Choosing the right amount of wallpaper is one of the most important steps before starting a renovation project.
Whether you're renovating your bedroom, creating a special feature wall, or redesigning your living room, knowing how much area a roll of wallpaper can cover can help you avoid under-purchasing or unnecessary waste.
Quick Answer
Depending on the size selected, a roll of wallpaper can cover an area of approximately 14.5 to 48.3 square feet (1.35 square meters to 4.48 square meters) .
Our wallpapers are available in the following sizes:
| Wallpaper size | Coverage area | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| 17.7" × 118" | 14.5 sq ft | Small DIY projects, furniture renovation |
| 17.7" × 236" | 29.0 sq ft | Feature wall, partial decorative wall |
| 17.7" × 393" | 48.3 sq ft | Bedroom, living room and larger wall surfaces |
| 17.7" × 17.7" Sample | 2.17 sq ft | Color and material testing |
For most wallpaper projects, we recommend reserving an extra 10%-15% of material to account for losses during cutting, splicing, and installation.
Wallpaper coverage area reference
When planning a project, you can refer to the following example:
| Project Type | Wall area | Recommended specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Small background wall | Approximately 32 sq ft | 1 volume, 17.7" × 393" |
| Medium-sized feature wall | Approximately 48 sq ft | 1-2 rolls, 17.7" × 393" (depending on wall height and pattern) |
| Bedroom background wall | Approximately 80 sq ft | 2 volumes, 17.7" × 393" |
| Living room TV wall | Approximately 120 sq ft | 3 volumes, 17.7" × 393" |
Note: Actual quantity required will be affected by wall height, pattern repeat, and installation method. If your wall is high, or if you have chosen a large pattern that requires matching, it is recommended to increase the quantity purchased accordingly.
How to measure wall dimensions
Measuring a wall is actually very simple.
first step
Measure the width of the wall.
Step 2
Measure the height from the ground to the ceiling.
Step 3
Calculate the wall area using the following formula:
Wall area = Width × Height
For example:10 ft × 8 ft = 80 sq ft
So your wall area is 80 square feet .
Why do we need to buy wallpaper separately?
Many homeowners only calculate the wall area, but ignore the material waste generated during the installation process.
Professional installers usually recommend purchasing additional wallpaper, mainly for the following reasons:
Pattern Matching
Wallpaper patterns often need to maintain continuity and alignment between different wallpapers.
This situation is especially common in:
- Floral wallpaper
- Botanical Wallpaper
- European-style patterned wallpaper (Damask Wallpaper)
- Geometric wallpaper
Trimming
During installation, the top and bottom edges usually need to be trimmed for a neater finish.
Future Repairs
Keeping spare wallpaper from the same batch makes it easier to repair scratches, stains, or localized damage in the future.
Recommended loss allowance ratio
| Wallpaper pattern types | It is recommended to add materials. |
|---|---|
| Solid color wallpaper | 10% |
| Small Pattern Wallpaper | 10%-15% |
| Medium pattern wallpaper | 15% |
| Large pattern wallpaper | 15%-25% |
Wallpaper usage calculation formula
You can use the following simple formula to estimate the amount of wallpaper you need.
first step
Calculate the wall area:Wall width × Wall height
Step 2
Increase loss allowance:Wall area × 1.15
Step 3
Calculate the required number of volumes:Required area ÷ Coverage area per roll
When purchasing, it is recommended to round up to the nearest whole number.
Example 1: Small background wall
Wall dimensions:6 ft × 8 ft
Wall area:48 sq ft
After increasing losses by 15%:55.2 sq ft
Recommended purchase:✔ 2 volumes, 17.7" × 393"
Example 2: Bedroom feature wall
Wall dimensions:10 ft × 8 ft
Wall area:80 sq ft
After increasing losses by 15%:92 sq ft
Recommended purchase:✔ 2 volumes, 17.7" × 393"、✔ 1 roll, 17.7" × 236"
Example 3: Living room TV background wall
Wall dimensions:15 ft × 8 ft
Wall area:120 sq ft
After increasing losses by 15%:138 sq ft
Recommended purchase:✔ 3 volumes, 17.7" × 393"
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to deduct the area of doors and windows?
In most cases, this is not necessary.
The cutting and pattern splicing losses during installation usually offset the area saved by doors and windows.
What is a pattern repeat?
Pattern repetition refers to the distance between the beginning and the end of a wallpaper pattern.
The more repeated the pattern, the more material usually needs to be reserved during installation.
Should we buy more wallpaper?
It is recommended to reserve space.
Additional wallpaper not only reduces installation risks and facilitates future maintenance, but also ensures color and batch consistency.
Summarize
Knowing the area the wallpaper will cover can help you plan your project more accurately and avoid delays in installation due to insufficient materials.
Our wallpapers are available in a variety of sizes to meet different needs, from small DIY projects to large feature wall decorations.
If you are unsure how much wallpaper you should buy, simply measure your wall dimensions and contact us, and we will help you calculate the optimal quantity.
