Wallpaper is making a major comeback in UK homes, from feature walls to full room coverage. But unlike paint, getting the wrong amount is costly—running short means potentially mismatched batches, while over-ordering wastes money on a product you can't return once cut.
This guide explains UK wallpaper roll sizes, how to account for pattern repeats, typical 2025 prices from UK retailers, and step-by-step calculations to ensure you order the right amount first time.
Standard Wallpaper Roll Sizes
European Roll: 10.05m × 0.53m (same as UK)
American Roll: Often 4.6m × 0.68m = 3.1 m²
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Basic Calculation Method
- Measure total wall perimeter (all walls added together)
- Measure ceiling height
- Calculate drops per roll: Roll length ÷ Drop height
- Calculate drops needed: Perimeter ÷ Roll width
- Rolls needed = Drops needed ÷ Drops per roll
Example: Living Room
Room: 5m × 4m, ceiling height 2.4m
Perimeter: 2 × (5 + 4) = 18m
Drops needed: 18 ÷ 0.53 = 34 drops
Drops per roll: 10.05 ÷ 2.5 (with waste) = 4 drops
Rolls needed: 34 ÷ 4 = 8.5 → 9 rolls
Quick Reference Table
| Wall Perimeter | 2.4m Height | 2.7m Height | 3.0m Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10m | 5 rolls | 6 rolls | 6 rolls |
| 12m | 6 rolls | 7 rolls | 7 rolls |
| 14m | 7 rolls | 8 rolls | 8 rolls |
| 16m | 8 rolls | 9 rolls | 9 rolls |
| 18m | 9 rolls | 10 rolls | 10 rolls |
| 20m | 10 rolls | 11 rolls | 12 rolls |
Pattern Repeat
Patterned wallpaper creates more waste:
| Pattern Type | Extra Needed |
|---|---|
| Plain/textured | No extra |
| Small pattern (0-15cm repeat) | +10% |
| Medium pattern (15-30cm repeat) | +15-20% |
| Large pattern (30cm+ repeat) | +20-30% |
| Half-drop pattern | +25-30% |
Deductions for Openings
| Opening | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Standard door | 0.5 roll |
| Patio doors | 1 roll |
| Standard window | 0.25 roll |
| Large window | 0.5 roll |
Wallpaper Prices UK 2025
| Type | Price per Roll | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget vinyl | £5-15 | B&Q, Wilko |
| Mid-range | £15-40 | Graham & Brown, Superfresco |
| Premium designer | £40-80 | Cole & Son, Farrow & Ball |
| Luxury/hand-printed | £80-200+ | William Morris, de Gournay |
Professional hanging costs £80-150 per room on top of materials.
UK Wallpaper Retailers
| Retailer | Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| B&Q, Homebase | Budget to mid | Quick DIY projects |
| Dunelm | Mid-range | Coordinated room looks |
| Graham & Brown | Mid to premium | Trendy designs |
| Wallpaperdirect | All ranges | Widest selection online |
| John Lewis | Premium | Designer brands |
Wallpaper Types Explained
- Vinyl coated: Durable, wipeable, good for kitchens/bathrooms
- Non-woven: Paste the wall (easier), breathable, good for bedrooms
- Textured: Hides wall imperfections, can be painted over
- Peel and stick: Removable, rental-friendly, DIY-easy
- Grasscloth/natural: Natural fibres, expensive, needs specialist hanging
DIY vs Professional Hanging
| Option | Cost (typical room) | Best When |
|---|---|---|
| DIY | Materials only | Plain/textured, good DIY skills |
| Decorator | £80-150 + materials | Patterned, expensive paper, feature wall |
Pattern matching and corners require skill—consider a pro for your first room.
Standard UK Wallpaper Roll Dimensions and Calculations
In the United Kingdom, the standard wallpaper roll measures 10.05 metres long by 0.53 metres wide (approximately 33 feet by 21 inches). This has been the industry standard for decades and is what the vast majority of wallpapers sold in UK retailers follow. However, some designer and speciality wallpapers come in different sizes, so always check the dimensions printed on the roll or product listing before calculating quantities.
