How Much to Wallpaper a Room in UK: Know it All

Are you thinking of giving your room a fresh, new look? Putting up wallpaper is a great way to give any room personality and style. But before starting this transformative project, it’s important to know how much to wallpaper a room costs.

In this article will walk you through the steps of wallpapering a room and tell you how much the materials and labour cost in the UK.

DIY vs Professional Installation – Which Path to Choose?

You can apply Wallpaper on your room by yourself or by a professional. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore each of them:

DIY Wallpapering: Embracing the Challenge

1. The Joy of Learning:

It can be fun and satisfying to do your wallpapering. It’s a chance to get better at something and feel good about yourself after finishing a home improvement job by yourself. It’s easier than ever to do things yourself now that there are so many tools out there, like detailed how-to guides and instructional videos.

2. Cost Considerations:

Why do it yourself? The most clear reason is that it saves you money. You only have to budget for ingredients and tools since you don’t have to pay people to do the work. But don’t forget to think about how much extra wallpaper you might need in case something goes wrong, especially if this is your first time doing it.

3. Time and Effort:

Do-it-yourself jobs often take a lot of time, and wallpapering is no different. It needs careful attention and patience. DIY might not be the best choice if you’re short on time or want to make changes quickly.

Also Read: How to Paint Over Wallpaper: A Step-by-Step Guide

Professional Installation: The Expert Touch

1. Quality and Efficiency:

Hiring professional guarantees a good finish, with all the seams and edges lined up correctly. Professionals bring knowledge and speed to the table, and they can often finish the job much faster than if you did it yourself.

2. Complex Projects:

When it comes to rooms with high ceilings, lots of windows, or complicated wallpaper designs, the skills of a professional are even more valuable. They can easily handle these problems, which could be hard for someone who likes to do things themselves.

3. Cost vs Convenience:

It costs more to hire a professional, but it will save you a lot of stress and trouble. There is a cost difference between having the job done right and not having to worry about it.

Combining DIY and Professional Services

1. A Hybrid Approach:

You don’t have to pick between DIY projects and hiring professionals. You might want to do some of the work yourself, like preparing the walls or taking down old wallpaper, and then hire a professional to do the real wallpapering. This mix of methods can help you save cash while still giving your project a professional look.

2. Skill Building:

Starting with a small, less noticeable room or a single feature wall can be a good way to build your skills before moving on to bigger projects or areas that people will see.

How Much to Wallpaper a Room Costs?

The cost depends on various factors. Such as wallpaper quality, labour installation quality, and additional expenses. Let’s break down all of them:

Material Costs – Exploring Your Options

Wallpaper can dramatically alter the look and feel of a room, and there’s a wide variety to choose from. Each type comes with its own price range, influenced by factors like material, design, and durability. Here’s a closer look at some popular types of wallpaper available in the UK market:

Vinyl Wallpaper: One of the most common and versatile types, vinyl wallpaper is known for its durability and ease of cleaning. It’s an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to its moisture-resistant properties. Price-wise, it’s generally affordable, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners. Prices can range from £10 to £30 per roll.

Embossed Wallpaper: Ideal for adding texture and depth to walls, embossed wallpaper is great for covering imperfections. It can be painted over, offering flexibility in terms of design. This type is slightly more expensive than vinyl, with prices typically ranging from £15 to £50 per roll.

Flock Wallpaper: Known for its velvet-like pattern, flock wallpaper adds a touch of luxury and depth to any room. However, it’s more delicate and harder to clean, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas. This premium wallpaper can cost anywhere from £30 to £100 per roll.

Grasscloth Wallpaper: Made from natural materials like hemp, jute, or seagrass, grasscloth wallpaper adds a rustic and organic feel to rooms. It’s eco-friendly but on the higher end in terms of price, ranging from £40 to £120 per roll.

Metallic Wallpaper: For those looking to add a modern or glamorous touch, metallic wallpapers with their shiny finishes are a perfect choice. These wallpapers range from subtle metal accents to full metallic surfaces and are priced between £25 and £80 per roll.

Designer Wallpaper: If you’re looking for something unique or with artistic designs, designer wallpapers are the way to go. Collaborations with artists or designer labels mean these wallpapers are often more expensive, with prices starting from £50 and going upwards of £200 per roll.

Removable Wallpaper: A great option for renters or those who like to change decor frequently, removable wallpapers are easy to install and remove without damaging walls. The cost for these wallpapers can vary greatly, from £20 to £60 per roll, depending on the design and quality.

Room Size and Wallpaper Quantity

Determining how much wallpaper you’ll need is crucial to avoid under or over-purchasing. This can be influenced by the size of your room and the dimensions of the wallpaper rolls. Here’s a guide to help you estimate the amount of wallpaper required for your room:

Measuring Your Room: Start by measuring the height and width of each wall in the room you plan to wallpaper. Remember to subtract the space taken up by doors and windows. This will give you the total surface area to be covered.

