How to Calculate Wallpaper Area in Korea: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Calculate Wallpaper Area in Korea: A Beginner’s Guide

If you are living in Korea and planning to replace the wallpaper in your apartment, villa, office, or rented room, the first step is to calculate the actual wall area.

In Korea, wallpaper installation is commonly called “dobae” (도배). Contractors may discuss the size of a home in pyeong (평), while room measurements are usually taken in meters.

This guide explains how to calculate wallpaper area using a simple method commonly used at Korean interior construction sites.

Basic wallpaper area formula

For a rectangular room, use the following formula:

(Room length + room width) × 2 × wall height

This gives you the total area of the four walls.

After calculating the wall area, subtract any spaces that will not be wallpapered, such as:

• Doors
• Windows
• Built-in wardrobes
• Large fixed cabinets
• Walls covered with other materials

Example calculation

Suppose a room has the following measurements:

• Length: 4 meters
• Width: 3 meters
• Wall height: 2.3 meters

First, calculate the perimeter of the room.

(4 + 3) × 2 = 14 meters

Next, multiply the perimeter by the wall height.

14 × 2.3 = 32.2 square meters

The total wall area is 32.2㎡.

Now subtract the door and window areas.

For example:

• Door: 0.9m × 2.1m = 1.89㎡
• Window: 1.5m × 1.2m = 1.8㎡

The final wallpaper area is:

32.2 − 1.89 − 1.8 = 28.51㎡

Therefore, the actual wallpaper area is approximately 28.5 square meters.

Converting square meters into pyeong

In Korea, construction estimates are often explained using pyeong.

The conversion formula is:

Square meters ÷ 3.3058 = pyeong

Using the example above:

28.51 ÷ 3.3058 = approximately 8.62 pyeong

The wall area is therefore approximately 8.6 pyeong.

Please note that the pyeong used for wallpaper estimates may not be the same as the advertised floor size of an apartment. A 24-pyeong apartment does not mean that the wallpaper area is only 24 pyeong.

Wallpaper calculations are based on the total wall and ceiling surfaces that need to be covered.

Should doors and windows always be excluded?

For accurate measurements, doors and windows should normally be subtracted because wallpaper is not installed on those surfaces.

However, contractors may include a small additional allowance for:

• Cutting loss
• Pattern matching
• Damaged materials
• Corners and uneven walls
• Extra material for future repairs

For this reason, the amount of wallpaper ordered may be slightly higher than the calculated area.

Should the ceiling be included?

The basic calculation above covers only the walls.

When the ceiling will also be wallpapered, calculate it separately:

Room length × room width

For a room measuring 4m × 3m:

4 × 3 = 12㎡

Add the ceiling area to the wall area:

28.51 + 12 = 40.51㎡

The total wallpaper area, including the ceiling, is approximately 40.5㎡.

Common wallpaper terms used in Korea

Foreign residents may hear the following Korean terms when asking for an estimate:

• 도배: Wallpaper installation
• 장판: Vinyl flooring
• 합지벽지: Paper-based wallpaper
• 실크벽지: Vinyl-coated wallpaper
• 천장: Ceiling
• 실측: On-site measurement
• 견적: Estimate or quotation
• 평: Korean area unit
• 자재비: Material cost
• 인건비: Labor cost

Knowing these terms can make it easier to communicate with Korean contractors.

Important points before requesting an estimate

Before contacting a wallpaper contractor in Korea, prepare the following information:

• Apartment or room location
• Room length and width
• Ceiling height
• Number of rooms
• Number and size of windows
• Number and size of doors
• Whether the ceiling is included
• Type of wallpaper
• Whether the home is occupied or empty
• Whether existing wallpaper must be removed

An empty apartment is often easier to work in than an occupied home. Furniture moving, wall repairs, mold treatment, and old wallpaper removal may increase the total cost.

Final advice

Calculating wallpaper area is not difficult once you understand the basic formula.

Measure the room perimeter, multiply it by the wall height, and subtract doors, windows, and other areas that will not be covered.

For a more accurate quotation, it is still recommended to request an on-site measurement from an experienced contractor.

This blog provides practical information about wallpaper installation, flooring, measurements, estimates, and interior construction for both Korean residents and foreigners living in Korea.