Understanding Pattern Repeat
Pattern repeat is the vertical distance between one point in a design and the next identical point directly below it. This is one of the most important factors affecting how much wallpaper you need, because each drop (length of wallpaper hung on the wall) must be cut to align the pattern with the adjacent drop. There are three types of pattern match to understand:
- Free match: No pattern alignment needed. The design is random or textured, so drops can be hung without matching. This produces the least waste.
- Straight match: The pattern matches at the same point on each drop. Each length is cut starting at the same position in the pattern. You need to add one full pattern repeat to each drop length to ensure alignment.
- Offset match (half drop): The pattern on adjacent drops is staggered by half the repeat distance. This typically produces the most waste, as alternating drops start at different points in the pattern. You may need to add up to one and a half times the pattern repeat to each drop.
Calculating Drops Per Roll
To determine how many usable drops you can get from a standard UK roll, follow this method. First, measure your wall height and add 50mm (5cm) at the top and bottom for trimming, giving you the trimmed drop length. For patterned wallpaper, round the trimmed drop length up to the next full pattern repeat. Then divide the roll length (10.05 metres) by the adjusted drop length to find drops per roll, always rounding down to a whole number.
Example: For a room with 2.4 metre ceilings and wallpaper with a 53cm pattern repeat:
- Wall height plus trimming allowance: 2.4m + 0.1m = 2.5m
- Rounded up to next pattern repeat: 2.5m rounds to 2.65m (5 x 0.53m)
- Drops per roll: 10.05m / 2.65m = 3.79, rounded down to 3 drops per roll
Next, measure the total width of all walls and divide by the roll width (0.53m) to find the total number of drops needed. Divide the total drops by drops per roll to find the number of rolls required, always rounding up.
Paste Types for UK Wallpaper
The type of paste you need depends on the wallpaper material. There are three main categories commonly sold in the UK:
- Paste-the-wall: Modern non-woven wallpapers allow you to apply paste directly to the wall rather than the paper. This is the fastest and easiest method, as there is no need for a pasting table or soaking time. Most contemporary wallpapers sold in the UK are paste-the-wall.
- Paste-the-paper: Traditional wallpapers, including many printed and vinyl designs, require paste to be applied to the back of the paper. The pasted paper must then be folded (booked) and left to soak for the time specified by the manufacturer, typically two to five minutes, before hanging.
- Ready-pasted: These wallpapers have dried adhesive pre-applied to the back. You simply soak the cut length in a water trough to activate the paste. While convenient, the adhesive is generally less strong than separate paste, so they may not be suitable for humid rooms like kitchens or bathrooms.
For heavy wallpapers, embossed designs, or vinyl coverings, use a heavy-duty adhesive or one specifically recommended by the manufacturer. In high-moisture areas, consider using a paste containing fungicide to prevent mould growth behind the wallpaper.
Dealing with Obstacles and Waste
Windows, doors, fireplaces, and other obstacles complicate wallpaper calculations. As a general rule, count each standard window as half a drop width and each standard door as one full drop width of savings. However, it is wise to order at least one extra roll beyond your calculations to account for cutting errors, misaligned patterns, and future repairs. Most UK retailers accept returns of unopened rolls within 30 days, so buying one or two extra rolls is a sensible precaution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wallpapering in the UK
How many rolls of wallpaper do I need for an average UK room?
A typical UK bedroom measuring 4m x 3.5m with 2.4m ceilings requires approximately 8 to 10 rolls of standard wallpaper for a plain or free-match pattern. Rooms with large pattern repeats may require 10 to 12 rolls due to increased waste from pattern matching.
Can I wallpaper over existing wallpaper?
While it is technically possible, it is generally not recommended. Bubbles, seams, and imperfections in the old wallpaper will show through the new layer. The adhesive of the new paper may also soften the old adhesive, causing both layers to peel away. For best results, remove old wallpaper using a steam stripper, repair the plaster underneath, and apply a coat of wallpaper sizing before hanging new paper.
