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myWallpapering Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost to wallpaper a room is £300.
- Most jobs take 1 - 2 days to complete.
- Wallpapering installation costs in 2025 by room type.
- How long the job takes and what's typically involved.
- How to find a local painter and decorator using MyJobQuote.
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£300
Table of Contents
How Much to Wallpaper a Room?
Wallpaper cost is around £350 for a large bedroom, though wallpapering costs vary depending on where you are in the country and who you hire. You may also need to factor in wallpaper removal costs if stripping existing paper is required. Your choice of wallpaper affects the price, too. Decorators usually charge £100-£150 per day.
Labour costs change depending on bedroom size, room layout, and your location. Standard square rooms with no awkward corners are quicker to wallpaper and cost less than rooms requiring lots of complex cuts. Location is one of the most important factors affecting wallpaper hanging costs, with those in expensive areas paying up to 50% more for labour.
Wall condition also impacts the cost, and clean, smooth walls with no filling required mean painters and decorators can offer more attractive quotes. As a guide, wallpaper cost per m² works out at around £10 to £12 for a straightforward room with hanging only, or around £20 per m² if old paper needs stripping first.
Some decorators charge by the roll, others by room size or hourly rates. The cost of wallpaper installation varies based on these factors, though wallpapering your bedroom can really set off the room nicely. If you want to work out how much to wallpaper one wall, measure your wall in m² and use the costs above.
Which is easier to hang, paste the wall or paste the paper wallpaper?
"I would recommend a paste the wall wallpaper as it is easier to hang and trim and it is a non woven paper so there is no shrinkage."
Wallpapering Prices
These prices include labour and basic materials (paste, preparation) but exclude wallpaper costs. Wallpaper prices vary from £10-£100+ per roll, depending on quality and design.
| Room Type | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (new wallpaper only) | 1-2 days | £300 |
| Small bedroom (strip & hang) | 3 days | £550 |
| Large bedroom with bay window | 4 days | £730 |
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Factors That Impact the Cost to Wallpaper a Room
Wallpaper cost is influenced by several factors, with room size and complexity being the most obvious. Bigger rooms and awkward spaces take longer, so wallpapering costs increase accordingly.
Wall Condition Impact
The condition of the walls will also have an impact on wallpaper installation costs. Walls with lots of cracks and holes, which need fixing before hanging wallpaper, require much more preparation time, bumping up the cost significantly.
Labour Considerations
Wallpapering is quite labour-intensive, and labour costs are always substantial, usually costing more than the wallpaper itself.
It's important to discuss the preparation work required with your decorator and check exactly what is included in the quotes.
Additional Work Factors
Most painters & decorators will expect the householder to move all furniture and possessions into the centre of the room, giving them easy access to start work. Removing all your furniture and possessions from a room and putting them back afterwards can take hours, so make sure you know what is included in the price.
Wallpapering is now a popular choice in the UK when it comes to freshening up a bedroom, but once wallpapered, to finish the room off properly, you will usually need to also paint skirting boards, door & window frames, and ceilings (and the doors themselves if painted).
Wallpaper Removal
Wallpaper removal will add to the price because the decorator has to get the walls back to a clean surface before any new paper goes on. Stubborn vinyl, more than one old layer, or paper that was put straight onto bare plaster will take longer to strip and may need steaming.
If the wallpaper removal pulls the plaster, the wall will then need filling or lining before it can be papered again.
Types of Wallpaper
There are many different types of paper, each with their own specific advantages and disadvantages, but here are some of the main types:
- Printed Wallpaper — Lots of choice and usually the cheapest to buy, but thin papers can tear when hanging and show up bad walls.
- Linear Wallpaper — Really strong and good for hiding cracked walls, and you can paint over it, but it’s tougher to work with than normal paper and it’s not easy to remove later.
- Vinyl Wallpaper — Tough and wipeable so good for well used rooms or kids bedrooms, but it can be harder to strip later.
- Woodchip Wallpaper — It covers rough walls cheaply, but it’s dated and difficult to remove.
- Past the Wall Wallpaper — Easier and cleaner to hang and take down, but rolls can cost more than basic paper.
Checklist: Having a Room Professionally Wallpapered
- Do they have examples of similar work? Ask to see photos of your decorator's previous wallpapering work, particularly pattern matching.
- Do they include wall prep? Check your decorator includes wall preparation in their quote, as smooth walls are essential for a professional finish.
- Do they offer samples? If your decorator is providing the wallpaper, request samples before ordering, as wallpaper can look very different in your home due to different lighting conditions.
- Are they insured? Most professional decorators carry public liability insurance and must have employers’ liability cover if they employ anyone.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see what feedback they have from other homeowners.
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FAQs
Can I hang wallpaper myself?
It is tempting to try to hang wallpaper by yourself, but unless you are confident in your decorating skills, it can be tricky to get right. If you don't correctly line up the wallpaper, or make lots of mistakes, you could end up using more rolls of paper to correct this. As wallpaper is expensive, you may save yourself money and stress by hiring a professional decorator to do the job properly.
How much extra wallpaper should I buy?
Measure your room carefully and order around 10% extra wallpaper to account for pattern matching and mistakes.
Can I wallpaper a room that's damp?
If walls are damp, you should find and resolve the source of the problem before hanging your wallpaper. Failing to address the problem beforehand can lead to peeling wallpaper and mould.
What tools and equipment are required to hang wallpaper?
If hanging traditional wallpaper yourself you will need a pasting table and bucket, a good pair of scissors, the wallpaper itself plus of course the paste, pasting brush and paper hanging brush. If removing old wallpaper then a steam stripper is recommended.
Do I need to line the walls before I wallpaper a room?
If the plaster is smooth and in good condition you can usually wallpaper straight on to it. A lot of decorators use lining paper because it hides small bumps, gives you an even surface and helps patterned wallpaper sit flatter. It adds a bit of time and cost but it does make the finish look much better.
