You've found the perfect mural wallpaper to transform your living space, but before you click 'order', there's one crucial step that can make or break your installation: getting accurate measurements. A miscalculation could mean visible gaps, awkward pattern breaks, or wasted money on additional rolls. The good news? Measuring your walls correctly is simpler than you might think, and we're here to walk you through every step with confidence.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter for Custom Wallpaper
Unlike ready-made wallpaper that comes in standard rolls, custom and mural wallpapers are printed specifically for your space. This means precision is everything. When you measure wall for wallpaper accurately, you ensure your stunning design fits seamlessly from corner to corner, ceiling to skirting board, with no unwanted surprises during installation.
Professional decorators know that even a few centimetres can make a significant difference. Too little wallpaper leaves you with exposed patches or mismatched seams. Too much, whilst safer, can unnecessarily inflate your costs. Taking twenty minutes to measure properly now saves hours of frustration later.
Essential Tools You'll Need
Before you begin, gather these simple tools that you likely already have at home:
- Metal tape measure: A 5-metre retractable tape measure is ideal for most rooms
- Step ladder: For reaching ceiling height safely
- Pencil and paper: To record your measurements (or use your smartphone notes)
- Calculator: For adding up dimensions and calculating total area
- Spirit level (optional): Useful for checking if walls are truly vertical
Avoid using cloth tape measures as they can stretch over time, leading to inaccurate readings. A rigid metal tape provides the most reliable results.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measure Wall for Wallpaper
1. Measure the Wall Width
Start by measuring the width of your wall at three different points: near the ceiling, at the middle, and close to the skirting board. Why three measurements? Because very few walls are perfectly uniform. Note down all three measurements and use the largest one to ensure adequate coverage.
Measure from corner to corner, or from corner to door frame if applicable. Record your measurement in centimetres for precision—this is standard practice in the UK and makes calculations clearer.
2. Measure the Wall Height
Next, measure the height from ceiling to skirting board (or floor if you're removing the skirting). Again, take measurements at both ends of the wall and in the middle. Ceilings aren't always level, and using the tallest measurement ensures your wallpaper won't fall short.
If you have picture rails, ceiling coving, or other architectural features, decide whether you want the wallpaper to extend behind them or stop at their edges. Measure accordingly.
3. Account for Doors, Windows, and Obstacles
For walls with doors or windows, you have two options. The simplest approach is to measure the wall as if these obstacles don't exist—measuring the full wall width and height. This method is safer as it provides extra wallpaper for trimming and accounts for pattern matching.
Alternatively, for large windows or patio doors, you can deduct their dimensions from your total. Measure each opening's width and height, then subtract this from your overall wall area. However, we recommend adding 10-15cm around each opening for proper trimming and margin of error.
4. Add Extra for Trimming and Pattern Matching
This step is crucial and often overlooked by first-timers. Always add extra to your measurements:
- Add 5-10cm to both height and width for trimming allowance
- For patterned wallpaper, add one full pattern repeat to the height (the repeat size is usually listed in the product details)
- If your ceiling is uneven, add an extra 5cm to compensate
These additions ensure you can trim the wallpaper perfectly flush to your ceiling and skirting boards without risking coming up short.
5. Calculate Multiple Walls
If you're wallpapering an entire room, measure each wall individually using the steps above. Don't assume opposite walls are the same size—older homes especially can have surprising variations. Add all measurements together to get your total coverage area.
Special Considerations for Feature Walls
Creating a stunning feature wall with one of our nature wallpaper designs requires the same careful measurement approach. Feature walls often showcase dramatic murals where precision matters even more, as the image must align perfectly with your wall dimensions.
For mural wallpapers, you'll typically provide exact wall dimensions to ensure the image is scaled appropriately. Some homeowners prefer the mural to extend slightly beyond the wall edges for a more immersive effect, whilst others want a perfectly framed appearance.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced DIY enthusiasts can slip up when they measure wall for wallpaper. Here are the most common pitfalls:
- Measuring in feet and inches then converting: Stick to centimetres throughout to avoid conversion errors
- Assuming walls are square: Always measure, never assume symmetry
- Forgetting about pattern repeats: Patterns need to match horizontally and vertically
- Measuring skirting board to picture rail: Unless that's your intended coverage, measure the full wall height
- Rounding down: Always round up to the nearest centimetre when in doubt
What to Do If Your Walls Are Irregular
Older properties, cottages, and period homes often have walls that aren't perfectly flat or vertical. You may notice bulges, slopes, or uneven corners. In these cases:
- Take measurements at multiple points as recommended above
- Use the largest measurement for ordering purposes
- Consider consulting a professional installer who has experience with period properties
- Choose wallpaper designs with smaller, repeating patterns rather than large-scale murals, as they're more forgiving with irregular surfaces
Sloped ceilings in attic rooms or loft conversions require special attention. Measure from the highest point and consider how the wallpaper pattern will work with the angle.
Ordering Your Custom Wallpaper
Once you've measured carefully and double-checked your figures, you're ready to order. At LaCasaDellaFibra, our custom wallpapers are printed to your exact specifications. When placing your order, you'll enter your wall dimensions, and our system will calculate the precise amount needed.
If you're unsure about any aspect of your measurements or have questions about how a particular design will work in your space, our team is here to help. Visit our frequently asked questions page or get in touch directly—we'd rather help you get it right the first time than have you disappointed with the results.
Remember, it's always better to order slightly more wallpaper than you need. Having extra allows for mistakes during installation, future repairs, or touch-ups down the line. Custom wallpaper can't be reordered in the exact same production batch, so the colours might vary slightly if you need more later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to measure each wall separately when wallpapering a whole room?
Yes, absolutely. Even in newer builds, wall dimensions can vary by several centimetres from one wall to another. Measure each wall individually and record the measurements separately. This ensures you order enough wallpaper for complete coverage and helps with planning your installation order.
Should I remove the skirting boards before measuring?
This depends on your intended finish. If you plan to install wallpaper behind the skirting boards for a professional look, remove them first and measure to the floor. If you're keeping skirting boards in place, measure from the top of the skirting board to the ceiling. Most homeowners choose to wallpaper over the skirting board edge for a cleaner finish.
How much extra wallpaper should I order for pattern matching?
For wallpapers with a pattern repeat, add at least one full repeat length to your height measurement per drop. The pattern repeat information is listed in the product specifications. For example, if your pattern repeat is 64cm, add 64cm to each drop's height. For complex or large-scale patterns, consider adding 10-15% to your total order to account for matching and wastage.
What if my ceiling isn't level?
Uneven ceilings are quite common, especially in older properties. Measure the wall height at multiple points along its length and use the tallest measurement. This ensures your wallpaper will reach the ceiling at every point. You can then trim any excess at the bottom where it meets the skirting board, which is much easier to adjust.
Can I wallpaper around light switches and sockets?
Yes, you can wallpaper around electrical fittings. When measuring, calculate the wall as if the switches and sockets aren't there. During installation, you'll turn off the electricity, remove the faceplate, apply wallpaper over the area, then carefully cut out the opening and replace the faceplate. Always ensure the power is completely off before working around any electrical fittings.
Armed with accurate measurements and confidence in your preparation, you're ready to transform your space with beautiful custom wallpaper. Whether you're drawn to serene botanical scenes from our nature wallpaper collection or bold contemporary designs, proper measuring ensures your chosen style will look exactly as you imagined. Browse our full range today and discover the perfect wallpaper to bring your vision to life.