How do I wallpaper around corners?
Never wrap a full width of wallpaper around a corner, as UK walls are rarely perfectly square and the paper will crease or pull away. Instead, measure the distance from the last full drop to the corner, add 15mm, and cut the paper to this width. Hang this piece into the corner. Then hang the next full drop on the new wall, overlapping the 15mm turnover, using a plumb line to ensure it is perfectly vertical.
What is lining paper and do I need it?
Lining paper is a plain, unfinished paper applied to walls before the decorative wallpaper. It provides a smooth, uniform surface that improves adhesion and hides minor imperfections. In the UK, lining paper is graded from 800 (thin) to 2000 (heavy). For most walls in reasonable condition, grade 1200 is suitable. Hang lining paper horizontally (cross-lining) to prevent seams from aligning with the decorative wallpaper above.
Wallpaper in UK Homes: Trends, Standards, and Buying Guide
The UK wallpaper market is valued at approximately 400 million pounds annually, reflecting the enduring popularity of wall coverings in British homes. Unlike many continental European countries where painted walls dominate, the UK has a strong tradition of wallpapering that dates back to the 16th century, with William Morris's iconic Arts and Crafts designs from the 1860s still being reproduced and sold today. The current trend towards feature walls has made wallpaper accessible to a wider audience, as a single feature wall requires only two to three rolls and can dramatically transform a room.
UK wallpaper is manufactured to the European standard EN 233, which specifies requirements for finished wallcoverings. British Standard rolls measure 10.05 metres long by 0.53 metres wide, providing approximately 5.3 square metres of coverage before pattern matching waste. Some designer and specialist wallpapers are sold in wider rolls (typically 0.68 metres or 1.0 metre wide), which reduce the number of seams but can be more challenging to hang. The paste-the-wall technology, pioneered in the UK and now widely available, has made wallpapering significantly easier for DIY enthusiasts by eliminating the need for a pasting table and reducing the soaking time required by traditional paste-the-paper products.
Major UK wallpaper retailers include B&Q, Homebase, Wickes, Dunelm, and specialist online stores such as Wallpaper Direct and I Love Wallpaper. Prices range from 5 to 15 pounds per roll for budget ranges, 15 to 40 pounds for mid-range designs, and 40 to over 200 pounds per roll for designer collections from brands such as Farrow and Ball, Cole and Son, and Designers Guild. When purchasing from different batches, always check the batch number on each roll, as colours can vary slightly between print runs. Most UK retailers will accept returns of unopened, unused rolls within 14 to 30 days, but it is wise to buy one or two extra rolls rather than risk a colour mismatch from a later batch.
Practical Tips for Wallpapering in the UK
- Always buy an extra roll for future repairs. UK wallpaper designs are typically discontinued after two to three years, and even if the same design is restocked, the colours may differ between batch runs. Buying one extra roll costs relatively little and provides insurance against damage, staining, or the need to repaper around new fixtures. Store the spare roll in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
- Check your walls for damp before wallpapering. The UK's humid climate makes damp a common issue, particularly in older properties. Wallpapering over a damp wall will cause the paper to bubble, peel, and develop mould within months. Use a damp meter (available from most UK DIY stores for under 20 pounds) to check moisture levels before starting. If damp is detected, address the underlying cause before decorating.
- Use a lining paper for the best finish on imperfect walls. Many older UK properties have uneven plastered walls with hairline cracks and imperfections. Hanging 1200-grade lining paper horizontally before applying your wallpaper creates a smooth, uniform surface that dramatically improves the final result. This is standard practice among professional UK decorators and adds only a few pounds in material costs.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
How many rolls of wallpaper do I need for a feature wall?
What is the difference between paste-the-wall and paste-the-paper wallpaper?
How do I remove old wallpaper from UK plaster walls?
Emma Thompson
Senior Content Editor
Emma is a senior content editor with a background in financial journalism. She specialises in making UK regulations and calculator tools understandable for consumers, working closely with qualified professionals to ensure accuracy.