How to Calculate Wallpaper Needed for a Room
How to Calculate Wallpaper Needed?
To calculate the amount of wallpaper needed, measure the length and height of the wall area to be covered.
Multiply these measurements to determine the square footage.
Divide the total square footage by 27, which is the square footage one roll of wallpaper covers.
This will give you the number of rolls required.
It is recommended not to subtract for doors and windows, as extra paper may be needed for pattern matching or future repairs.
However, it is important to consult a decorator or installer for a more accurate estimate.
Additionally, consider buying extra wallpaper to account for installation errors and ensure availability in case the desired wallpaper is out of stock.
Key Points:
- Measure the length and height of the wall area to be covered
- Multiply the measurements to determine the square footage
- Divide the total square footage by 27 to find the number of rolls required
- Do not subtract for doors and windows, as extra paper may be needed for pattern matching or repairs
- Consult a decorator or installer for a more accurate estimate
- Consider buying extra wallpaper for installation errors and to ensure availability if desired wallpaper is out of stock
Did You Know?
1. Wallpaper patterns are often designed to match up at a specific point, known as the repeat. The repeat refers to the distance between identical points in the pattern. Calculating the repeat is essential to determine how much wallpaper is needed, as it can impact the overall layout and waste.
2. When determining the amount of wallpaper needed, it’s crucial to account for waste during installation. To avoid running short, it is recommended to add an extra 10% to the total calculated area. This allows for pattern matching, trimming, and any unforeseen mishaps during the hanging process.
3. Not all wallpaper rolls have the same length. Standard wallpaper rolls usually measure around 10 meters (33 feet) in length, but there are also shorter rolls available. It is essential to check the length of the rolls you plan to purchase before calculating the required amount.
4. Different types of wallpaper require varied calculations. For standard wallpaper with a straight match (no pattern repeat), you can measure the width and height of each wall and multiply them to get the total area. However, for wallpaper with a specific pattern repeat, additional calculations are necessary to ensure pattern matching across walls.
5. In some cases, it is recommended to consult with a professional or a wallpaper retailer when calculating the amount of wallpaper needed. They can provide valuable advice based on the specific style, pattern, and complexity of your desired wallpaper. Their expertise can help ensure accurate calculations and a successful installation.
Understanding Wallpaper Measurements And Coverage
When calculating the amount of wallpaper needed for a room, it is important to consider the measurements and coverage of the wallpaper rolls. A single roll of wallpaper typically measures 27 inches wide by 5 yards long (68.58 cm x 4.57 meters). However, it’s worth noting that the usable square footage after waste and pattern matching is usually 27 square feet, even though the roll covers 30 square feet. This is because there is often some waste due to matching patterns and trimming edges.
To ensure consistency in color and pattern throughout the room, it is highly recommended to order the total amount of wallpaper needed in one order. This ensures that all the wallpaper comes from the same dye lot. It is always best to check with the seller or manufacturer about the available quantity of wallpaper and confirm whether it is from the same dye lot.
Calculating Square Footage For Wallpaper
Before calculating the number of rolls required, calculate the square footage of the wall area to be covered. This can be done by measuring the length of the wall area and multiplying it by the height of the walls. For accuracy, it’s advisable to measure the height in the same unit as the width and convert it if necessary.
Once you have the total square footage of the wall area, divide it by 27 to determine the number of rolls required. For example, if the calculated square footage is 360 square feet, you would need approximately 14 rolls (360 ÷ 27 = 13.3). It’s important to note that this formula serves as an approximate guide, and it is always recommended to consult a decorator or installer before making a final purchase.
In this calculation, do not subtract measurements for doors and windows. Having some extra wallpaper may be necessary for matching patterns or future repairs. It’s better to have a surplus than to run out of wallpaper before completing the project.
Determining The Number Of Rolls Required
When ordering wallpaper, rolls are typically the standard unit of measure. However, double or triple rolls may be printed and shipped whenever possible to minimize waste during installation. It’s essential to clarify with the seller or manufacturer the roll size that you will be receiving.
Professional installation is highly recommended for wallpaper projects, as it can be challenging to measure accurately and apply with precision. If you are unfamiliar with wallpaper installation or prefer to leave it to the experts, consider contacting the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers to find a certified paperhanger in your area.
Tips For Accurate Measurement And Installation
Measuring accurately is crucial in ensuring you have enough wallpaper for your project. To measure the surface area to cover, measure the height and width of the wall. Depending on your preferred unit of measurement, divide the measurements accordingly. If measuring in feet, divide by 2. If measuring in inches, divide by 24. If measuring in centimeters, divide by 60.
