How to calculate wallpaper quantities

How to calculate wallpaper quantities

Pauline, Self-taught DIYer, Leeds

Guide written by:

Pauline, Self-taught DIYer, Leeds

Want to freshen up an old room or looking to decorate a brand new home? Decided to go for wallpaper but have no idea how many rolls of paper you'll need to cover the walls? Don't worry! We've put together a quick guide to help you buy just the right number of wallpaper rolls for your space.

Important features

  • Wallpaper dimensions
  • Room size
  • Calculations
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What information do I need to calculate wallpaper quantities?

Standard sizes for wallpaper

What information do I need to calculate wallpaper quantities?

It's important to note that wallpaper usually comes in two standard dimensions which can be used to calculate the correct quantities of wallpaper:

  • wallpaper width: 53 cm;

  • wallpaper length: 10.05 metres.

The height of the wallpaper pattern repeat is noted on the product packaging. This measurement is used to ensure the pattern of the wallpaper lines up perfectly between strips. Patterned wallpaper will always entail more waste than plain wallpaper.

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Patterned wallpaper

How to calculate the right number of wallpaper rolls

Now let's learn how to quickly calculate the correct number of wallpaper rolls required for your redecorating project. You will need to know the perimeter you want to cover, the measurements of all doorways and windows and the height of the walls.

We'll use the following example to demonstrate how to calculate wallpaper quantities:

  • The room measures 6 metres by 3 metres with a ceiling height of 2.4 metres.

Step 1: calculate the room perimeter

  • Add together the length and width of the room and multiply the result by two.

  • This gives us: (6 + 3) x 2 = 18 metres.

Step 2: calculate the number of wallpaper strips required

How to calculate the right number of wallpaper rolls
  • Take the perimeter of the room as worked out above and divide it by the width of the wallpaper (53 cm for standard wallpaper).

  • This gives us: 18 / 0.53 = 33.96 or 34 strips of wallpaper

Step 3: work out the correct strip length

How to calculate the right number of wallpaper rolls

The length of the strips must always correspond to the ceiling height plus an additional 10 cm to give you extra margin for making cuts. For a ceiling height of 2.4 m, add on 10 cm.

  • This gives us: 2.40 + 10 = 2.50 m

Please note: you may need a greater margin for wallpapers with pattern repeats.

Step 4: determine the number of strips you can get out of one roll

How to calculate the right number of wallpaper rolls

Using the measurements worked out above, you can now work out how many strips of wallpaper you can get out of a single roll of wallpaper. To do so, take the length of the roll and divide it by the height worked out in the last step.

  • For our example, this gives us: 10.05 / 2.50 = 4.02 strips

Step 5: calculate the number of rolls required to cover the room

Measuring the storage space

Divide the total number of strips by the number of strips provided by each roll of wallpaper.

  • For example: 34 / 4.02 = 8.46 meaning 9 rolls

Quick tip: don't forget to subtract surfaces such as doorways and windows when calculating.

In short, you just need five quick calculations to work out the correct number of wallpaper rolls to cover a room.

What tools do I need to hang wallpaper?

Wallpapering kits

What tools do I need to hang wallpaper?

Hanging wallpaper isn't a very difficult process but removing the air bubbles from the paper as you hang it does require some skill and the use of a decorating knife.

So, what do you need to wallpaper a room?

  • a wallpapering table to coat the wallpaper with adhesive;

  • a decorating knife;

  • wallpaper adhesive;

  • a bucket;

  • a wallpaper brush;

  • a utility knife;

  • a sponge;

  • dust sheets;

  • a seam roller;

  • a wallpapering kit;

  • a sink within reach or several large water containers.

So, there you have it – you now hold the key to calculating just the quantity of wallpaper every time! Are you ready to get wallpapering?

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Wallpapering tools
 
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Guide written by:

Pauline, Self-taught DIYer, Leeds

Pauline, Self-taught DIYer, Leeds

With a handyman-father, I grew up with the soft sound of the sander and hammer on weekends. I am both manual and cerebral, I learned the basics of DIY and the customisation of furniture because I was passionate. The salvage mentality is a true way of life that allowed me to know how to use all the tools and products needed to give something a second life, from a sander to varnish. I have two favourite activities: the transformation of old furniture and decoration tips. I am always ready to lend a helping hand to revamp a table or to restore a mirror that was intended for the tip that will become a friend’s centrepiece. I’m convinced that it’s possible to reinvent an interior by small, regular modifications and I constantly research low-cost ideas.

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