How to Measure for Wallpaper
Measuring is the part everyone worries about — but it only takes five minutes and a tape measure. Get this right and the rest of the job is easy.
What you'll need
- A tape measure (metal is best — fabric ones stretch)
- A notepad and pen
- A second pair of hands for tall walls (optional but helpful)
Step 1 — Measure the width
Measure the full width of the wall you want to cover, from corner to corner, in centimetres. Write it down.
If you're covering more than one wall, measure each wall separately and add them together.
Step 2 — Measure the height
Measure from the skirting board to the ceiling. Take this measurement in a couple of spots along the wall — older homes are rarely perfectly even, and you want the tallest figure.
Step 3 — Don't subtract for doors and windows
This surprises people. We do not take off space for windows and doors. You'll trim around them as you hang, and you always want extra paper for matching the pattern and fixing mistakes. Measuring the full wall keeps you safe.
Step 4 — Note your pattern repeat
If your wallpaper has a pattern that repeats (most do), each new drop has to line up with the last one. That uses a little extra paper. Every product page on our site lists the pattern repeat — jot it down, you'll need it for the roll calculation.
What to do with your numbers
Take your total width and your wall height to our guide How Many Rolls Do I Need? — it walks you through turning those measurements into the right number of rolls.
A few honest tips
- Always measure twice. It costs nothing and saves a lot.
- Buy all your rolls at once. Rolls are made in batches, and colours can shift slightly between batches. Buying together means they all match.
- When in doubt, round up. One extra roll is far cheaper than running short halfway up the wall and waiting on a reorder.
Not sure your measurements are right? Email them to us at mary@wallpapertrader.com and we'll check them for you before you order.