DIY: GET READY TO WALLPAPER

Top tips for... preparing to paper walls

:: When buying your wallpaper, make sure all the rolls have the same
batch number because there can be slight differences between batches.
And remember to get extra rolls, depending on how many walls you're
planning to paper, to allow for mistakes and wastage. This is especially
important if you're buying a discontinued line or sale stock.

:: One of the best ways to use wallpaper is to confine it to a feature
wall - chimney breasts, alcoves and walls behind beds work well. If
you're covering more than one wall, make sure the wallpaper you choose
doesn't overpower the room, especially if it's patterned and the room is
small.

:: Clear the room as much as possible before starting to paper. This
will make the job quicker because you'll be able to get to the walls and
judge how the pattern's falling more easily (if the wallpaper's
patterned). You'll also have room for your wallpaper table, and your
furniture won't get splattered with paste. You will need to cover the
floor, especially around the table, to protect it.

:: If you're using patterned wallpaper, expect more wastage because of
matching up the pattern. Plan carefully where you want the pattern to
fall, especially if it's a large one. The first drop should be hung in
the centre of a focal point, such as the most prominent wall. Work
outwards from this piece and the pattern should fall in an aesthetically
pleasing way.

:: Paste-the-wall papers are easier to use than conventional ones. As
the name says, you only paste the wall, so you don't have to wait for
the glue to soak in and you don't have to handle soggy paper. If you're
new to wallpapering, this variety is a good place to start, although
you'll have fewer designs to choose from.

DIY news bulletin

:: For a chance to start 2010 with one million Nectar loyalty card
points, take part in the Homebase home and garden survey - time's
running out because the closing date is December 31. Tell them about
your home and gardening habits and they'll tell you what your answers
say about you.

The survey, which takes about five to 10 minutes to complete, also
offers 15 runners-up prizes of 100,000 Nectar points to win (terms and
conditions apply). Take part in the survey at www.homebase.co.uk.

:: Online bespoke shutter and blind manufacturer The California Company
is offering 15% off its hardwood plantation shutters until January 28 -
prices start at £157.25 per square metre, down from £185.

The wooden shutters are made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified
yellow poplar or elm - trees that are durable against warping - and the
wetroom shutters are made from waterproof polyvinyl. They come with
fitting instructions - DIYers need only a screwdriver and drill - and a
three-year guarantee.

Order online at www.thecaliforniacompany.co.uk, where there are
measuring and design guides, a quick-quotation service and a gallery of
images. Use promotional code WINTER15PC to get your 15% discount at the
checkout.

Ask the expert

Q: I've got black beams in my bedroom that I'd like to lighten up. Will
this be possible?

A: It's certainly possible to find a DIY solution, but it won't
necessarily be easy. Start by seeing if you can sand the colour off.
However, if the beams have been stained, the colour is likely to have
penetrated deep into the wood, so try paint stripper on a tester patch
to see if that works. If not, your best option is probably to paint the
beams, ensuring that you use a primer that will stop the stain bleeding
through. If the beams have been painted rather than stained, try a
poultice-type stripper. When you've got all the paint off, which may
take some time, stain, varnish or wax them in your chosen colour.

Seasonal task

A quick and easy way to draught-proof your windows and doors is to use
weatherstripping or foam draught-excluder tape. These are inexpensive to
buy and straightforward for DIYers to fit.