Decorative borders and friezes are the perfect way of adding a touch of pattern to any decorating scheme, either just below ceiling level, or to break up large wall areas.

Friezes and borders are narrow strips of printed wallpaper carrying a pattern that is self contained and is intended to be hung to complement the main wall or ceiling decoration, whether this is paint or wallpaper.

Most are paper, but foamed polyethylene types are also available for use with vinyl and polyethylene wall coverings.

They're hung to marked horizontal and vertical lines; you paste the back of paper types and paste the wall with polyethylene ones. Some of the children's friezes have a self sticking backing. Just peel off the backing paper and place in position.

Various widths are available, and there's a wide range of designs to choose from in traditional, modern and children's patterns. Roll lengths vary, but many are a standard 10.05m (33ft) long the same as a roll of wallpaper.

Where joins have to be made in a straight run, the lengths are overlapped and pattern matched before being cut through with a sharp knife. Right angled joins, used when creating decorative border frames, are made by over laying the lengths and cutting across the join at an angle of 45°.