How to Measure Your Walls
A wallpaper installation is a tailored finish, not a casual purchase. Precise measurements ensure your order fits your space beautifully, installs smoothly, and arrives without delays. Measuring incorrectly can turn an exciting project into an avoidable disruption, for you and for us.
This guide walks you through a simple, reliable method to measure with confidence.
What You’ll Need
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A tape measure (laser measure is ideal, tape is perfectly fine)
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A pencil and paper (or your notes app)
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A step stool or ladder (if needed)
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A second person (optional, but helpful)
Step 1: Measure the Height
Measure the wall height in three places:
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Left side
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Center
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Right side
Walls are rarely perfectly even. Use the largest measurement.
Write it down as:
Wall height = ____ inches
If you have crown molding or baseboards, measure the wallpaper area you intend to cover. If you want wallpaper behind trim, include that height.
Step 2: Measure the Width
Measure the wall width in three places:
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Near the ceiling
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Mid-wall
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Near the baseboard
Use the largest measurement.
Write it down as:
Wall width = ____ inches
If the wall includes corners, measure corner to corner. If you are wrapping around an adjacent wall, measure each wall separately.
Step 3: Identify Any Openings and Obstacles
Do not subtract windows, doors, or outlets from your measurements. Wallpaper is installed as a continuous surface and trimmed on site.
Instead, simply note:
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Doors and windows (location and approximate size)
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Alcoves or returns
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Sloped ceilings
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Fireplaces
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Built-ins
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Radiators or wall-mounted units
These details help prevent surprises during installation.
Step 4: Decide Where the Wallpaper Will Start and End
If your wallpaper stops at:
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a corner
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a trim edge
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a panel molding boundary
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cabinetry
Make sure your measurements reflect those exact endpoints. “Close enough” is rarely close enough with wallpaper.
Step 5: Add a Small Safety Allowance
Professional installers typically recommend ordering a little extra to account for:
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pattern matching
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trimming at ceiling and baseboard
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slight wall variation
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installation technique
A small buffer is a quiet form of insurance.
Why Accurate Measuring Matters
Wallpaper is not like paint. You cannot stretch it to cover a shortfall, and you cannot “make it work” without consequences.
When measurements are incorrect, it often leads to:
An Incomplete Installation
If the order is short, the project stops. Installers cannot finish, and your space remains mid-process.
Delays and Downtime
Wallpaper is custom printed to order. A reprint means additional production time and shipping time.
Wasted Materials and Added Costs
If too much wallpaper is ordered, it becomes unnecessary expense. If too little is ordered, the cost of reordering and reshipping can exceed the original savings.
Increased Stress for Everyone
Incorrect measurements don’t just inconvenience your schedule. They can disrupt:
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installer appointments
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renovation timelines
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move-in dates
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business openings
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travel plans
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your peace of mind
- your budget
A Calm Way to Double-Check
Before you place your order, ask yourself:
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Did I measure height and width in three places and use the largest number?
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Did I note any unusual features (slopes, alcoves, built-ins)?
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Am I measuring the exact area I want wallpaper to cover?
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Did I allow for trimming and pattern matching?
If the answer is yes, you are in an excellent position to order with confidence.
Want Us to Review Your Measurements?
If you would like a second set of eyes, we are happy to help. Send:
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your wall height and width (largest measurements)
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a few clear photos of the space
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any notes about obstacles or ceiling slopes
Email us at hello@sckribbles.com.
Beautiful walls begin with precision.