How to Calculate the Number of Wallpaper Rolls Needed for One Wall

Choosing the right amount of wallpaper for your walls can be a daunting task, especially if you want to ensure that you have enough to cover the entire space while accounting for pattern matching and potential waste. This guide will walk you through the steps to determine exactly how many rolls of wallpaper you need for one wall.

Measuring the Wall

The first step is to measure the dimensions of the wall. You'll need to know the height and width of the wall you intend to cover. Here's a simple way to do it:

Measure the height of the wall in feet. Let's call this H. Measure the width of the wall in feet. Let's call this W. To calculate the area of the wall, use the formula:

Area H × W

Checking the Wallpaper Roll Coverage

Not all rolls of wallpaper are created equal in terms of coverage. Most rolls will cover around 30 to 56 square feet, but the exact coverage can vary. Here's how you can check the coverage of your specific wallpaper roll:

Find the label on your wallpaper roll to determine its coverage. Note that some companies might sell smaller sizes for cost-cutting reasons.

Calculating the Number of Rolls

Once you know the area of the wall and the coverage of the wallpaper rolls, you're ready to calculate how many rolls you need:

Divide the area of the wall by the coverage of one roll: Number of Rolls Area / Coverage per Roll Always round up to ensure you have enough wallpaper, especially to account for pattern matching and mistakes.

For example, let's say you have a wall that is 8 feet high and 12 feet wide:

Area 8 × 12 96 square feet

If each roll covers 30 square feet:

Number of Rolls 96 / 30 ≈ 3.2

You would need to buy 4 rolls.

Additional Tips

Don't forget to consider any doors or windows in your measurements. These will reduce the total area you need to cover. For a usual room in a metro city that measures 10 feet by 10 feet, it typically takes an average of 2 rolls of wallpaper (57 square feet each) to cover one wall. However, for an easier calculation, you can use the 'hand rule' which states that you will need 1 roll of wallpaper for every 5 feet of wall.

Factoring in the Pattern Repeat

When working with patterned wallpaper, you also need to factor in the pattern repeat. The pattern repeat refers to the distance the pattern repeats itself vertically or horizontally. Let's say the pattern repeat is 18 inches (1.5 feet):

Number of Rolls (Area / Coverage per Roll) (Pattern Repeat / Coverage per Roll)

This will give you a more precise estimate of the number of rolls needed.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you have the correct amount of wallpaper to perfectly cover your walls, making your wallcovering project a success.