How to Measure a Wall for Wallpaper? The Most Common Mistakes
Even the most beautiful custom-sized wallpaper won’t look its best if the wall is measured incorrectly beforehand. It is during the measuring stage that mistakes most often occur, which can later make installation more difficult or cause the pattern to look different from what you originally envisioned. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to avoid. So, how do you measure a wall for wallpaper? Find out what you need to know.
Table of Contents
- How to measure a wall correctly for wallpaper?
- What should you do if the wall has alcoves, sloped ceilings, or other unusual features?
- What are the most common measuring mistakes to avoid?
- Why is accurate measuring so important?
How to Measure a Wall Correctly for Wallpaper?
The most important rule is simple – measure the entire wall, not just the section that appears to be intended for wallpaper. A tape measure or laser distance meter will be useful for taking accurate measurements. Measure:
-
the width of the wall from one edge to the other,
-
the height of the wall from the floor to the ceiling.
If the wall is not perfectly even, take measurements in several places. In older buildings, differences can be as much as several centimeters. In such cases, always use the larger measurement.
You should also not subtract the space occupied by windows, doors, or furniture, because custom-sized wallpaper should be ordered based on the full dimensions of the wall, not just the visible area. This ensures that the pattern can be properly aligned and makes installation much easier. Before recording your final measurements, check them one more time – spending a few extra minutes taking a second measurement can save you from a costly mistake.
What Should You Do If the Wall Has Alcoves, Sloped Ceilings, or Other Unusual Features?
Not every wall has a perfectly rectangular shape. Attic apartments, older buildings, and detached houses often feature sloped ceilings, alcoves, or built-in structures. In such cases, the same rule still applies – measure the maximum height and maximum width of the wall. Any excess material can then be trimmed to the appropriate shape during installation.
You should also avoid trying to subtract the dimensions of slopes or alcoves yourself. It is much safer to order a slightly larger format and adjust it during installation than to risk running short by a few centimeters of wallpaper. If the wall has electrical outlets, light switches, or radiators, do not account for them when taking your measurements either. All these elements can be cut around during installation.
What Are the Most Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid?
The most common mistake is measuring only the free space between furniture or doors. However, wallpaper dimensions should cover the entire wall. Another frequent problem is taking measurements in only one place. Even small variations in the wall can result in several centimeters of missing material, so it is worth checking both the height and width at least two or three times.
Some of the most common mistakes when measuring walls for wallpaper also include:
- subtracting windows and doors from the measurements,
- failing to account for sloped ceilings,
- rounding measurements "by eye,"
- measuring before all finishing work has been completed,
- overlooking baseboards or ceiling moldings if they affect the final wall dimensions.
Also remember that if you get a measurement such as 248.5 cm, don’t enter 248 cm. When measuring a wall for wallpaper, it is always safer to round the measurement up.
Why Is Accurate Wall Measuring So Important?
Accurate wall measurements for wallpaper make not only the installation process easier but also help you achieve a much better visual result. If you measure the wall correctly, you will have an appropriate material allowance that allows you to precisely align the pattern, trim the edges properly, and compensate for minor irregularities in the wall.
When wallpaper is ordered without an adequate allowance, you essentially eliminate the possibility of making adjustments using the available material. Measuring the wall for wallpaper is also important because walls are rarely perfectly even. Even in new apartments, there may be slight differences in height or width.
That is why it is best to take measurements carefully and use the larger values whenever the measurements differ from one another.
How to Measure a Wall for Wallpaper? The Most Common Mistakes
How to Measure a Wall for Wallpaper? The Most Common Mistakes
Even the most beautiful custom-sized wallpaper won’t look its best if the wall is measured incorrectly beforehand. It is during the measuring stage that mistakes most often occur, which can later make installation more difficult or cause the pattern to look different from what you originally envisioned. The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to avoid. So, how do you measure a wall for wallpaper? Find out what you need to know.
Table of Contents
How to Measure a Wall Correctly for Wallpaper?
The most important rule is simple – measure the entire wall, not just the section that appears to be intended for wallpaper. A tape measure or laser distance meter will be useful for taking accurate measurements. Measure:
If the wall is not perfectly even, take measurements in several places. In older buildings, differences can be as much as several centimeters. In such cases, always use the larger measurement.
You should also not subtract the space occupied by windows, doors, or furniture, because custom-sized wallpaper should be ordered based on the full dimensions of the wall, not just the visible area. This ensures that the pattern can be properly aligned and makes installation much easier. Before recording your final measurements, check them one more time – spending a few extra minutes taking a second measurement can save you from a costly mistake.
What Should You Do If the Wall Has Alcoves, Sloped Ceilings, or Other Unusual Features?
Not every wall has a perfectly rectangular shape. Attic apartments, older buildings, and detached houses often feature sloped ceilings, alcoves, or built-in structures. In such cases, the same rule still applies – measure the maximum height and maximum width of the wall. Any excess material can then be trimmed to the appropriate shape during installation.
You should also avoid trying to subtract the dimensions of slopes or alcoves yourself. It is much safer to order a slightly larger format and adjust it during installation than to risk running short by a few centimeters of wallpaper. If the wall has electrical outlets, light switches, or radiators, do not account for them when taking your measurements either. All these elements can be cut around during installation.
What Are the Most Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid?
The most common mistake is measuring only the free space between furniture or doors. However, wallpaper dimensions should cover the entire wall. Another frequent problem is taking measurements in only one place. Even small variations in the wall can result in several centimeters of missing material, so it is worth checking both the height and width at least two or three times.
Some of the most common mistakes when measuring walls for wallpaper also include:
Also remember that if you get a measurement such as 248.5 cm, don’t enter 248 cm. When measuring a wall for wallpaper, it is always safer to round the measurement up.
Why Is Accurate Wall Measuring So Important?
Accurate wall measurements for wallpaper make not only the installation process easier but also help you achieve a much better visual result. If you measure the wall correctly, you will have an appropriate material allowance that allows you to precisely align the pattern, trim the edges properly, and compensate for minor irregularities in the wall.
When wallpaper is ordered without an adequate allowance, you essentially eliminate the possibility of making adjustments using the available material. Measuring the wall for wallpaper is also important because walls are rarely perfectly even. Even in new apartments, there may be slight differences in height or width.
That is why it is best to take measurements carefully and use the larger values whenever the measurements differ from one another.