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myCost to Wallpaper a Room
At a Glance
- The average cost to wallpaper a room is £350.
- Most jobs take 1 to 2 days to complete.
- Wallpapering installation costs in 2026 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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£350
Table of Contents
How Much Does it Cost to Wallpaper a Room?
The average cost to wallpaper a room is around £350, although prices usually range from £120 to £750+ depending on the size of the area, wall condition, and whether old wallpaper needs removing first. A single feature wall is usually at the lower end of the scale, while larger rooms, awkward layouts, or patterned wallpaper increase labour time and cost.
Decorators usually charge around £100 to £150 per day for straightforward wallpapering jobs, although rates can be higher in London and the South East. You may also need to factor in wallpaper removal costs if stripping existing paper is required before new wallpaper is hung.
Which type of wallpaper are you planning on hanging?
Printed wallpaper
16 votes - 57%57% of votes
Linear wallpaper
0 votes - 0%0% of votes
Vinyl wallpaper
4 votes - 14%14% of votes
Woodchip wallpaper
2 votes - 7%7% of votes
Paste-the-wall wallpaper
6 votes - 21%21% of votes
28 votes
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As a guide, wallpaper hanging costs around £10 to £12 per m² for clean, prepared walls, rising to around £20 per m² when stripping and preparation are included. Wallpaper itself is usually priced separately and often costs £5 to £60 per roll, although premium designer papers can cost £100+ per roll.
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."
Wallpaper Installation Cost (Labour Only)
These wallpaper installation costs include labour and basic materials (paste, preparation) but exclude wallpaper costs. Wallpaper prices vary from £5 to £100+ per roll, depending on quality and design.
It typically costs £120 to £180 to wallpaper one wall when the surface is ready for new paper. Stripping old wallpaper or matching an intricate pattern will increase the price.
| Job | Timescale | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hang new wallpaper on a feature wall | 4 to 6 hours | £120–£180 |
| Hang new wallpaper in a small bedroom | 1 to 2 days | £300–£400 |
| Strip old wallpaper and hang new wallpaper in a small bedroom | 2 to 3 days | £500–£650 |
| Strip old wallpaper and hang new wallpaper in a large bedroom with a bay window | 3 to 4 days | £650–£750 |
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What sort of wallpaper is suitable for a bathroom?
"You can get 100% vinyl wall papers which are capable of withstanding bathroom moisture. Also ensure you use a good quality paste as specified by the wallpaper manufacturer."
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. For example, rooms with multiple windows, alcoves, or unique architectural features may require more time and effort to wallpaper.
If you are wallpapering a feature wall only, the cost will be lower than doing a whole room, but it might not be a quarter of the cost of papering four walls as preparation is still required and the wallpaper design may be more complicated for a feature wall only.
Here are some other factors that impact how much a decorator will charge to hang wallpaper:
Wall Condition
The condition of the walls will 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.
Prep such as lining and priming the wall might also add to the overall cost if not included in the initial quote.
If walls need filling, sanding, or lining before wallpapering, this can add another £50 to £150 depending on the condition of the plaster.
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.
I’m planning to wallpaper one feature wall and want to know roughly how long the job should take to complete.
"If the wall is already stripped and ready to go ahead professional decorator should complete the job within the day. If the old wallpaper/ woodchip needs to be removed then this would take an extra day."
Wallpaper Type
Heavily patterned wallpapers can be more expensive due to the complexity of matching the design and the amount of material needed. There might be more wasted paper with these types depending on how the pattern aligns with the wall dimensions.
The wallpaper material also has an impact here. Some speciality materials, like metallic or embossed wallpapers, may cost more than standard options and require a more knowledgeable and experienced decorator to install properly.
Location
As with many jobs, labour costs for wallpapering are usually higher in London and the South East. If you're looking for wallpaper installers near you, be prepared to pay more than the national average in these areas.
Additional Costs of Wallpapering
Additional wallpapering costs can include moving furniture, painting nearby woodwork, removing old paper, and repairing the surface underneath. Ask the decorator to list these items separately so you can see what the quote covers.
Moving Furniture and Finishing Work
Most painters and 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 and window frames, and ceilings (and the doors themselves if painted).
Wallpaper Removal
Removing existing wallpaper 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.
Removing wallpaper typically costs £80 to £150 for a single wall, and starts at around £300 for a 25m² room.
If the wallpaper removal pulls the plaster, the wall will then need filling or lining before it can be papered again.
How long does it take to strip wallpaper?
"Use warm soapy water and a good sharp stripping knife instead of a filling knife. Try taking the top layer off the wall dry before using the soapy water, then soak the backing paper, leave for a little while and it may just peel straight off."
Types of Wallpaper
There are many different types of paper, each with their own specific advantages and disadvantages. Our wallpaper hanging guide explains how to prepare for the job, while the main material options are compared below:
- Printed Wallpaper — Lots of choice and usually the cheapest to buy, but thin papers can tear when hanging and show up bad walls.
- Lining Paper — 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.
- Paste the Wall Wallpaper — Easier and cleaner to hang and take down, but rolls can cost more than basic paper.
How much does it cost to install silk wallpaper?
"In the UK, prices can range from £32 to £56 per square metre, including both materials and labour. For high-end installations, such as bespoke silk chinoiserie in a standard room (approximately 45-55 square metres), costs may be around £3,000 – £3,500 plus VAT."
Here is a comparison of the typical costs for each type of wallpaper, for the paper only (no fitting included):
| Wallpaper Type | Cost Per Roll | Typical Wallpaper Cost for a Medium Room |
|---|---|---|
| Printed wallpaper | £5–£20 | £25–£120 |
| Lining paper | £3–£10 | £15–£60 |
| Vinyl wallpaper | £10–£40 | £50–£240 |
| Woodchip wallpaper | £5–£15 | £25–£90 |
| Paste the wall wallpaper | £15–£50 | £75–£300 |
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What are some popular modern wallpaper designs to consider for creating a warm and relaxing living room environment?
"Papers with not too strong pattern but yet will blend in with the natural colours of the room. If it's going on a feature wall then it can be bold as the light natural colour that you choose to go with it will make it blend in but not too much as you don't enjoy the feature wall"
How Much Wallpaper Do I Need?
A medium room typically needs around 5 to 6 rolls of wallpaper. When buying wallpaper, how many rolls you need depends on the room size, roll coverage, pattern repeat, and the number of doors and windows. It's recommended to allow an extra 10% to account for pattern matching and mistakes.
Checklist: Hiring a Decorator to Hang Wallpaper in the UK
- 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.
How Long Should It Take to Wallpaper a Room?
It should take 1 to 2 days to wallpaper a typical bedroom, depending on the complexity of the design and the experience of the decorator. Allow extra time for large rooms, removing previous wallpaper, or intricate designs.
How Much Does It Cost to Wallpaper a Hall, Stairs and Landing?
Wallpapering a hall, stairs and landing usually costs £450 to £900, depending on the height of the stairwell, the amount of cutting around doors and bannisters, and whether old wallpaper needs removing first. This type of job often takes 2 to 4 days because awkward access and lots of corners make it slower than wallpapering a standard square room.
How Much Do Decorators Charge for Wallpapering?
Most decorators charge £100 to £150 per day for wallpapering, although rates can be higher in London and the South East. Some may quote by room size or by the roll instead, with wallpaper hanging typically working out at around £10 to £12 per m² for straightforward walls, or around £20 per m² if stripping old wallpaper is included.
