PATTERN GUIDE

How to Choose the Perfect Wallcovering Pattern

Not sure where to begin when selecting wallpaper? This guide breaks down how to choose patterns that suit your room's light, style, and mood--so each wall tells a story that feels personal and timeless.

Choosing a wallpaper pattern is about so much more than adding something pretty to your walls—it is a thoughtful way to shift how a room feels, functions, and tells your story in an instant.

The right pattern can soften hard lines, add quiet energy, or become a gentle focal point that transforms the space every time you walk in.

Have you chosen the colors of your room yet?

If not, head to this color guide first to explore suggestions for your space before you begin considering patterns.

COLOR TRENDS OF 2026

Pattern Density: Airy vs Full

Pattern density is about how much “breathing room” there is between the motifs and how much background shows through. Airy, open patterns feel lighter and are ideal when a room already has a lot of visual interest in textiles or decor. Denser, more closely packed patterns feel cozy and work well in smaller spaces like reading nooks, powder rooms, or a single accent wall.

Small-Scale Patterns: Soft, Textural Backdrops

Small-scale patterns are made up of petite, repeated motifs that read almost like texture from a distance. These offer a gentle, understated backdrop that supports the room instead of stealing the show. Best for bedrooms, home offices, hallways, or spaces where there are already bolder fabrics and art.

Large-Scale Patterns: Bold, Gestural Statements

Large-scale patterns feature bigger motifs and wider repeats, so each element is more legible and graphic on the wall. They’re ideal when you want the wallpaper itself to be the focal point—on an entry wall, behind a bed, in a dining room, or in a small powder room. Larger patterns can create a dramatic and expansive feel with more energy. PRO TIP: pair this wallpaper with simpler furniture and quieter textiles in the rest of the room.

Simple Designs: Quiet, Grounding Patterns

Simple designs use fewer lines, shapes, or color shifts, which makes them feel calm and easy to live with. They’re a beautiful choice for rooms where you spend a lot of time and want visual rest—living rooms, family spaces, primary bedrooms, or open-concept areas.

Intricate Designs: Story-Rich, Detailed Walls

Intricate patterns are filled with detail—interlacing lines, layered motifs, or rich botanicals that invite you to look closer. They shine in spaces where you want a sense of discovery or intimacy, such as powder rooms, reading corners, dining rooms, and feature walls that can handle more visual drama.

When Patterns Compete vs. When They Harmonize

In the example on the left, an intricate wallpaper has to compete with patterned pillows and a busy rug, the room feels visually "noisy"

In the image on the right, the same kind of detailed wallpaper is paired with mostly solid textiles and quieter furnishings, giving the pattern room to breathe and allowing it to become the clear focal point in the space.

Simple rule of thumb: if your furnishings are busy, go simpler with pattern and vice versa.