Wallpaper and decorating showroom
Open a small local shop where homeowners browse wallpaper books and trade decorators pick up rolls and supplies.
- A$30k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small retail shop with wallpaper sample books, rolls in stock or on order, and decorating supplies such as paste, brushes and smoothers. You give advice on quantities, patterns and the right product for each wall.
Your first three steps
- Set up accounts with a few Australian wallpaper suppliers and ask about sample books, minimum orders and trade terms
- Look at small retail units in a renovation-friendly area and check lease terms, foot traffic and rent against your sales estimates
- Talk to local painters, decorators and interior designers about trade pricing before you open
Who pays
Local homeowners renovating, interior-minded renters, and trade decorators and painters buying regularly.
How it makes money
Retail margin on wallpaper and supplies, special orders from catalogues, and trade accounts with discounts for repeat buyers.
Skills that help
- Customer service and advice
- Eye for colour and design
- Stock ordering and basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Lease terms, rent reviews and fit-out costs, get advice before signing
- Check with your local council about any approvals needed to trade from the premises
- Public liability insurance, plus workers compensation insurance once you hire (state schemes)
- Slow-moving stock and discontinued patterns tying up cash, order carefully
- Register an ABN and check when GST registration is required
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: wallpaper and decorating showroom
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a wallpaper shop in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and opening stock of sample books and supplies. These are estimates, so get advice on lease terms before signing.
How much can a wallpaper and decorating shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, range and how many trade decorators buy regularly. The estimates start from about 35 hours of work a week.
What should I check before opening a wallpaper shop?
Check lease terms, rent reviews and fit-out costs, and ask your local council about any approvals needed to trade from the premises. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, ABN and GST registration, and how to avoid slow-moving stock.
Other ways to run this business
Similar retail ideas
Maternity and nursing boutique shop
Open a small local shop where expectant mums can try on maternity and nursing clothes and get friendly advice.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Children's furniture shop with a showroom
Open a small shop where parents can see, touch and try kids' beds, cots and desks before they buy.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local rug and floor covering shop
Open a small shop where homeowners and designers can see, feel and get advice on rugs for their space.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Model railway shop with a shopfront
Open a small hobby shop where modellers browse, get advice and order, backed up by online sales.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local cricket shop
Open a small shop near clubs and grounds selling gear, fitting pads and preparing bats.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Footwear wholesaler with stock room
Hold a wider range in a small unit and supply shops and online sellers with fast reorders.
- A$20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises