Wallpaper & Wallcovering
Wallpaper Cost in Singapore: Pricing Guide and Tips
Understanding wallpaper cost in Singapore helps you budget accurately for your renovation and avoid surprises. Wallpaper prices vary widely depending on the material, brand, design complexity and installation requirements — and the total cost includes more than just the roll price.
This guide breaks down wallpaper pricing in Singapore, covering material costs, labour charges, additional expenses and tips for getting the best value.
Wallpaper Material Cost Breakdown
Wallpaper is priced per roll in Singapore, with standard rolls measuring approximately 0.53 m wide by 10 m long (covering roughly 5 square metres or 53 square feet before accounting for pattern matching and waste).
| Wallpaper Type | Price Per Roll | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| PVC / Vinyl | $30 – $80 | Durable, moisture-resistant, easy to clean |
| Non-woven | $50 – $150 | Breathable, easy to install and remove |
| Textured vinyl | $60 – $180 | Adds depth, hides wall imperfections |
| Natural fibre (grasscloth, jute) | $100 – $300 | Organic texture, premium look |
| Designer / imported | $150 – $500+ | Unique designs, premium brands |
| Commercial-grade wallcovering | $80 – $250 | Fire-rated, high durability for offices and hospitality |
Wide-width rolls (1.06 m) are also available and cover approximately 10 square metres per roll. They require fewer seams but demand more skill during installation.
How Many Rolls Do You Need?
Calculating the number of rolls required involves measuring the wall area and accounting for pattern repeat and waste.
Basic Calculation
- Measure the total width of all walls to be covered (in metres).
- Multiply by the wall height (typically 2.6-2.8 m in Singapore homes).
- Subtract window and door openings.
- Divide the result by the usable coverage per roll (approximately 4.5 sq m for a standard roll, accounting for waste).
- Round up to the nearest whole number.
Pattern Repeat Factor
Wallpapers with large pattern repeats (the distance between identical points in the design) generate more waste because each strip must be aligned. A pattern repeat of 50 cm or more can increase material requirements by 15-25 percent. Plain or small-pattern wallpapers waste less material.
Example Estimate
For a typical HDB master bedroom with approximately 30 square metres of wall area (excluding windows and doors), you would need 7-8 standard rolls of plain wallpaper or 8-10 rolls of wallpaper with a large pattern repeat.
Installation Cost
Professional wallpaper installation in Singapore is typically charged per roll or per square foot.
- Installation per roll: $15 – $40 per roll for standard wallpaper.
- Installation per square foot: $1 – $3 per square foot.
- Removal of old wallpaper: $1 – $2.50 per square foot, depending on the type and adhesion.
- Wall preparation (skim coating): $2 – $5 per square foot if walls are uneven or damaged.
Complex installations — high ceilings, stairwell walls, curved surfaces — command higher labour rates due to the additional time and skill required.
Total Cost Estimates by Room
| Room | Approx. Wall Area | Material Cost (mid-range) | Installation Cost | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature wall (single wall) | 8-10 sq m | $60 – $300 | $30 – $80 | $90 – $380 |
| Bedroom (all walls) | 25-35 sq m | $350 – $1,200 | $120 – $320 | $470 – $1,520 |
| Living room (all walls) | 35-50 sq m | $500 – $1,800 | $180 – $500 | $680 – $2,300 |
| Whole HDB flat (4-room) | 120-150 sq m | $1,500 – $5,000 | $500 – $1,500 | $2,000 – $6,500 |
These estimates use mid-range wallpaper pricing. Premium designer collections or natural fibre wallcoverings will increase the material cost significantly.
Factors That Affect Wallpaper Cost
Material Quality
Higher-quality wallpaper and wallcoverings cost more upfront but often last longer, resist fading better and provide a superior finish. Commercial-grade wallcoverings, while pricier, are designed for durability in high-traffic environments and can be a cost-effective choice for busy households.
Brand and Origin
Imported wallpapers from European and Japanese mills tend to cost more than regionally manufactured options. The premium reflects design exclusivity, colour accuracy and material quality.
Wall Condition
Walls that require significant preparation — filling holes, skim coating, removing old wallpaper or treating damp — add to the total project cost. New BTO flats and freshly plastered walls generally require less preparation than older resale flats.
Ceiling Height
Standard Singapore ceiling heights are 2.6-2.8 m. Higher ceilings in some condominiums and landed properties (3 m or more) increase both material requirements and installation time.
Access Difficulty
Feature walls behind large furniture, stairwell walls and areas requiring scaffolding cost more to install due to additional labour time and equipment requirements.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Feature walls: Rather than wallpapering an entire room, use wallpaper on a single feature wall and paint the remaining walls in a complementary colour. This dramatically reduces material costs while still creating visual impact.
- Plain or small patterns: Wallpapers with minimal pattern repeat generate less waste during installation, reducing the number of rolls needed.
- Standard-width rolls: Wide-width rolls reduce seams and can be faster to install, but they require more skilled labour. Standard-width rolls offer a good balance of cost and ease of installation.
- Proper wall prep: Investing in good wall preparation prevents premature peeling and bubbling, avoiding costly reinstallation.
- Buy from established suppliers: Reputable suppliers offer consistent quality, accurate colour matching across rolls and reliable availability for future repairs.
Wallpaper vs Paint: Cost Comparison
Many homeowners weigh wallpaper against paint. Here is how they compare financially.
- Upfront cost: Paint is typically less expensive upfront. A full room of quality paint costs $200-$600 including labour, compared to $500-$2,000+ for wallpaper.
- Longevity: Quality wallpaper lasts 10-15 years before needing replacement. Paint typically needs refreshing every 3-5 years.
- Design impact: Wallpaper offers textures, patterns and visual effects that paint alone cannot achieve.
- 10-year cost: Over a decade, wallpaper’s longer lifespan can make it comparable to or more affordable than repeated repainting.
Final Thoughts
Wallpaper cost in Singapore depends on material choice, room size, wall condition and installation complexity. By understanding these factors and planning strategically — whether through feature walls, smart material selection or proper preparation — you can achieve a stunning interior within your budget.
Goodrich Global offers one of the largest wallpaper collections in Singapore, spanning affordable to premium ranges. Our consultants can help you select the right product for your space and budget.
