How much area does 1 liter of paint cover?

One liter of paint typically covers about 6-8 square meters per coat, depending on the paint type and surface texture. Two coats are recommended for best results, so plan for about 3-4 sq meters per liter in practice.

How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?

A standard Korean wallpaper roll (실크벽지) is 1.06m wide and about 15.6m long, covering roughly 5 pyeong (16.5 sq meters) of wall area. Count your walls, subtract windows and doors, and divide by the roll coverage.

Is it cheaper to paint or wallpaper in Korea?

Paint is generally cheaper for materials (about 30,000-50,000 won for a room) but requires more labor. Korean-style wallpaper (도배) is the traditional choice and typically costs 150,000-300,000 won per room including installation. Most Korean apartments use wallpaper.

🔍

Daily

Paint Calculator

Calculate paint and wallpaper needed for your room.

1Type

2Room Dimensions

Width (m)

Length (m)

Ceiling Height (m)

Doors

Windows

Number of Coats

Room Size

13.2

sq m (4.0 pyeong/평)

Wall Area

31.5

sq m (net)

Paint Needed

11.2

liters (2 coats)

Total Area

44.7

sq m (walls + ceiling)

Estimated Cost

18L cans needed1 cans (~45,000 won)

4L cans needed3 cans (~54,000 won)

🎨 Painting Tips for Korean Apartments

Paint vs wallpaper: Most Korean apartments (아파트) come with wallpaper (벽지) rather than paint. When moving into a new place, landlords often include a fresh wallpaper installation (도배) as part of the move-in process. Painting over wallpaper is possible but requires primer.

Where to buy paint: Large home improvement stores like E-Mart Living (이마트 리빙) and Homeplus carry paint supplies. For budget options, Daiso (다이소) sells small paint cans and basic supplies. Online stores like Coupang (쿠팡) offer the widest selection with next-day delivery.

Surface preparation: Clean walls with a damp cloth and let them dry completely. Fill any holes or cracks with wall putty (벽면 보수제). Apply painter's tape (마스킹 테이프) around edges, outlets, and fixtures. Use a drop cloth to protect ondol floors (온돌 바닥).

Korean apartment specifics: Standard ceiling height in Korean apartments is 2.3-2.5m. Walls are typically concrete with wallpaper, so you may need a concrete primer if painting directly on the wall. Be mindful of ventilation — Korean apartments tend to have ondol (underfloor heating) which can affect drying time in winter.

📋 Wallpaper (도배) Guide

Types of Korean wallpaper: Silk wallpaper (실크벽지) is the most common and affordable option. It's not actual silk but a PVC-coated paper with a smooth finish. Natural wallpaper (합지벽지) is made from mixed paper pulp and is more breathable but less durable. Premium options include fabric wallpaper (천벽지) and eco-friendly options.

Hiring a professional: In Korea, wallpaper installation is almost always done by professionals (도배사). Search "도배" on local service apps like Soomgo (숨고) or Miso (미소). Typical cost is 150,000-300,000 won per room including materials. Full apartment 도배 for a 25-pyeong place costs about 800,000-1,500,000 won.

DIY considerations: DIY wallpapering is uncommon in Korea, but if you want to try, buy pre-pasted wallpaper (풀바른 벽지) for easier application. You'll need a smoothing brush, utility knife, and a level. Practice on a small area first. Most Korean hardware stores can cut wallpaper to size.