How To Work Out How Much Wallpaper You Need

Alright, buddy, let's dive into the wild world of wallpaper. You know, the stuff that's been around since the ancient Egyptians were papering their pyramids. Well, maybe not exactly like that, but you get the idea. It's been sticking around for ages, and it's not going anywhere soon. So, let's figure out how much of it you need for your walls. It's like a puzzle, but with less tiny pieces and more, well, wall.

First things first, measure up

Before you even think about rolling out that wallpaper, you've got to get your measuring tape out. It's like going shopping for jeans - you can't just grab the first pair you see and hope for the best. You've got to know your size. In this case, your wall's size.

So, grab that trusty tape measure and start at the top. Measure the height of your walls from floor to ceiling. Don't forget to account for any weird angles or slopes. After all, we're not talking about a perfect square here, we're talking about your walls. Now, do the same for the width. And don't forget to measure in a few places, just to be safe. Walls can be sneaky like that.

Now, let's do some math

Alright, so you've got your measurements. Now it's time to crunch some numbers. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. You're basically just going to multiply the height by the width of your walls. That'll give you the square footage you've got to cover.

But wait, there's more! You've also got to consider the pattern repeat. That's the distance between one pattern and the next on your wallpaper. It's like the beat of a song, and you've got to make sure your wallpaper is in sync with your walls. To find out the pattern repeat, just measure the width of the wallpaper and divide it by the number of patterns that fit across it. Then, multiply that by the height of your walls. That's the amount of wallpaper you'll need for just one drop. And yes, we're still talking about wallpaper, not dancing.

But what about waste?

You might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but I don't want to end up with a room full of leftover wallpaper." Well, don't worry, we've got you covered. It's always a good idea to add a little extra to your order. About 10-15% should do the trick. That way, you've got some wiggle room for mistakes, cuts, and those sneaky wall angles we talked about earlier.

How to measure for Wallpaper | Graham & Brown

Don't forget the edges

Now, you might be thinking, "I've got my square footage, I've got my pattern repeat, I've even added a bit extra for waste. I'm done, right?" Not so fast, buddy. You've still got to consider the edges. That's right, the bits of wallpaper that go around your doors, windows, and light switches.

For each of these, you'll need to measure the height and width, just like you did with your walls. Then, add about 2-3 inches to each measurement. That's to account for trimming and any overlap. Once you've got those measurements, multiply them together to get the square footage you need. Then, add them all up and divide by the width of your wallpaper. That'll give you the number of edges you can cover with one roll.

Let's talk rolls

Alright, so you've finally got all your measurements and calculations done. Now it's time to talk rolls. Most wallpaper comes in rolls that are about 20-27 inches wide and 33 feet long. But remember, that's not the amount you'll actually get to use. You've got to subtract the pattern repeat and the waste.

How much wallpaper do I need: learn how to calculate

So, let's say you've got a pattern repeat of 20 inches and you want to add 15% for waste. That means you'll only get to use about 17.4 feet of wallpaper from each roll. But don't worry, you can do the math. It's not as scary as it sounds. And hey, if you're feeling really fancy, you can even use an online calculator to do the heavy lifting for you.

And that's a wrap!

And there you have it, folks. You've just learned how to work out how much wallpaper you need. It's like learning a new language, but with less "please" and "thank you" and more "measure" and "calculate". But don't worry, you'll be a wallpaper whisperer in no time. Just remember, measure twice, cut once, and you'll be papering your walls like a pro.

So, go on, get out there and make your walls beautiful. And hey, if you've got any leftover wallpaper, you could always start on the ceiling. Or maybe the dog's bed. The possibilities are endless. Happy papering!