Peel-and-stick wallpaper can be a highly versatile DIY solution for many short-term design projects; however, applying the panels smoothly can prove a challenge.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper may seem easy — peeling off the backing and laying the paper in place — but air pockets and creases can often occur when trying to achieve a neat finish.

Although the material can easily be removed without causing much harm to the surface, reapplying the panels repeatedly can hinder the paper's adhesive quality.

Because air bubbles are a common drawback to self-adhesive wallpaper, you want to glide it onto your surface as gracefully as possible on the first try.

Depending on the surface, it needs to be non-textured, clean and sleek (if not previously painted and primed) or the peel-and-stick product may not stick to the surface correctly.

Applying the product is ideally a two-person job: One set of hands pulls down the wallpaper's backing, and the other person smooths out the wrinkles using a smoothing tool.

Your smoothing tool should be sturdy, non-abrasive, and ideally made of plastic. Good options include a dry eraser, an applicator, or a small squeegee.