Accurate wall measurements are the single most important step in ordering custom wallpaper. Because Applied Coverings prints your wallpaper to the exact dimensions you provide, getting the numbers right means your wallpaper fits perfectly with minimal waste. Getting them wrong means a reprint, added cost, and lost time.
This guide walks you through how to measure every type of wall — standard, multi-section, sloped, pitched, and walls with doors, windows, and other obstacles. You will also learn how to calculate waste factor, avoid common measurement mistakes, and determine how much extra material to order for a clean installation.
What you will need: A steel tape measure (at least 25 feet), a notepad or phone for recording dimensions, a step ladder for tall walls, and a pencil to mark reference points.
Step 1: Understand How Custom Wallpaper Is Produced
Before measuring, it helps to know how Applied Coverings handles your order. Unlike standard roll wallpaper sold in fixed widths, your custom wallpaper is printed as a set of panels based on the width and height you specify. This means:
- You are ordering a specific rectangle of material, not a number of rolls.
- The dimensions you enter into the product configurator are the dimensions that get printed across your panels.
- The panels are designed to align seamlessly — your design prints continuously across all panels.
This is a significant advantage for fit and appearance, but it also means your measurements must be precise. There are no extra panels to pull from if you come up short.
Step 2: Measure Standard Walls
A standard wall is a flat, rectangular surface with no slopes, angles, or significant obstacles.
How to measure:
- Measure the width. Place your tape measure at the left edge of the wall where it meets the adjacent wall or corner. Extend it horizontally to the right edge. Record the measurement in inches.
- Measure the height. Place your tape measure at the top of the baseboard (not the floor) and extend it vertically to just below the crown molding or ceiling line. Record the measurement in inches.
- Add your overage. Add 2 to 4 inches to both the width and the height. This gives your installer room to align the wallpaper and trim the edges cleanly.
Formula:
- Order width = wall width + 2 to 4 inches
- Order height = wall height + 2 to 4 inches
Example: Your wall measures 120 inches wide by 96 inches tall. You would order a piece that is 124 inches wide by 100 inches tall.
Pro tip: Always measure in at least two spots. Walls are rarely perfectly square. Measure the width at the top and bottom, and the height at the left and right. Use the larger number in each case.
Step 3: Measure Multiple Walls (Wraparound Installations)
When your wallpaper wraps continuously around two or more walls — such as covering an entire room or wrapping around a corner — you do not need to place separate orders for each wall.
How to measure:
- Measure the width of each wall section individually.
- Add the widths together to get your total width.
- Measure the height at the tallest point across all sections.
- Add 2 to 4 inches of overage to both the total width and the height.
Formula:
- Total order width = (Wall A width + Wall B width + Wall C width ...) + 4 inches
- Order height = tallest wall height + 4 inches
Applied Coverings will print this as a set of panels with the design running continuously across them. Your installer will align the panels and fold the material around corners during application.
Important: If one wall section is significantly taller than another (for example, a vaulted section next to a standard-height wall), measure each section separately and contact our team to discuss the best approach.
Step 4: Measure Sloped Walls
Sloped walls have one angled edge, typically found in attic rooms, loft spaces, or under staircases. The wallpaper is still printed as a rectangle — the angled portion gets trimmed during installation.
How to measure:
- Measure the widest point of the wall from left edge to right edge.
- Measure the tallest point from the baseboard to the highest point where the wall meets the ceiling.
- Add 2 to 4 inches of overage to both dimensions.
The printed panels will cover the full rectangular area. Your installer trims along the slope line after the panels are applied to the wall.
Step 5: Measure Pitched Walls
Pitched walls have two sloping edges, creating a triangular or trapezoidal shape. These are common in rooms with cathedral ceilings or A-frame structures.
How to measure:
- Measure the full width at the widest point (usually the base of the wall).
- Measure the full height at the tallest point (usually the center peak).
- Add 2 to 4 inches of overage to both dimensions.
As with sloped walls, the panels will extend beyond the angled edges. The excess is trimmed during installation for a precise fit.
Step 6: Measure Walls with Doors, Windows, and Obstacles
Do not subtract the area of doors, windows, fireplaces, or built-in shelving from your measurements. Instead, measure the entire wall as if the obstacles were not there.
How to measure:
- Measure the full width of the wall from corner to corner.
- Measure the full height from baseboard to ceiling.
- Add 2 to 4 inches of overage to both dimensions.
During installation, the panels are applied across the entire surface and then cut around obstacles with a utility knife. This approach ensures pattern continuity across the wall and eliminates the need for complicated seaming around door frames or window casings.
