How to
How to measure a wall for wallpaper sold by the square foot
A worked example with doors, windows and pattern repeat.
By Lionel Scharly · October 2026 · 5 min read
Our wallcoverings are printed to order and priced by the square foot, so a careful measurement saves you money and a second print run. All you need is a tape measure, a pencil and ten minutes per wall.
1. Measure each wall
Measure the width of the wall along the floor, and the height from the top of the baseboard to the ceiling (or to the crown molding). Measure in feet and round up to the next half foot. If the ceiling is not level — common in older New York apartments — measure the height at both ends and use the larger number.
Multiply width by height to get the gross area of the wall.
2. Subtract large openings
Subtract doors, large windows and built-ins that will not be covered. Measure each one the same way. Leave small openings such as outlets, switches and narrow windows in the total — the paper is cut out around them on site, so it still has to be printed.
3. Add overage for trimming and pattern repeat
Every strip is trimmed at the top and bottom, and patterns have to line up from one strip to the next. That costs material. As a rule of thumb, add 10% for a plain or small pattern, and 15% or more for a large repeat like Waves or Multiple. If you are unsure, send us the measurements and the pattern and we will calculate it for you.
A worked example
Say you are papering one feature wall in a living room: 14 feet wide and 9 feet high, with one door (3 × 7 feet) and one window (4 × 5 feet).
| Gross wall area | 14 ft × 9 ft = 126 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Door | 3 ft × 7 ft = 21 sq ft |
| Window | 4 ft × 5 ft = 20 sq ft |
| Net area | 126 − 21 − 20 = 85 sq ft |
| Overage for a large repeat (15%) | 85 × 1.15 = 97.75 → 98 sq ft |
| To order | 98 sq ft |
At $16 per square foot, that wall would cost $1,568 in wallcovering. Enter the total on the pattern page and the price updates automatically.
Tips from the drafting table
- Measure every wall separately — rooms are rarely square.
- Note where the pattern should start: centered on a fireplace or bed wall usually looks best.
- Order everything for one room at once; separate print runs can vary slightly in color.
- Order a $10 sample first — it shows the true color and scale of the pattern, and the $10 is credited to your order.
- Have a professional installer check the walls are smooth, primed and dry before hanging.