Use Paper and Glue to Get the Hang of It

Creating a print room wall can be a satisfying project for anyone with patience and some crafts experience.

“Success depends on having a variety of sizes and shapes,” Dee Davis, a decoupage specialist, says. “If you simply repeat the same size picture and frame, it is boring. Also, you need to have unequal empty spaces so that the effect is balanced but not too balanced.”

When pasting prints onto a dark wall, paint the back of each print white so the dark wall won’t show through and make the image look dirty, Davis says. For an aged look, photocopy old prints onto ivory or cream paper. If the print is on white paper, lightly sponge it with cold black coffee or tea.

Use the floor to work out placement.

“It’s easier to move the items around on the floor and to get the measurements right,” says Donna Lang, author of “Decorating With Paper” (Clarkson Potter, $24).

For accurate placement on the wall, start with a non-oily removable adhesive. Once the prints are arranged, attach them with an adhesive that dries clear, such as white craft glue.

Remove excess glue with a damp sponge and use a smoother, a flat implement sold in wall-covering and hardware stores, to eliminate bubbles. If you want the look to last, seal the wall with latex polyurethane brushed on in light coats. Omit the sealer if you want easy removal.

“The wall color should complement the images,” Lang says. “Choose a soft green or soft blue behind botanicals, or gray for black-and-white engravings, for a subtle effect. Place black-and-white illustrations on a red wall for a dramatic effect.”