How to Match Wallpaper to Your Space: Expert Tips for Perfect Harmony in Every Room
July 3, 2025 – Esther D'Amico
How match wallpaper and curtains
Pairing wallpaper and curtains creates a cohesive look when the design elements support each other. Similar undertones in both materials anchor the scheme, for example, taupe wallpaper and curtains with a hint of grey. Repeating patterns or motifs, such as florals or stripes, in both wallpaper and curtains links the elements visually.
Textures strengthen the connection between wallpaper and curtains. Matte wallpaper pairs well with linen or cotton curtains, while metallic wallpaper complements silk or velvet fabrics. Balancing pattern scale prevents visual competition; for instance, large floral wallpaper sits comfortably with plain curtains or subtle weaves.
Colour coordination ties the room together. Choosing curtains in a colour found within the wallpaper, such as navy in a geometric print, fosters unity. Alternatively, neutral curtains reduce noise when wallpaper has bold colours or complex patterns.
Light management affects the perception of wallpaper and curtains. Semi-sheer curtains filter daylight, highlighting wallpaper texture and pattern. Blackout curtains suit rooms with vivid wallpapers in bedrooms or media spaces.
Sample testing reveals interactions in various light conditions. Hanging swatches side-by-side ensures the hues and textures align in natural and artificial lighting, confirming the overall aesthetic before making final choices.
| Pairing Element | Example (Wallpaper + Curtain) | Design Principle |
|---|---|---|
| Undertone | Taupe with grey undertone | Cohesion |
| Pattern linkage | Floral wallpaper + floral curtains | Visual connection |
| Texture match | Matte paper + linen curtains | Harmony |
| Scale balancing | Bold wallpaper + plain curtains | Reduced competition |
| Colour unification | Navy in print + navy curtain | Unity |
| Light consideration | Semi-sheer with textured wallpaper | Accentuates texture & pattern |
How to match wallpaper to upholstery
Selecting wallpaper that complements upholstery establishes cohesion in any space. We assess the dominant tones in sofas, armchairs or ottomans, examples include deep navy, slate grey or mustard yellow and identify whether they’re warm or cool. Luxury wallpaper with undertones matching these hues strengthens unity. Our upholstery fabrics will be coming soon...
We consider the scale and density of both wallpaper and upholstery patterns. If upholstery displays intricate prints such as florals or geometrics, we use subtle or solid wallpaper. For plain upholstery in linen or cotton, we may introduce bold patterns or textured wallpaper, like damask or silk-embossed options.
Repeating motifs between wallpaper and upholstery, choosing similar shapes or themes, such as botanicals or art-deco lines creates a link without matching every element exactly.
Do it your way and be brave when experimenting, if you are not a professional interior designer you will still have your own taste, trust that and see what works for you.
Textures add depth: woven upholstery (boucle, tweed) pairs with matte or grasscloth wallpaper, while velvet upholstery and metallic or foiled wallpaper boost opulence.
Contrasts bring balance. Wallpapers with complementary but not identical colours, blush upholstery with sage wallpaper, for instance adds interest.
How to match wallpaper to antiques
Pairing wallpaper with antiques enriches both the objects and the room’s design narrative. We consider wood tones, carving details and period influences. Mahogany sideboards and walnut chairs complement damask, chinoiserie or paisley wallpapers referencing 18th–19th-century design. Earthy hues, ochre, sage and indigo harmonise with surfaces which have patina.
Repeating motifs from antiques on wallpaper strengthens continuity, Victorian florals with botanical papers, geometric Art Deco pieces with structured prints. Understated antiques often suit bold wallpapers; ornate antiques pair better with subtle options like grass-cloth.
Pattern scale depends on furniture density: sparse rooms handle large prints; crowded rooms call for small or plain designs. Sampling next to antiques in situ ensures undertone harmony.
| Element | Antiques Example | Wallpaper Match Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wood tone | Mahogany, walnut | Ochre damask, burgundy baroque |
| Motif | Chinoiserie, florals | Botanical, chinoiserie prints |
| Era | Victorian, Art Deco | Classical, geometric wallpaper |
| Surface | Gilded, lacquered | Metallic-finish, silk wallpaper |
| Detail level | Ornate carvings | Subtle grass-cloth, plain linen |
Matching wallpaper to antiques enhances historical depth and creates cohesive schemes anchored by the room’s unique assets.
How to match wallpaper and bedding
Colour undertones – Align wallpaper and bedding undertones for flow. Soft blush wallpaper pairs with blush bedding; avoid jarring contrasts unless deliberately dramatic, be deliberately dramatic if that is who you are, pastels in bedrooms is not the only way to go, express yourself fully in the privacy of your own home.
Pattern relationships – Geometric wallpaper suits bedding with crisp lines; floral wallpaper matches stylised botanicals. Balancing large wall patterns with subtle bedding prints can work well.
Texture harmony – Grasscloth wallpaper complements linen bedding; satin wallpaper coordinates with silk or sateen bedding. Our Okoronkwo and Tomboy Tezza sil satin wallpapers are incredibly luxurious for bedrooms and go well with soft leathers and modernist finishes.
Layering & accents – Echo wallpaper colours in cushions and throws for unity.
Lighting effects – Test combinations in both daylight and artificial light to keep hues cohesive throughout the day.
How to pair wallpaper with paint
Paint can highlight architectural details or create seamless transitions. Choose shades that echo wallpaper undertones or pick out an accent colour within the pattern for balance. House of Londinium always test paint samples beside wallpapers as we design in varied lighting to ensure harmony. With thoughtful choices, wallpaper and paint together deliver a cohesive, personalised environment.