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Slat wall panels have quickly become a favorite for homeowners and designers looking to add function and style to interiors. Whether you’re outfitting a music studio, garage, office, living room, or retail space, slat walls provide a clean, modern aesthetic while maximizing wall functionality for storage, sound diffusion, or design texture. Before you make the leap and purchase panels, it’s essential to know how to measure your space accurately and determine how many panels you’ll need. Let’s walk through the entire process, including room-specific tips for common slat wall application.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Installing slat wall panels without a clear measurement plan can lead to misaligned panels, wasted materials, and unnecessary expenses. Proper planning ensures seamless installation, complete wall coverage, and a professional look.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin measuring, gather the following:

• A tape measure (ideally 25 feet or longer)
  
  
• A notepad or digital notes app
  
  
• A calculator
  
  
• Graph paper or a simple drawing app for sketching layouts
  
  

Step 1: Measure the Wall Area

Start by measuring the height and width of the wall or section of the wall you want to cover with slat wall panels.

Formula to remember:
Wall Area (sq. ft.) = Height (ft.) x Width (ft.)

Example:
If your wall is 8 feet high and 10 feet wide, the area is 80 square feet.

Step 2: Understand Panel Dimensions

Our slat wall panels come in two lengths:

• 94.49” (15.67 Sq Ft per box, 2 panels per box, each panel is 12” wide, each box covers 24” in width)

• 106.30” (17.72 Sq Ft per box, 2 panels per box, each panel is 12” wide, each box covers 24” in width)
  
  

Understanding the dimensions ahead of time ensures you order the right amount of product and helps streamline both planning and installation for a seamless final look.

Step 3: Calculate How Many Panels You Need

Here’s how to measure for vertical installation. (Hanging the panels horizontally will be a slightly different measuring process)

If the wall height is 94.49” or less, use the 94.49” panel lengths.  If over 94.49”, but less than or equal to 106.30” use 106.30” lengths.

If your wall height measurement is over 106.30”, you will need to plan for seams. 

Note: If there is trim and the panel will not be installed where the trim is, don’t include it in the height measurement. 

Take the width measurement in inches and divide by 24.  If you have multiple walls, add the wall totals together.  It’s also recommended to add 10% to this calculation for miscuts or to give you a little flexibility with the panel placements. You can do this by multiplying your wall measurement totals by 1.10, then round up to the nearest whole number.  This will give you the number of boxes you will need to order including the extra 10%.  

Step 4: Account for Room-Specific Considerations

Music Studio or Podcast Room

• Goal: Acoustic enhancement and aesthetic appeal
  
  
• Tips: Measure only the sections where sound diffusion is needed (usually behind monitors or alongside walls). The panels can be used in smaller sections where sound diffusion is needed such as behind studio monitors, along sidewalls to reduce early reflections, or even on the rear wall to break up standing waves.
  
  
• Extra Tip: For the ultimate sound absorption consider installing battens on the wall with mineral wood in between the battens, then install the Acoustic Slat wall paneling.  Here’s a website that talks about this for reference for writing this blog.
  
  

Living Room or Entryway Feature Wall

• Goal: Visual design or texture
  
  
• Tips: In residential settings, slat panels are often used as decorative accents—either to create a full accent wall or to highlight a specific area, so measure only the space you plan to cover.
  
  
• Extra Tip: Consider panel orientation. Vertical panels make ceilings feel taller, while horizontal panels can widen a narrow room.
  
  

Closet or Pantry

• Goal: Add visual interest and break up shelving in storage areas.
  
  
• Tips: Measure all usable vertical wall space, but exclude areas where doors swing open or shelving units are fixed.
  
  
• Extra Tip: Use contrasting panel colors or finishes to define zones—for example, lighter panels near frequently used items to draw the eye and create a sense of organization.

Step 5: Layout and Planning

Once you have your total count:

• Sketch your layout on paper or with design software
  
  
• Note the orientation (vertical or horizontal)
  
  
• Identify any obstacles like outlets, windows, or vents that may require panel cuts

Planning your layout in advance can save time during installation and help you determine if you need additional materials like trim pieces or mounting hardware.

Purchasing Slat Wall Panels

Once you’ve measured your space and calculated exactly how many slat wall panels you need, purchasing them is easy through JThomas Home. Simply visit our Slat Wall Panels Section to browse our wide selection of handcrafted wood slat wall panels, available in various finishes, sizes, and styles to match your décor. With made-to-order options and clear ordering instructions, we make it simple to turn your measurements into a beautifully customized feature wall.