Measure your walls and work out exactly how many wallpaper rolls to buy, with spare for mistakes and pattern matching.
WP-01Measure the height of each wallMeasure from skirting board to ceiling at a few points on each wall, in case the floor or ceiling isn't level. Use the tallest measurement you get. Round up to the nearest 100mm.
WP-02Measure the width all the way round the roomMeasure along each wall at skirting height and add the totals together. Include the width of doors and windows for now — you'll deduct for them later. Write each wall's measurement down as you go so you don't lose track.
1 each · Notepad and pencil WP-03Check the roll size and pattern repeatA standard UK roll is 10.05m long and 530mm wide. Check the label — some rolls are wider or shorter. If the paper has a pattern, the label will also show the 'pattern repeat' in mm; you need this to work out wastage.
WP-04Work out how many drops you get per rollDivide the roll length (10050mm) by your wall height to get the number of drops per roll. If there's a pattern repeat, add the repeat length to your wall height first, then divide — this accounts for the extra cut off each drop to match the pattern.
WP-05Work out how many drops you needDivide your total room width by the roll width (530mm) to get the number of drops needed to go round the room. Round up to the nearest whole number — you always round up, never down.
WP-06Deduct for large doors and windowsFor a large window or door, you can knock off one drop from your total, since you won't paper over it. Don't deduct anything for small windows — the offcuts from other drops usually cover them.
WP-07Calculate the number of rollsDivide the total number of drops needed by the number of drops per roll (from step WP-04). Round up to the nearest whole roll.
WP-08Add spare rolls and check the batch numberBuy at least one extra roll for mistakes, awkward corners, or future repairs — two extra if the pattern repeat is large. Check every roll has the same batch number printed on the label; different batches can have slightly different shades.
WP-09Keep your workings for laterWrite down your final measurements, roll size, and batch number somewhere safe. If you need to buy more later, matching the batch will stop mismatched shades on the wall.
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