Also read: A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wallpaper Around a Window Like a Pro

Understanding Wallpaper Roll Dimensions: In the UK, wallpaper typically comes in rolls of 10 meters in length and 53 centimeters in width. However, variations exist, so it’s important to check the dimensions of the wallpaper you choose.

Calculating the Number of Rolls: To calculate the number of rolls required, divide the total surface area of your walls by the coverage area of a single roll. For instance, if a roll covers 5 square meters and your room’s total area is 25 square meters, you would need 5 rolls.

Accounting for Pattern Repeat: If your chosen wallpaper has a pattern, you’ll need to factor in the pattern repeat. This is the vertical distance between where the pattern becomes identical again. A larger pattern repeat means more wastage, as you’ll need to align the patterns, leading to more offcuts.

Extra Wallpaper: Always buy an extra roll or two, especially if your wallpaper has a complex pattern. This ensures you have enough wallpaper to account for mistakes or future repairs. It’s particularly important if the wallpaper is part of a special batch or color run, as finding a matching roll later can be challenging.

Using a Wallpaper Calculator: Many online tools are available to help you calculate the number of rolls needed. These wallpaper calculators can factor in room dimensions, roll size, and pattern repeat, making your estimation more precise.

Labour Costs – Understanding the Professional Services

For individuals seeking professional wallpapering services, a range of options is available, tailored to various room sizes and conditions. One can opt for the application of customer-provided wallpaper in compact bedrooms, which involves working on well-maintained, painted walls. This service typically takes about one and a half days and costs around £300 – £350  in labour, with no additional material costs.

For more extensive needs, there’s a service that includes the removal of old wallpaper, minor wall repairs, and lining, before installing new wallpaper provided by the customer. This more comprehensive service, suitable for an average room, takes about three days and costs £525 – £550 in labour, plus £25 for materials.

For larger spaces, such as a spacious double bedroom with a bay window, the service extends to four days of work, costing £700 – £750 in labour with a material cost of £30. These services offer a convenient solution for those looking to refresh their living spaces with new wallpaper, ensuring professional results regardless of the room size or condition.

Cost-Saving Tips – Smart Ways to Wallpaper on a Budget

1. Choose Economical Wallpaper Styles

Explore the world of wallpaper that doesn’t cost as much. Visit home improvement shops during sales or when lines are on sale. Manufacturers sometimes lower the prices of older styles to make room for new ones. This can be a great opportunity for people who love to find great deals.

Consider using a more expensive wallpaper as a feature wall and complementing it with a cheaper, coordinating wallpaper or paint for the rest of the room. This approach gives you a splash of luxury without the full expense.

2. DIY Wallpapering

You don’t have to pay a professional to put up wallpaper if you do it yourself. Online tutorials and movies are full of step-by-step instructions that are perfect for people who are just starting.

Instead of buying all the tools, see if you can borrow from friends or family. Some DIY stores also offer rental services for wallpapering tools, which can be more cost-effective than purchasing everything outright.

3. Wall Preparation on a Budget

You can fix small holes in the wall or smooth out rough spots on the wall yourself for very little money. This makes it easier for professionals to do their job if you decide to hire one to hang the wallpaper.

For minor wall preparation, consider using leftover materials from previous projects or ask for surplus supplies from friends or local community groups.

4. Smart Shopping

Spend some time looking around and contrasting costs. There are often deals in online markets and local shops, especially during clearance or holiday sales.

If you have multiple rooms to wallpaper, consider buying in bulk. Some retailers offer discounts for larger purchases, which can be a boon if you’re planning a bigger project.

5. Reusing and Recycling

Have any extra wallpaper? Do small projects at home with it, like lining drawers, making custom art, or covering cabinets. This helps you save money and gives your home a more unique look.

Check out local community boards or online groups where people might be giving away leftover wallpaper. It’s a great way to find free or low-cost materials and can be a fun way to mix and match designs.

Also Read: How to Dispose of Wallpaper Paste

FAQs

1. How much wallpaper do I need for my room?

Explain how to calculate the amount of wallpaper needed based on room dimensions.

2. Can I wallpaper over the existing wallpaper?

Discuss the pros and cons of wallpapering over existing layers.

3. How long does it take to wallpaper a room?

Provide a general timeframe for both DIY and professional installations.

4. What is the best type of wallpaper for a beginner to use?

Suggest user-friendly wallpaper options for those new to wallpapering.

5. Is it more cost-effective to wallpaper a room or paint it?

Compare the costs and benefits of wallpapering versus painting a room.

Conclusion

Putting up wallpaper is a great way to make your living space look new again. How much to wallpaper in a room costs depends on many things, but planning and thinking about what you need can help you handle your costs well. Putting up wallpaper is a fun job that can change the look of your home in the UK, whether you hire a professional or do it yourself.