How much wallpaper do I need? is your question then here is the answer. One of the most important steps in starting a wallpapering project is determining exactly how much wallpaper you need.

Ordering too much can lead to wastage, while underestimating means halting your progress to order more.In this comprehensive guide, I’ll help you calculate the exact amount of wallpaper required for your room, ensuring you get it right the first time.

Understanding the Basics of Wallpaper Calculation

Several factors affect how much wallpaper is needed for a room. It’s important to consider these elements before you start measuring.

What Factors Affect How Much Wallpaper I Need?

The following factors play a critical role in determining how much wallpaper is necessary:

• Room Dimensions: The height and width of the walls are the primary factors in calculating the total surface area that needs to be covered.
• Doors and Windows: You’ll need to account for the area of doors, windows, or other openings when calculating the total area. Subtract their dimensions, but remember to buy a little extra wallpaper to ensure a seamless match.
• Wallpaper Pattern Repeat: If your wallpaper has a pattern, you’ll need to account for the pattern repeat, which may require additional wallpaper to ensure that the design lines up properly.

How to Measure My Room for Wallpaper?

Accurately measuring your room is essential for determining the correct amount of wallpaper.

Step-by-Step Guide on How Much Wallpaper Do I Need

Here’s how I typically measure a room to ensure I get the right amount of wallpaper:

1. Gather Your Tools:

• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Pen and paper
• Ladder (if necessary for high walls)

2. Measure the Height of Each Wall:

• Begin by measuring from floor to ceiling for each wall in the room. Write down the height of every wall.

3. Measure the Width of Each Wall:

• Measure the width of each wall. Multiply the height and width to calculate the total area (in square metres) for each wall.
• Example: A wall that is 2.5 metres high and 4 metres wide would be 2.5 x 4 = 10 square metres.

4. Repeat for All Walls:

• Continue measuring all the walls that you plan to wallpaper. Sum the total square metreage of all walls together.

5. Account for Windows, Doors, and Openings:

• Subtract the areas for windows, doors, or any other openings. Measure their height and width, multiply, and subtract from the total wall area.
• Example: If a window is 1.5 metres tall and 1 metre wide, subtract 1.5 x 1 = 1.5 square metres.

6. Double-Check Your Measurements:

• Always double-check your numbers to ensure accuracy, especially if you have a room with irregular shapes or sloped ceilings.

What About Doors, Windows, and Openings?

When wallpapering, subtracting the area of doors and windows is important to avoid buying excess wallpaper. However, there are some considerations:

• Keep Extra for Pattern Matching: Even after subtracting openings, I recommend buying some extra wallpaper to ensure you can match patterns around doors and windows.
• Measuring Openings: Measure the height and width of doors and windows accurately and subtract them from the total.

Should I Measure Around Furniture or Obstacles?

When measuring walls, I suggest ignoring built-in furniture, radiators, or alcoves that won’t be papered.

However, if you plan to move these items in the future or simply want more flexibility, measure the entire wall and adjust as needed later.

Measuring Walls with Sloped Ceilings or Irregular Shapes

Sloped ceilings or unusual room shapes can make wallpapering more complicated. In these cases:

• Measure the tallest point and widest point of the wall.
• Treat the wall as a regular rectangle for calculation purposes and cut away any excess wallpaper when you hang it.

How Many Rolls Of Wallpaper Do I Need?

Once you’ve measured the walls, the next step is calculating how many wallpaper rolls you’ll need. This can be done either manually or with a wallpaper calculator.

Using the Wallpaper Calculator

A wallpaper calculator can do the heavy lifting for you by calculating the number of rolls based on your room’s dimensions. Most UK wallpaper rolls are standard sizes, but here’s a table to break it down:

Roll Size	Coverage (approx)	Typical Use
10 metres x 53 cm wide	5 square metres	Most standard wallpaper rolls in the UK

To manually calculate, follow these steps:

1. Add Up Total Wall Area: Use your measurements to get the total wall area in square metres.
2. Divide by Roll Coverage: Divide the total wall area by the coverage of a single roll (typically 5 square metres).
   • Example: If your total wall area is 25 square metres, and one roll covers 5 square metres, you’ll need 25 ÷ 5 = 5 rolls.

Manual Calculation Formula for Wallpaper Rolls

If you’re calculating manually, use this formula:

• Total wall area (in sq.m) ÷ Roll coverage = Number of rolls needed

For example:

• Total wall area = 40 square metres
• Standard roll covers = 5 square metres
• 40 ÷ 5 = 8 rolls

Does the Type of Wallpaper Affect the Number of Rolls?

