A simple guide to getting the perfect measurements for made-to-measure murals

It might sound obvious, but ordering made-to-measure wallpaper starts with one thing: the correct wall measurements. For a seasoned decorator this is second nature, but if it is your first time there are usually a few questions. This guide walks you through exactly what to measure, what to include, and how to handle trickier walls, so you get perfect dimensions every time. And because our wallpaper is printed to your measurements, there is no working out rolls or repeats — just measure your wall and we do the rest.

First, check your units

Before anything else, check which units you are measuring in. We accept centimetres, inches or feet, so you need to know which one you are reading. Look at the markings on your tape measure — they should be labelled. As a quick guide, most wall heights fall between 230 and 300 centimetres, 7 and 10 feet, or 90 and 120 inches, so that can help you work out which scale you are reading if you are unsure.

What to include in your measurement

Measure the whole area you want to cover with wallpaper. You do not need to include skirting boards, coving or trim — unless you actually want to paper over them. Measure only the wall surface the design will go on.

Measuring a square or rectangular wall

These are the easiest walls to measure, but a word of warning: a wall that looks perfectly square almost never is. Very few walls are truly straight, so a couple of quick extra measurements save any nasty surprises.

For the width, run your tape measure horizontally from left to right across the wall and read off the number. For the height, run it vertically from top to bottom, leaving out any areas you are not papering.

We recommend taking at least two width measurements — one near the top and one near the bottom — and using the larger of the two. Do the same for the height, measuring at each side of the wall and taking the taller figure. This makes sure the wallpaper covers fully, even if the wall is slightly out of square.

Measuring a non-square or awkward wall

Walls that are not a simple rectangle need a little more care. Because we print your wallpaper as a rectangle, we need the tallest and widest points of the wall to guarantee full coverage.

For the width, extend your tape horizontally at the widest point of the wall and read the number. For the height, extend it vertically at the tallest point, again leaving out anything you are not papering. If you are not sure where the tallest and widest points are, take several measurements across the wall and use the largest of each. It is always safer to have a little extra to trim than to come up short.

Walls with windows, doors and sockets

If your wall has a window, door or other opening in it, still measure the full width and height of the whole wall as if the opening were not there. Your mural is printed to cover the entire rectangle, and you simply trim around the window, door or socket as you hang it. Measuring the full wall this way makes sure the design lines up correctly across the whole surface.

Sloped ceilings and staircase walls

For a wall that follows a staircase or a sloped ceiling, measure to the tallest and widest points, including the full rake of the slope or stairs. We print to that full rectangle so the design covers the whole area, and you trim along the angle when hanging. If in doubt, take a few measurements up the slope and use the largest.

How much wallpaper do I need?

This is where made-to-measure makes life easy. With traditional wallpaper you would have to work out repeats and count rolls, but because we print to your exact wall, there is no calculation to do. Once you enter your height and width, the price and quantity are worked out for you — you are simply ordering enough to cover the wall you measured. All you need to get right is the height and width.

A few tips for accurate measurements

Measure twice — it is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. Use a rigid tape measure or a laser measure for the most accurate reading, especially on taller walls. Always take your largest width and largest height figures. And if you find yourself between sizes, round up rather than down; a small amount of extra to trim is always better than falling short. If you would like to check a colour or design in your own light before committing, order a sample first.