How much wallpaper do I need?

Figuring out how much wallpaper do I need is like piecing together a puzzle for most people: Too much wallpaper results in waste, while too little interrupts your decorating project midway. In this article, we'll guide you through conventional and simplified methods of calculating your wallpaper needs. Thereafter, we will also discuss how to measure your walls accurately and the common mistakes to avoid during this process.

Simplified wallpaper calculation: How to determine your wallpaper needs with Photowall

While conventional wallpaper estimation can be complex, Photowall made it incredibly simple. Now, all you need are the measurements of your wall. Photowall handles the rest, using your dimensions to custom-make your wallpaper to fit the exact length of your wall. So, if you're seeking a more straightforward method to determine your wallpaper needs, follow these steps:

1. Select a design: Many wallpaper designs are available in Photowall.

2. Enter wallpaper dimensions: Measure your walls and input the dimensions in the system. You will learn more about measuring walls later.

3. Crop your motif: Click and drag the motif to the part you want to keep. 

In as easy as 1-2-3, you can now determine the amount of wallpaper required for your office or home interior. Upon completion, Photowall supplies the appropriate number of sequentially labeled strips, facilitating a smooth hanging process. As a result, the daunting question, 'How much wallpaper do I need?' is now straightforward to answer— all you need to know is how to measure your walls.

 

How to measure your walls for wallpaper

Having a precise understanding of your wall dimensions is vital to determine how much wallpaper you'll need and prevent wastage. This section offers a comprehensive guide to measuring your walls for wallpaper, addressing various scenarios that you might encounter in your home or office interior. We'll walk you through how to measure:

 

• Standard walls

• Walls with angles

• Walls with openings

• Multiple walls

• Walls in a staircase

 

1. Standard Walls

Start by measuring your walls at their most extended horizontal point for width and the highest point for height. Remember that walls are not always perfectly straight. To account for this, you should include a mounting margin: we suggest adding an extra 6-10 cm.

 

2. Walls with angles

For walls that have angles, measure the width and height at the widest and highest points, respectively, and add an extra 6-10 cm for a mounting margin. Wallpaper comes in a rectangular shape, and installation on angled walls may require trimming some parts of the wallpaper to fit properly. If you're using a service like Photowall, their customer service can assist you in visualizing which parts will be trimmed.

 

3. Walls with openings

For walls with openings like doors or windows, measure the total width and height of the wall, including the doorway or window. As with other wall types, add a 6-10 cm mounting margin. After ordering your wallpaper, you'll likely need to trim away the wallpaper that covers the opening during installation. If you need help visualizing the parts of the design that will be removed, Photowall's measuring tool or customer service can offer valuable assistance. 

 

4. Multiple walls

When dealing with multiple walls, measure each individual wall's width and height carefully, and record these measurements for future reference. Then, calculate the total combined width by adding all width measurements together. When ordering wallpaper for multiple walls in a room, add a 10-15 cm mounting margin to the total height and width. This approach helps ensure a seamless look across all walls. For such a large project, it could be beneficial to contact a customer service team, like the one at Photowall, for advice on image resolution.

 

5. Walls in a staircase

Measure the staircase wall from its highest to lowest point for height and width. Just like with angled walls, you'll need to trim the excess wallpaper along the slope during installation. Tools like the measuring tool offered by Photowall can be handy, or their customer service can guide you on the areas of the design that will be affected by the slope. Don't forget to add a 6-10 cm mounting margin to your measurements for a seamless fit.

 

Conventional wallpaper calculation: How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?

The central question in conventional wallpaper calculation is, "How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?" This is because wallpapers are conventionally sold in rolls, and accurately estimating the number you require is essential to prevent resource wastage or project interruptions. Though the process may seem intricate and time-consuming, a careful and systematic approach will help you through this task. Here are the key steps you can follow when opting for the conventional method:

1. Wallpaper roll dimensions: Understanding the dimensions of the wallpaper roll is crucial. This includes the width and length of the roll, as well as the pattern repeat length, all of which can vary widely depending on the manufacturer.

2. Measure your walls: Start by measuring the total width and height of your walls in centimeters. We will talk more about measuring your walls later.

3. Calculate the number of wallpaper strips needed: Divide the total wall width by the width of the wallpaper roll to estimate the number of wallpaper strips you'll need.

4. Account for the pattern repeat: Add the pattern repeat length to your wall height to determine an 'adjusted' height. This step ensures proper pattern alignment and accounts for any trimming that may be necessary.

5. Determine usable strips per roll: Next, calculate the number of usable strips per roll of wallpaper by dividing the total length of the wallpaper roll by the adjusted height.

6. Calculate the number of rolls to order: Divide the total number of strips needed by the number of usable strips per roll. It's essential to round up this number to prevent running short of wallpaper during your project.

7. Add extra rolls for buffer: As a rule of thumb, always add an extra roll or two to your order as a safety margin. This will cater to any miscalculations, installation errors, or unexpected issues.

Remember, this process can be intricate and time-consuming, so double-check your measurements and calculations for accuracy. 

 

Mistakes to avoid when determining your wallpaper needs

Avoid these pitfalls that can occur when calculating or ordering wallpaper. They are the common mistakes that homeowners, decorators, or DIY enthusiasts make:

● Miscalculating the total wall area: One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to account for windows, doors, slopes, and other architectural features. This oversight can disrupt the continuity of the wall and lead to an overestimation of the wallpaper required.

● Failing to add a mounting margin: Walls are not always perfectly straight or flat, and it's important to account for these irregularities when measuring. Failing to add this extra margin can lead to shortages during installation, disrupting the process and potentially causing inconsistent pattern alignment.

● Not ordering sufficient quantity in one go: It's always best to order all the wallpaper you need in a batch. This approach not only ensures that you have enough material to complete your project but also allows for a seamless decorating process. It eliminates the need for multiple orders and potential wait times, thus keeping your project on schedule.

● Hesitating to reach out to customer service: When in doubt, don't hesitate to reach out to Photowall's customer service. They can help ensure that the image's resolution is sufficient for large walls, and they can assist you in visualizing which parts of the design will be trimmed for windows, doors, or angled spaces.

In conclusion, determining the amount of wallpaper needed for your office or home interior doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can calculate your wallpaper needs accurately and avoid common mistakes. It's an efficient and cost-effective approach to dress your rooms with wallpaper, minimizing wastage and simplifying tricky calculations.