Different types of wallpaper may require more or fewer rolls based on their thickness, material, or pattern. For example:

• Textured or thick wallpapers: May offer less coverage per roll due to their weight and thickness.
• Patterned wallpaper: May require additional rolls to ensure proper alignment and matching of the design.

How to Factor in Wastage or Errors in Calculation?

It’s always better to err on the side of caution by purchasing an extra roll or two to account for:

• Wastage at the time of the cutting & installation process.
• Pattern matching, which often uses up more wallpaper than anticipated.
• Future repairs: Having leftover wallpaper allows you to make touch-ups or replacements down the road without worrying about a mismatch.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid When Measuring for Wallpaper?

Here are a few mistakes I often see people make when measuring for wallpaper:

• Forgetting to account for pattern repeats: If your wallpaper has a large repeat, failing to consider this can lead to misaligned patterns.
• Incorrectly subtracting door and window areas: Make sure to subtract their area accurately, but remember to order slightly more wallpaper to cover potential mistakes.
• Not buying enough extra rolls: Always get an additional roll or two, especially if you’re using patterned wallpaper. It’s better to have too much than to run out mid-project.

How Many Extra Rolls of Wallpaper Should I Buy?

I recommend buying 1–2 extra rolls. Here’s why:

• Pattern matching: Especially for larger repeats, you’ll use more wallpaper than expected.
• Future repairs: If there’s damage to the wallpaper down the line, having the same batch of wallpaper stored away makes it easier to fix without colour variation.
• Margin for error: Misalignments and mistakes can happen, so it’s better to be prepared.

Tools and Tips for Accurate Wallpaper Measurement

What Tools Do I Need for Measuring Wallpaper?

Make sure to have the following tools handy for accurate wallpaper measurement:

• Tape measure: For measuring wall height and width.
• Ladder: Useful for measuring higher areas, especially in rooms with tall ceilings.
• Calculator: To quickly do the essential calculations.
• Pencil and paper: For jotting down your measurements.

Pro Tips for Getting the Most Accurate Measurements

• Measure twice to ensure you don’t make errors.
• Round up measurements slightly to allow for any mistakes.
• Always measure in metres and centimetres, as most wallpaper calculators use metric units.

How to Handle Patterned or Textured Wallpaper?

If you’re using wallpaper with a large pattern repeat or texture, be prepared to order more rolls. Here’s why:

• Pattern Repeat: This refers to the distance between the start of a pattern and when it repeats. Larger repeats mean more wallpaper is needed to ensure the pattern aligns correctly across your walls.
• Textured Wallpapers: They often come in heavier materials, requiring additional rolls to cover the same area compared to standard wallpaper.

Can I Estimate Wallpaper for a Feature Wall?

If you’re wallpapering just a feature wall, the process is much simpler:

1. Measure only the feature wall: Measure the height and width of the feature wall and multiply to get the area.
2. Use standard roll coverage: Divide the total wall area by the coverage of a single roll to find how many rolls are needed.
3. Buy extra for matching: Even for feature walls, buy a little extra, especially if you’re working with patterns.

Conclusion

Calculating how much wallpaper you need doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With accurate measurements, consideration of pattern repeats, and proper planning for extra rolls, you’ll have the right amount of wallpaper for your project.

Always buy a little more than necessary to account for potential mistakes or future touch-ups, ensuring a smooth and successful wallpapering experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wallpaper Calculation

1. Can I Use a Wallpaper Calculator to Help Me?

Yes, wallpaper calculators are available online, and they simplify the process. All you need to do is input the dimensions of your walls, and it will calculate the number of rolls you need based on standard wallpaper sizes.

2. What If My Walls Aren’t Straight or Even?

For uneven or crooked walls, measure the longest and tallest parts, and treat them as if they’re regular rectangles. During the wallpapering process, you can cut away excess wallpaper to fit your unique walls.

3. Should I Account for Waste When Ordering Wallpaper?

Yes, always account for about 10-15% extra to cover wastage due to cutting mistakes, misalignment, or trimming.

4. How Do I Store Leftover Wallpaper?

Store any extra wallpaper in a cool, dry area away from sunlight to avoid fading. Ensure that the rolls are kept upright and tightly sealed to prevent damage.