Q: Does anyone know how to measure stairwells for wallpaper? I have a four-story rowhouse with a winding staircase along one wall. It is currently papered (and the paper is really old and stained and there's no way to clean it). There are some places where the height is 16 feet, and some places where it's two feet (over doors). Do I just segment the space and add all the square footage together, or is there a better way to figure out how much wallpaper I'll need? Thanks!
Sent by Erica
Editor: There are lots of online wallpaper estimation calculators &mash; the important thing is to know the size and scale of the repeat in the pattern you choose. I hope this helps! Does anyone have experience estimating wallpaper?
Image: Living Etc | Colourwash Stripe wallpaper in Chambray, from Laura Ashley
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I'd call a professional - not just for estimating the amount needed for the particular pattern - but to install.
Erica, your home sounds lovely. I adore curved staircases. I would get a linear measurement and then find an average wall height to determine the square footage. Or you may want to number each existing "drop" of paper with a chalk number and add them together.
At work, we take the total square footage of the wall space being papered and divide by the usable yield per single roll based on the repeat of the pattern you've chosen. This usually means anywhere from 25 sq.ft. per S/R if the repeat is less than 6" to 16 sq. ft. per S/R for repeats over 25".
Preferably, however, we suggest customers consult with a professional hanger. Often by seeing the room (rather than just the square footage) paper can be saved by choosing the correct starting point and creatively using waste. Hiring a professional is my best advice.
There is one other method that I sometimes use, however, and that is counting strips. Knowing the width of your selected paper roll, count how many widths you need to cover the whole space. For each width, measure the height you need and add one repeat length for potential waste. Added up, you get the total linear feet of paper you need; divide this by the length of the roll of your selected paper to get your total.
I went with cmpeterson's method and measured individual areas, came up with the square footage, added it together, and divided by 20 (the repeat of the pattern), then added a couple more single rolls just to be on the safe side.
After a lot of thinking about just how to hang the paper on the curving treacherous stairs, I did decide to hire a pro, but now I have to come up with the funds....
Thanks for the suggestions on measuring!