One of the most common questions I’m asked as a wallpaper designer is: “How much wallpaper do I need?” Whether you’re planning to cover a small powder room or create a dramatic feature wall with statement wallpaper, getting your calculations right is essential before placing your order.
The good news? It’s not as complicated as it first seems. With a little bit of measuring and an understanding of pattern repeats, you can work out exactly how many rolls of luxury wallpaper you’ll need—and avoid costly mistakes along the way.
Step One: Account for Pattern Repeats
When working with patterned wallpaper, you’ll need to allow for the pattern repeat. This ensures the design lines up seamlessly across each drop of wallpaper.
Here’s how to calculate it:
- Measure the height of your wall.
- Find out the pattern repeat (usually listed in centimetres on the wallpaper specification).
Divide the wall height by the pattern repeat. If the number isn’t whole, round it up.
Example:
If your wall is 2.24m high and the wallpaper has a pattern repeat of 40.61cm (0.4061m), divide 2.24 by 0.4061. The answer is 5.52 repeats, which you then round up to 6 repeats.
If you buy a standard 10m roll of this wallpaper, you’ll have 24.62 repeats in the roll (10 ÷ 0.4061). This means you’ll get 6 drops of wallpaper from that roll for a ceiling height of 2.24m.
Step Two: Map It Out
I always recommend sketching your room to visualise how the wallpaper will be hung. This doesn’t need to be a technical drawing—just a quick sketch to see how many drops you’ll need across the walls.
For example, let’s take a small toilet/powder room:
Room size: 152cm x 124cm
Ceiling height: 224cm
Based on this, you would need maximum of 3 rolls of wallpaper (not accounting for doors or windows, which would reduce the amount).

Choosing the Right Wallpaper
Once you’ve worked out how much wallpaper you need, the fun begins—choosing the right design! Here are a few things to consider:
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British Made Wallpaper: Supporting local craftsmanship not only ensures exceptional quality but also celebrates traditional design heritage.
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Statement Wallpaper: Perfect for creating bold, dramatic interiors—ideal in hallways, dining rooms or cloakrooms where you want to make an impact.
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Luxury Wallpaper: With superior inks, finishes and designs, luxury wallcoverings can completely transform a space, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Eco-Friendly Wallpaper: Sustainability is increasingly important in interior design. Look for wallpapers made using environmentally responsible materials and printing methods to ensure your walls are as kind to the planet as they are beautiful.
Need a Hand?
Working out wallpaper quantities can be tricky, but it’s worth the effort to avoid over- or under-ordering. If you’re ever unsure, I’m always happy to help—just get in touch and I can walk you through the calculations.
And don’t forget: ordering a sample first is the best way to see how the design will look in your home before committing.
And if you need me, please do not hesitate to ping me an email and I can always help!
April x