Chair-rail height
Chair rails are normally positioned about 1/3 of distance from the floor to ceiling.  The general rule of thum is 32 inches to the center of the border.    Premark the wall using a level and chalk line so that there is no guessing to installing the border at a horizontal line.

Framing a Door or Windows
When installing a border around a window or door,  start left to right.  The pattern will run up the left side, across the top, and back down the right side.  To install a border around a frame, you simply overlap the 2 ends, line up your straight edge with the inside corner over the overlapped border to the outside edge at a 45 degree angle and cut through both layers.  Gently remove the excess material.

Be Creative!
Borders can be used to frame a ceiling - just follow the same process and framing a door or window.

Also you can create a custom 'picture' by installing a square of decorative wallpaper on a painted wall, then use a coordinate wallpaper border to frame the picture!

Border s come in straight edge or scalloped edges where the cuttings follow the design of the pattern.    Using a small repeat on a border can break up the large expanse of a wall.  Many borders come in coordinated sets (see our Dual Borders search option on the What's Hot page).  These are great for combining the ceiling and chair rail heights together, or for adding around windows or doors for a coordinated look.

• Wall prep or sizing: This will help your border stick to the wall better.  It's a white liquid that's applied to the walls before your install wallcoverings.  A small paint roller works well for this.   When applying for borders, mark the walls where you will be installing the border and apply sizing within 1/2 inch of where the outside edge of the border.
• Adhesive: Most borders are prepasted and are installed by wetting the border to activate the paste and then installing.  Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper 'booking' time  (paste activation).   If you are installing a border over wallpaper, it is best to purchase a vinyl over vinyl paste instead of the prepasted method as it will adhere better. The premixed version is easy to work with using a brush or roller. (don't soak the paper with this method)
• Ruler, level and chalk: To measure the amount of border as well as marking the wall where the border will be installed, you'll want a yard stick or other rule, chalk to mark it and a level to make sure it's straight.  Don't rely on visual clues for horizontal placements.
• Scissors, trimming knife, and a metal straight edge (putty knife).  The scissors will be needed for cutting the borders to length, the trimming knife is needed for mitered corners and edges.
• Sponge and pail.  You'll need the sponge to smooth out the border and wipe any excess paste.  Have a pail with clean water available to keep your sponge clean.   Change water frequently.
• Work Table: You'll need an area to measure, cut and paste.

• Measure the wall and cut the border allowing 2 inches extra.  This is required to allow for a 1 inch overlap at each corner.  Measure twice/ cut once!  
• Apply  the paste or wet to activate the paste and 'book' the border.   'Booking' means gently folding the border like an accordian, paste to paste.   Do not crease the border.  Let the booked border sit for a few minutes to allow the paper to relax and the paste to activate. 
• Start hanging the strip allowing about 1/2 inch on the ajoining wall.  Take a damp sponge and begin smoothing out any air bubbles or lumps as you go along.   Having a helper to hold the border as you apply it to the wall makes the job go faster.
• To cover  the corners, run your next strip directly into the corner overlapping the prior strip by 1 to 2 inches.  Use a vinyl to vinly ahdesive or quality white glue.  Outside corners can be wrapped.
• Planning ahead can help minimize seams, but if you find that it can't be avoided, the best method is to overlap both ends about 2 inches, carefully matching the pattern.   Using a sharp razor blade, cut through both pieces of the overlapped border and peal away the extra material.  A seam roller can also help smooth the seam.