Apt.1 2F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.11

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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-10-14 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 2026

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Following the underlay board installation, it’s time to hang the wallpaper (cross). I used a textured fabric-weave, pre-pasted type. Here’s how it went.

2026 DIY Dad Notes: Kitchen Walls and Tategu Renovation

2026 DIY Dad Notes: Kitchen Walls and Tategu Renovation

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Fusuma Replacement Paper Kits

Fusuma renewal is the fastest Japanese-room refresh u2014 paper, paste, and 2 hours.

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With the 1st-floor kitchen walls finished, work moves to the final touches and tategu (sliding door) renovation of the 2nd-floor Japanese room (u548cu5ba4 washitsu). Apt. 1’s renovation is steadily nearing completion.

Choosing a Kitchen Wall Finish

Key points when selecting a finish for kitchen walls:

Wallpaper:

Choose stain-resistant u2014 grease wipes off easily
Anti-mold feature is ideal for humid kitchen conditions
White or light colors give a clean look and reveal stains early

Paint:

Water-based paint rated for kitchens and bathrooms (high mold and moisture resistance)
Gloss or semi-gloss makes stains easier to wipe
Kitchen panels are an option near the stove

From a rental cost-management perspective, DIY Dad opts for wallpaper.

2F Japanese Room Wall Renovation Complete u2014 Vol.11: Wallpaper

After 11 posts u2014 from the very first subfloor framing in Vol.1 all the way to wallpaper in Vol.11 u2014 the long-running 2nd-floor wall renovation is finally done. After completion, check:

Are wallpaper seams invisible? (check with a light at an oblique angle)
Are corners cleanly finished?
Are switch and outlet cutouts precise?
Has all the air been worked out, with the paper fully bonded?
Are the baseboard and ceiling molding lines clean?

Tategu (Fusuma, Shoji, and Doors)

Alongside walls, ceilings, and floors, the tategu is what defines a room’s feel. The 2nd-floor renovation covered:

Fusuma (u8956): Traditional solid sliding panels u2014 wrapped with wallpaper over the top instead of re-papering with fusuma paper
Shoji (u969cu5b50): Translucent paper-and-lattice screens u2014 either re-paper with shoji paper, or wallpaper them
Door frames: Wrapped in matching wallpaper for a unified finish

Wallpaper Tips for Beginners

Adhesive coverage: Apply evenly across the full back surface of the paper u2014 any dry spots lead to peeling
First sheet alignment: Get it perfectly plumb u2014 every sheet after follows from this one
Air removal: Smooth from the center outward with a smoothing brush
Seam bonding: Roll each seam with a seam roller
Trimming: Press a straightedge to the wall edge and cut precisely with a utility knife

The first couple of sheets take time, but you get into a rhythm quickly u2014 around 15u201320 minutes per sheet. DIY Dad can now paper a 6-mat room in half a day.

On with the actual wall papering. Laying down the sheets: