Here’s what to think about before you put paste to paper (or wall).

• When buying wallpaper, make sure all the rolls have the same batch number because there may be slight differences between batches. To allow for mistakes and wastage, buy extra rolls, especially if it’s a discontinued or discounted line, or a patterned wallpaper.
• You get more wastage with patterned wallpaper because of having to match up the pattern. It’s important to plan where you want the pattern to fall, especially if it’s a large one. The first length should be hung in the centre of a focal point, such as a chimney breast. Work outwards from this length, and the pattern should fall in an aesthetically pleasing way.
• One of the best ways to use wallpaper is to confine it to a feature wall – alcoves, chimney breasts, walls behind beds, etc, usually work well. If you’re papering more than one wall, make sure you choose a design which will not overpower the room, especially if the wallpaper is patterned and the room’s small.
• Paste-the-wall wallpapers are a good choice for novices because, as the name says, you paste the wall rather than the paper. This means you don’t have to wait for the paste to soak in and you don’t have to handle long lengths of soggy paper.
• Clear the room as much as possible before starting to wallpaper. This will make the job quicker because you’ll be able to get to the walls (and judge how the pattern’s falling, if you’re using a patterned wallpaper) more easily. If you can’t clear it, move the furniture away from the walls.

DIY news bulletin

If you’re already writing your Christmas present list, add the IXO Vino from Bosch – it’s just the thing for DIYers, or anyone who wants to make a splash at parties.

The IXO Vino is an electric screwdriver with a corkscrew attachment, so you can impress your party guests by opening bottles of wine with it.

There are three new limited-edition corkscrew designs to choose from, all by Russian designers Aleksandra and Dasha Gantseva.

The screwdriver and corkscrew come in a wooden presentation box, complete with a compact charger that doubles as a holder for the screwdriver bits.

The screwdriver is very small and lightweight, but it has everything you need, including a comfy rubberised handle, a work light, and forward and reverse and battery-level indicators, which are really useful.

The cleverly designed Bosch IXO Vino costs £59.99 and would make a great gift. Find out more at www.bosch-ixo.com

Nearly 50% of parents worry that their kids will grow up without learning basic practical skills, such as DIY, cooking and gardening, according to a survey by DIY chain B&Q.

To help with this, B&Q is rolling out its Kids Can Do It Classes in more than 50 of its stores nationwide.

The classes are designed for seven to 11-year-olds, who attend with a parent or guardian, so they can have a go together.

There are around 20 different classes to choose from, including making a toolbox, sledge, planter, toast rack, or mug tree, and they involve learning new skills, such as sawing, drilling, gluing and nailing, under the guidance of B&Q’s experts.

The classes were launched in 15 B&Q You Can Do It Centres earlier this year and have been the company’s most popular class booked to date. They cost £5 for a one-hour class. Find out more at www.diy.com/kidsclasses

Ask the expert…

Q: I need to do a small, neat repair with duct tape, but all the ones I’ve seen are several centimetres wide and it won’t look as neat as I’d like if I have to cut the tape lengthways. Can you get thinner duct tape?

A: You can. Try Gorilla Tape Handy one-inch roll, £2.79 (also available as wider tape), which has double-thick adhesive and a reinforced backing to make it really strong. You can even use it on rough surfaces, including wood, stone, plaster and brick – it works well on all kinds of repairs.

Seasonal task…

The clocks have gone back, which means it gets dark early, so check that all your home’s light bulbs are energy-saving ones, and replace any that aren’t. The Energy Saving Trust says that eco light bulbs last up to 10 times longer than conventional ones and can save you around £55 over the lifetime of the bulb.