Why you should not subtract obstacles: Your custom wallpaper panels are printed with a continuous design that aligns across all panels. If you subtract a door opening from the width, the pattern on either side of the door will not align correctly. Ordering the full wall dimensions keeps the pattern intact across all panels.
Step 7: Measure Staircase Walls
Staircase walls follow the same principle as sloped walls. The wall runs alongside a staircase, creating an angled bottom edge where the wall meets the stair steps.
How to measure:
- Measure the full width of the wall along the staircase.
- Measure the height at the tallest point (usually at the bottom of the stairs where the ceiling is highest).
- Add 2 to 4 inches of overage to both dimensions.
The panels cover the full rectangular area. The installer trims along the stair line after application.
How Much Extra Material Should You Order? (Waste Factor)
Every wallpaper installation produces some waste from trimming edges, working around obstacles, and aligning the material on the wall. The 2-to-4-inch overage built into your measurements handles most of this, but here are additional guidelines:
| Wall Type | Recommended Overage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rectangular wall | 2 inches per side | Minimal trimming needed |
| Wall with 1-2 doors or windows | 3 inches per side | Extra trimming around obstacles |
| Sloped or pitched wall | 4 inches per side | More material removed along angles |
| Wraparound (multi-wall) | 4 inches on total width | Accounts for corner folding |
| Complex shapes (archways, niches) | 4+ inches per side, consult us | Geometry varies widely |
A note on cost: Applied Coverings materials start at $5.00 per square foot for Pre-Pasted wallpaper. Adding 4 inches of overage to a 10-foot by 8-foot wall adds roughly 5 square feet of material — about $25-$37 depending on your material choice. That is significantly less than the cost of reprinting an entire piece that came up short.
Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid
Measuring to the floor instead of the baseboard. Your wallpaper sits above the baseboard, not behind it. Measure from the top of the baseboard to just below the ceiling or crown molding.
Rounding down. Always round up to the nearest inch. A wall that measures 95.5 inches should be recorded as 96 inches, then you add your overage on top of that.
Using a cloth tape measure. Cloth and flexible tape measures stretch over long distances. Use a rigid steel tape measure for accuracy, especially on walls wider than 8 feet.
Forgetting to measure in multiple spots. Walls settle over time, and few walls are perfectly square. Measure height in at least two locations (left side and right side) and width in at least two locations (top and bottom). Use the larger number.
Subtracting doors and windows. As explained above, do not subtract obstacles. Order the full wall dimensions to maintain pattern continuity.
Measuring once. Measure twice, order once. It takes 30 seconds to double-check a measurement and could save you days of waiting on a reprint.
When to Contact Us for Help
Some wall situations are complex enough that a quick conversation with our team will save time and money. Reach out to Applied Coverings if you have:
- Walls with unusual shapes (curved walls, archways, alcoves)
- Rooms where you want wallpaper on all four walls plus the ceiling
- Commercial spaces with walls taller than 12 feet
- Any situation where you are unsure about how to measure
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area or Los Angeles, we also offer on-site measurement and installation services. A professional can measure your space and ensure your order is exactly right.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra wallpaper should I order?
Add 2 to 4 inches to both the width and height of your wall measurements. This provides enough material for your installer to align the wallpaper and trim the edges. For sloped walls or walls with multiple obstacles, use 4 inches. The added material cost is minimal compared to the cost of a reprint.
Should I measure in feet or inches?
The Applied Coverings product configurator accepts measurements in inches. Measure in inches to avoid conversion errors. If you measure in feet, multiply by 12 to convert (for example, 8 feet = 96 inches).
Do I measure from the floor or the baseboard?
Measure from the top of the baseboard to just below the crown molding or ceiling line. The wallpaper is installed above the baseboard, not behind it. If you do not have baseboards, measure from the floor.
What if my walls are not perfectly square?
Most walls are not perfectly square. Measure the height at both the left and right sides of the wall, and measure the width at both the top and bottom. Use the larger measurement in each case, then add your overage. This ensures full coverage even where the wall is slightly uneven.
Can I get wallpaper for just part of a wall?
Yes. If you are creating an accent section, a headboard feature, or a framed panel, simply measure the exact area you want covered and add your 2-to-4-inch overage. The product configurator lets you enter any custom dimensions.
Ready to Order?
Once you have your measurements, visit the Applied Coverings wallpaper collection to choose your design. Enter your wall dimensions into the configurator, select your preferred material, and see a live preview before you order. Every piece is custom printed in California and shipped directly to you.
Not sure which material is right for your project? Read our guide on choosing the right wallpaper for your space. For installation help, see our detailed wallpaper installation instructions.
