If you’re considering wallpaper for your home or office, your first question will probably be: how much will wallpaper cost in South Africa?
The short answer is that wallpaper cost can vary quite a bit. As a general guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from around R280 per square metre for basic wallpaper designs to R1,500 per square metre or more for premium wallpapers and custom wall murals.
For most homeowners, a feature wall in a bedroom or lounge is often more affordable than they initially expect. Smaller projects may cost as little as R1,500, while larger rooms, designer wallpapers and custom murals can run into several thousand Rand.
The final cost will depend on a number of factors, including the type of wallpaper you choose, the size of the wall, the complexity of the design and whether professional installation is required, so it all depends on your taste and budget in the end.
In this guide we cover:
- Average wallpaper costs in South Africa
- What affects wallpaper pricing
- Wallpaper installation costs
- Wallpaper vs paint costs
- Whether wallpaper is worth the investment
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
What is Wallpaper?
Wallpaper has come a long way over the years. Gone are the days when it was limited to a handful of patterns and colours.
Today, wallpaper is one of the most exciting ways to transform a room. Whether you’re creating a feature wall behind a bed, adding colour and interest to a living room or branding an office space, wallpaper offers a level of visual impact that’s difficult to achieve with paint alone.
Modern wallpaper is available in many different styles, textures and finishes. Choose from subtle neutral colours and textures; bold botanical prints; paintable wallpapers that cover up a multitude of wall imperfections or select your favourite vista and have it custom printed.
Wallpaper is a quick way to transform a space without making any permanent changes as it is easy to remove without causing any damage to the wall underneath.
Average Wallpaper Cost in South Africa
Wallpaper pricing varies depending on the quality of the material, the design and the supplier.
Mass produced wallpaper comes in rolls that are usually around 10m long. Depending on the height of the wall and the type of pattern match that is needed, they will generally cover around 5m².
The table below provides a rough guide to what you can expect to pay for the wallpaper only.
Wallpaper Type | Typical Cost |
Budget Wallpaper | R400 – R500 per roll |
Premium Wallpaper | R1,000 – R2,000 per roll |
Designer Wallpaper | R2,500 plus per roll |
Custom Wall Murals | R690 – R1,400 per m² |
If you are looking to keep costs down, a good option is to cover one “feature” wall, rather than the whole room. And for custom designed wallpaper, if you can find a suitable high-resolution picture on one of the stock photo sites, this can be much more cost effective than getting an image designed from scratch.
What Factors Affect Wallpaper Cost in South Africa?
No two wallpaper projects are exactly the same, which is why pricing varies so much.
Here are the main factors that influence the final cost:
- Wallpaper Material
Mass produced wallpapers from retail outlets are generally the cheapest option but can come at the cost of quality and choice. Premium vinyl wallpapers, textured finishes and designer or custom-made products will cost more. Bear in mind that higher-quality wallpapers are likely to be more durable, easier to clean and look more premium in your home.
- Wall Size and Shape
This may seem obvious, but the size of the area you are looking to cover has a significant impact on cost. The larger the wall, the more wallpaper you’ll need. You will also need to make allowances for pattern matches, particularly around windows and door frames. We are happy to help you with these calculations.
- Design Complexity
Wallpaper manufacturers will spread the cost of the design across the many rolls of wallpaper that they produce, thus reducing the design cost per roll. If you get your own, custom designed wallpaper, the designer’s time will come on top of the printing and installation costs.
- Installation Requirements
If you are handy, and enjoy a DIY project, wallpaper is relatively easy to install yourself as a way of saving costs, particularly if you have a single, flat wall to cover. If there are windows and door frames, or unusual shapes involved, you might be better off using a qualified installer.
Wallpaper Cost in South Africa - Installation
Professional wallpaper installation typically costs between R175 and R350 per square meter, excluding VAT. The following may affect the overall installation costs:
- Walls in poor condition that need filling or sanding prior to installation.
- Call out fees from the installer’s base.
- Removal of existing wallpaper.
- Complex installations requiring lots of cutting.
- The size of the project.
- The type of wallpaper being installed.
