for washing down wallpaper & paint on walls for the shade.
i tried this wallpaper window shade project and the wall paper did not stick to the shade. Very disappointed