It’s essential to account for obstacles such as doors, windows, and sloped surfaces during the measurement process. When calculating the number of panels needed for a wall, focus on the width of each wall and cut away portions where doors, windows, and other obstacles appear.
During installation, it may be necessary to cut and remove extra portions of wallpaper to ensure a seamless result. Therefore, it’s crucial to measure twice and cut once to avoid unnecessary mistakes and waste. Remember, it’s always better to have a little extra wallpaper than to run out halfway through the project.
- Measure the height and width of the wall.
- Divide the measurements according to your preferred unit of measurement:
- Feet: divide by 2.
- Inches: divide by 24.
- Centimeters: divide by 60.
- Account for obstacles such as doors, windows, and sloped surfaces.
- Focus on the width of each wall when calculating the number of panels needed.
- Cut away portions where obstacles appear.
- Measure twice and cut once to avoid mistakes and waste.
- Have a little extra wallpaper to avoid running out halfway through the project.
Considering The Pattern Repeat And Panel Size
When choosing wallpaper with a pattern, it is crucial to take into account the pattern repeat and panel size. Different wallpaper patterns have varying repeats, meaning the pattern is repeated at specific intervals. Walls By Me, for instance, provides wallpaper patterns that repeat every 2 feet or 24 inches. Considering the pattern repeat is essential to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing outcome when overlapping strips of wallpaper.
Moreover, Walls By Me offers fixed dimensional panels for their peel and stick wallpaper. These panels are 2 feet wide and come in lengths of 4 feet, 8.5 feet, or 10.5 feet. Understanding the available panel sizes can be beneficial when determining the number of panels needed for your project.
- Take into account the pattern repeat of the wallpaper
- Consider the panel size when calculating the required number of panels
“Choosing the right wallpaper involves considering both the pattern repeat and panel size to achieve a flawless result.”
Buying Extra And Accounting For Design Variations
To account for installation errors, it’s advisable to purchase extra wallpaper. This allows for replacements in case of mistakes or damages during the application process. It also ensures that you have enough wallpaper in case the design you choose becomes discontinued or out of stock in the future.
Additionally, it’s important to note that different production batches of the same wallpaper design may have minor tonal variations. Keep this in mind when ordering additional rolls or making adjustments to your initial calculation. If color consistency is crucial, consider ordering all the wallpaper needed for the project at once to ensure it comes from the same dye lot.
Calculating the amount of wallpaper needed for a room requires a thorough understanding of the measurements, coverage, and panel sizes. Take accurate measurements of the wall area, consider pattern repeats, and consult with professionals if needed. Remember to order extra wallpaper and account for design variations to guarantee a successful and visually appealing wallpaper installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much wallpaper do I need for 10×10 room?
To determine the amount of wallpaper needed for a 10×10 room, we can calculate the total square footage of the wall space. Since all four walls need to be considered when determining the amount of wallpaper required, the total square footage of the walls would amount to 400 square feet (4 walls multiplied by 10 feet each side). To find the number of rolls needed, we divide this square footage by 27, which gives us approximately 14.81 rolls of wallpaper required. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase 15 rolls of wallpaper to ensure there is enough to cover all the walls of the 10×10 room.
How do I calculate how much wallpaper I need to repeat?
To calculate the amount of wallpaper needed for a repeating pattern, first determine the number of strips required for each wall. Sum up these quantities to obtain the total number of strips needed to cover the entire room. Then, multiply the length of each strip by the number of strips required. This calculation will yield the total amount of wallpaper needed in feet. By following this process, you can ensure that you have accurate measurements to complete your wallpaper project efficiently.
How many panels of wallpaper do I need?
To determine the number of panels of wallpaper you need, measure the width of each wall and divide it by 2 feet. This simple calculation will give you the required number of panels for each wall. By ensuring you have the right number of panels, you can efficiently cover your walls with wallpaper, creating a seamless and visually appealing finish for your space.
What size is a 12×12 room wall?
A 12×12 room wall is typically 144 square feet in size. It offers a spacious area for creativity and decoration, providing ample space for artwork, shelving, or other design elements. This size allows for flexibility in arranging furniture and placing decorative pieces, giving the room a comfortable and visually appealing atmosphere. Whether it is used as a bedroom, living room, or study, a 12×12 room wall provides enough square footage to create a personalized and inviting space.