If all of this concerns you, we are able to handle the full installation for you at Stickythings to take away any hassle and worry from the process.
Wallpaper vs Paint: Which Is More Cost Effective?
Painting a wall will almost always work out cheaper than installing wallpaper, however the level of choice and impact in a room differs immensely. Here is a summary of the key differences between paint and wallpaper:
Feature | Wallpaper | Paint |
Initial Cost | Higher | Lower |
Design Options | Extensive | Limited |
Cover minor wall imperfections | Yes | No |
Visual Impact | High | Moderate |
Is Wallpaper Worth the Cost?
Of course the answer to this question depends on your personal preferences and overall budget, but wallpaper will instantly transform your room with very little mess or fuss. You will be surprised by what a difference even a single feature wall can make.
The best rooms to use wallpaper in:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Nurseries
- Home offices
- Commercial spaces
When quality materials are used and installed correctly, wallpaper can continue looking great for many years, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.
Common Wallpaper Buying Mistakes
Before ordering wallpaper, it’s worth being aware of a few common mistakes.
- Choosing Based on Price Alone
It can be tempting to select the cheapest option available, but lower-quality wallpaper may not provide the durability or finish you’re looking for. In many cases, spending slightly more upfront results in a better-looking installation that lasts significantly longer.
- Not allowing for pattern matches
Customers will often order less wallpaper than they need because they have not made allowances for pattern matching and wastage. No two batches of wallpaper are ever exactly the same, so we strongly recommend ordering more than you need, rather than having to take stock from a different batch at a later stage. We are happy for you to return any unopened rolls as long as it is within 2 weeks of delivery.
- Insufficient Wall Preparation
Walls need to be correctly prepared before installing wallpaper. We recommend the following:
- Allow fresh paint to dry for at least a week before installing your wallpaper. Newly plastered walls will take longer than this to dry sufficiently.
- Sand down any bumps and fill any large cracks in the wall.
- For very shiny surfaces, it is advisable to roughly sand so the wallpaper paste can grip the wall better.
- Wipe down all walls with a damp cloth to remove dust and objects that might get stuck in the glue.
- Choosing the Wrong Wallpaper for the Space
Bathrooms, kitchens and areas with heavy traffic often benefit from more durable, washable wallpaper options.
Bold patterns and colours can be overwhelming in smaller, darker rooms – in these cases, it is best to go with a feature wall rather than papering the full room.
Wallpaper Cost Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does wallpaper cost in South Africa per square metre?
Wallpaper generally costs between R100 and R1,500+ per square metre, depending on the quality, material and design selected.
- Is wallpaper more expensive than paint?
Wallpaper tends to cost more upfront, but it often lasts longer and has much more impact than paint.
- How long does wallpaper last?
Quality wallpaper can last up to 15 years or when properly installed and not in direct sunlight.
- Can wallpaper be installed over painted walls?
Wallpaper can be applied on painted walls provided the surface is clean, dry and in good condition.
- Is wallpaper suitable for bathrooms?
Many modern vinyl wallpapers are able to handle moisture and humidity, making them suitable for bathrooms and kitchens. Wallpaper should not be installed where there is a risk of it getting splashed or wet (eg above taps or in a shower).
- Can wallpaper be removed without damaging the wall?
Wallpaper can be easily removed by soaking it first. Provided that it is installed on firm, dry surfaces, it will not damage the wall when it is removed.
- What is the difference between wallpaper and a wall mural?
Wallpaper comes in rolls which consist of a pattern that repeats over a set space, while a wall mural is a single large-scale image designed to create a feature wall.
- Do I need professional installation?
If you are handy and enjoy DIY projects, most wallpapers can be installed without a professional installer, particularly if there are no windows or door frames involved.
For even more FAQ’s, check out our comprehensive list here.
Final Thoughts
Wallpaper is a quick and easy way to significantly transform a room.
Whether you’re looking to create a striking feature wall, refresh a bedroom or completely transform a living space, wallpaper offers one of the simplest ways to make a dramatic difference.
If you’re exploring wallpaper options, we are happy to help you choose the right option for you; work out how much you need, and if you don’t want to install yourself, we can help you with installation.
