Thinking of transforming your space with wallpaper but unsure where to begin? Wallpapering can be both an exciting and daunting task, but with the right guidance, you'll be equipped to handle it like a pro. In this guide, we'll cover everything from measuring your walls to understanding pattern repeats, so you can wallpaper with confidence. Wallpapering offers endless possibilities for transforming your home, from bold, vibrant designs to subtle, serene patterns. With the right approach, this project doesn’t have to be intimidating.
First up you need to measure your space, and yes, you do need to measure again. I am sure we all know that sinking feeling of thinking you’ve measured up correctly then realising too late that it’s come up short. Even better have someone else measure the space with you, two heads are better than one!
How to Measure Your Walls Correctly for Perfect Wallpaper Application
Understanding how to measure for wallpaper will help you avoid pitfalls when wallpapering.
- Measure the height and width of all walls (including windows and doors).
- Add all the widths together to get the total width.
- If wall heights differ, keep them as separate measurements.
Mastering Wallpaper Pattern Repeats: What You Need to Know
Now that you've got the basics of measuring, it's time to understand wallpaper pattern repeats. These play a crucial role in how your final design looks.
A pattern repeat is the vertical space measured between two parts of a pattern before it repeats again. The majority of wallpapers will have a pattern repeat, ‘random match’ is one of the exceptions to the rule.
All of our wallpapers at Whistling Thorn Designs have a pattern repeat. To find the pattern repeat all you need to do is to look to on our website, on your wallpaper label or on your wallpaper sample.
Half Drop vs. Straight Match Explained
The difference between half drop and straight is the way the pattern matches up.
Half drop refers to a pattern that drops by half of the repeat. To understand this better if you have two rolls of half drop pattern repeat wallpaper and you hang both rolls side by side one roll will have to be shifted up or down by half a pattern repeat in order to make a match.
Straight means that the pattern is a straight match on the horizontal line.
To give you an example our Kitito wallpaper (See image below on left) is a ‘half drop’ pattern and Zebra Parade (Image above) is a ‘straight’ pattern repeat.
How to Calculate Wallpaper Needs with a Pattern Repeat?
When calculating for wallpaper you will need to add approximately 20% to your wallpaper calculations to allow for wastage you may have when lining up your pattern repeat. We've created a guide with step-by-step instructions to help you understand the calculations. If you haven't already downloaded the e-book, here's the link.
If the thought of having to do the calculations fills you with dread we've created a wallpaper calculater to do the work for you. All you have to do is have the wall measurements to hand, wallpaper roll details (width, length and pattern repeat, if any). Simply fill in the measurements and it does the the rest. Click here to access the wallpaper calculator.
It is always better to have more wallpaper than not enough. One of the reasons it is so important to make sure you have the right amount of wallpaper from the get-go, apart from the annoyance of being short mid-way through a project, is down to printing and colour matching.
Wallpapers are printed in batches; this means that there may be slight colour variations between the batches. If you are ordering more than one roll these need to be from the same print batch to ensure seamless colour matching. If you do have to order more wallpaper for whatever reason keep the label and/or make a note of the batch number. Ask your supplier to check that the new roll is from the same batch.
Here’s how to avoid common wallpapering mistakes.
Avoid these common wallpapering mistakes: Thinking you can subtract the windows and doors from your wallpaper calculations, forgetting to factor in pattern repeat when calculating. Underestimating the amount of wallpaper needed, not aligning patterns correctly, and poor wall preparation are just a few common errors. Proper planning ensures a smoother wallpapering process.
Preparation is key
Now that you have chosen your wallpaper and done your calculations, it's time to prepare your walls for application. Follow these steps to ensure your walls are ready for wallpapering success:
- Clean all traces of dust, dirt, and flaking paint.
- Fill in cracks and let them dry.
- Sand painted surfaces and apply diluted adhesive to porous surfaces.
You’ll find further information here.
With your new wallpapering knowledge and our handy calculator, you're ready to take on your next decorating project. Discover our beautiful collections, and let’s make your walls wonderful together!
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Armed with these tips, you’re ready to transform your space with ease. Let’s bring your wallpaper dreams to life! Don't forget to tag us on Instagram @whistlingthorndesigns.