Taking measurements may not sound like a lot of fun, but it is very important that you do that before starting any project. Understanding how to properly measure a room can save both time and money. The tools to correctly measure a room are pretty basic. All you’ll need is a tape measure, pen and a calculator. Ideally you should choose a 8 or 10 meter tape measure.
How to Measure Area and Perimeter
(Length) x (Width) = Area
(Length) + (Width) x 2 = Perimeter
Rectangular and Square Rooms
If your room is a rectangle, this is as simple as measuring the length and width of your room and multiplying them together.
Therefore, if your room is 8 metres long and 4 metres wide, the area will be 32 metres square because 8 x 4 = 32.
Odd-Shaped or Irregular Rooms
While that calculation works wonders for rooms that are square or rectangular, what happens when you’re working with irregular spaces? So long as you keep a few key calculations in mind, you’ll find the process is just as painless as you had hoped.
If your room isn’t rectangular, we recommend splitting it into rectangular sections. Multiply the width and length of each rectangle together to find the area. Then, add the areas of each rectangle together to find the total area. If you have an L shaped room, for example, this can be split into 2 rectangles.
And if you’ve got a complicated room, this method still works. Simply split the room into as many rectangles as needed. Separate complex areas or nooks into separate areas that can be measured separately from the rest of the room. Multiply the length and width of each rectangle to find the areas, then add them all together to find the total area.
However, this method of measuring a room will not work to estimate the area of walls or wall coverings. Estimating for drywall, paint, panelling or wallpaper will require a slightly different method of measuring.
How to Measure Walls for Paint or Wallpaper
To accurately measure a room for wall coverings we will use the length of the wall, and the height to the ceiling.
The formula will be similar to before. Use the standard formula of (Length) x (Width) = Area.
Next, use the same formula to record the individual area of doors and windows. Once you have all of these measurements down, subtract the area of the doors and windows from the total area of the wall.
This will help you calculate how much paint or wallpaper you need for a room without having lots of excess materials when you're finished.
Measuring Tips
- Get a friend to help use the take measurements. You’ll get better measurements when there’s another person there to hold the tape straight.
- Make sure there are no obstructions or obstacles that'll throw your measurements off.
- Be sure to measure additional infrastructure features. Shelves, cabinets, and other built-in components of the room should get factored into your measuring process.
- Include a buffer of about 15% when purchasing materials
Once you are done with the measurement you can start choosing vanities for bathrooms, bathroom bathtubs, mirror cabinets, and study desks. At KOAST, we offer a mind-blowing range of products to fit any sized space and suit any taste.