I’m a professional decorator and have just been commissioned to install a fabric-backed wide-width vinyl wall covering priced at £400 a roll, and another at £536 per roll. I was a bit dubious, to be honest, but then I received a notification that I had won a Dulux Advanced Wallpapering Course (the twitchy-bum sensation began to ease).
I had been thinking of taking a few Dulux courses over the past year to sharpen up some skills — especially in an environment where I’m not being scrutinised or pressured, and where errors do not cost time, money, or reputation.
I thought I’d take you through my experience and give you my Dulux Academy Wallpapering Course review.
Dulux Academy Wallpapering Course – Day 1
Parking allocated ✅
Entered reception – very polite greeting ✅
Met fellow decorator Jason, and we shared details of our areas and projects we have worked on. The networking started immediately, with Jason kindly offering me a project.
Tony Pearson-Young came to meet us and took us to the Dulux bespoke training facility. We were welcomed with a bacon butty or sausage sandwich, with tea or coffee flowing from the instant hot tap (I would have liked a vegetarian option, but thought I’d man up). There was a fruit bowl too!
The Dulux Academy facility surpassed my expectations. Shortly after, the other decorators arrived, and we all introduced ourselves.
Up to the classroom: Tony went over the theory and practicalities of the various wallpaper types, tools, and things to look out for, sharing a wealth of experience.
Then down to the training area – we were given practical tutorials and interactive demonstrations of pasting machines and papering techniques. “Right, choose a door,” Tony beamed with a smile.
We all had the choice to work in our own rooms or pair up with our new companions. All the tools required were provided – right down to the vitally important new sharp blades.
We had a hot lunch prepared with refreshments, followed by cake!
Our first task was to measure up and cross-line a wall, then wallpaper a ceiling.
Dulux Academy Wallpapering Course – Day 2
Breakfast
We started with a relaxed group discussion about the dos and don’ts of wallpapering, then went back to complete our activities from the previous day.
Our next task on the course was to wallpaper a window reveal with offset, pattern-matched wallpaper, and to practise handling and hanging sensitive metallics or hand-printed wall coverings.
We also covered wallpapering around room features and profiles, staircases, and archways.
There was far more involved in this course than I can mention. It was delivered at a pace that made it easy to absorb, by a training professional who presented it effortlessly and beyond my expectations, in a facility that was kept organised and pristine.
I would most certainly revisit and take other courses — and I’d highly recommend them.
Again, I would like to thank Decorators Forum UK for their efforts in bringing the industry together, Tony Pearson-Young for all the tips and tricks that boosted my confidence, and the Dulux Academy and their partners for their support and investment in the facilities, making the upskilling of our trade far more accessible and affordable.
Review Summary
Dulux Academy Wallpapering Course Review - Advanced
A course open to both professional decorators and DIYers designed to develop knowledge and skills needed for wallpapering.
Product Brand: Dulux Academy
4.8
Pros
- Allocated parking on arrival
- Polite greeting at reception
- Networking opportunities with fellow decorators
- Friendly trainer (Tony Pearson-Young) with lots of experience
- Bespoke Dulux training facility that exceeded expectations
- Breakfast provided (bacon/sausage sandwiches, tea/coffee, fruit)
- Clear classroom theory covering wallpaper types, tools, and techniques
- Practical tutorials and interactive demonstrations
- Option to work solo or pair up
- All tools provided, including sharp blades
- Hot lunch with refreshments and cake
- Hands-on tasks (cross-lining, wallpapering ceilings, window reveals, metallics, staircases, archways, etc.)
- Relaxed pace, easy to absorb
- Training delivered professionally and confidently
- Organised and pristine facility
- Boosted confidence with tips and tricks
- Affordable and accessible upskilling opportunities
- Strong recommendation and willingness to re-visit
Cons
- No vegetarian option at breakfast
- Only limited venues, so you may need to travel
What Other Decorators Think
Another awesome two days of training with Tony from the Dulux Academy. Slightly less of a drive today, with it only being 25 minutes from home at Taunton College. It’s great to see the Academy branching out and popping up at different locations. Anyway, I thought I’d take the time to sit down and write a quick Dulux Academy Wallpapering Course review. I hope you find it useful.
Another certificate — but more importantly, the confidence you gain from learning how to achieve the perfect finish with wallpaper.
Being professional decorators, we weren’t far off. we already understood the principals and had some really good results from paper hanging, but now we are confident it’s the correct process. We have tweaked our techniques to improve our practice and more importantly, where to avoid short falls and mistakes.
This course is open to the general public as well as decorators, so it’s a great opportunity for people to learn a few practical DIY skills.
The Dulux Academy is always very inviting. There is a room to sit and learn the theoretical parts of wallpapering (we didn’t spend too much time in there). Then there are booths for demonstrations and practice.
Tony Pearson-Young was our instructor. He showed us what to do and talked us through the whole process including paste and all the tools required. We then got loads of time to practice wallpapering under his supervision. If we got stuck, we asked for his help. Other than that, he watched, encouraged, and helped us to improve where he could.
It was good fun too — and rest assured, even though it wasn’t at the Dulux Academy HQ, the all-important question…
We still got cake 😁🧁🍰 One thing the Dulux Academy is famous for is its hospitality. We had cake, sandwiches, and as many brews as we could handle throughout the day.
First Attempt at Wallpapering
This was my first attempt at wallpapering since finishing the 2-day course at the Dulux Academy in Slough. It was a nice little confidence builder, although I was still cacking it, lol.
I wasn’t too sure where to start the paper at the ceiling line, as I couldn’t see an obvious one, so constructive criticism is welcome in the name of learning and improving.
I know professional decorators need to know how to paper, but my boss never taught me. Every other aspect of my job is fine.
I have a free course voucher, so I’ll be booking onto the Digital Murals and Feature Wall course next.
The Dulux Academy offers all types of short courses for anyone, whether you’re a professional decorator or a DIYer. Each course is inexpensive and only takes a day or two to complete.
A lot of decorators I know rate the airless spray courses. One I like the look of is Urban Effects.
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