Established in 2012

How to mix wallpaper patterns

2 wallpaper in 1 room - abale patchwork square pattern and Aloes a tropical leafy pattern
Large scale Aloes and small tiled Abale

Can you use two wallpapers in one room? We say yes! Why limit your choices!?

This design feature will need you to be a bit creative and have a good eye for what works.

The main key element to mixing two wallpaper patterns together is to have at least one colour match. This ties the designs together. Ensure the colour palette uses complimentary tones. If one is in bright hues it may not work to have the other in pastels even if the same colours are used. 

There are a few ways to approach this design and much depends on the overall style of your home. 

Lets delve into 5 wonderful ways you can mix two wallpapers in one room.

Boatnical palm tree mural and ,atching palm tree wallpaper - using 2 walls papers in one room
Image by Homes To Love

Getting the scale right

The first pro tip is to vary the scale of the patterns. For example as above a large scale palm tree mural (by Kerrie Brown) matched with the smaller scale Palmy wallpaper by These Walls. 

So one wall will have a larger feature wallpaper design with the other wall complimenting it with a smaller pattern. This ensures the patterns are not fighting for attention. The larger scale will be the accent wall and where the eye will be drawn.

Use This

Dandelion Australiana style wallpaper pattern in a living room
Dandelion

With This

Rust orange wallpaper with Aboriginal dot painting style design
Goanna

Matching Wallpaper

Many wallpaper ranges have already supplied a corresponding plainer version of a patterned wallpaper. This is to allow for a feature wall of the pattern whilst the remaining walls may be covered in the matching plainer style. The background is the same but one has the main pattern also.

The benefit of mixing your wallpaper patterns this way is that you can wallpaper the entire space without being overwhelmed by the feature pattern. It allows you to have an accent wall but also adding texture and interest to the room as a whole. This integrates the space holistically keeping a harmonious continuity throughout.

2 wallpaper patterns on a staircase in Grasslands plain and palm leaf designs
Grasslands

Try mixing a mural with a small pattern

A scene of cherry blossoms trailing down the wall in a striking green wallpaper mural
Shinsha
Close up of Miri wallpaper in Teal
Miri

Wallpaper Borders

Wallpaper borders are making a comeback with a contemporary twist. Use a border against the main wallpaper design for an innovative way to modernise the old school border wallpaper.

Cole and Son wallpaper border and butterflies and dragonflies wallpaper for kids room
Cole and Son

Wallpaper on the ceiling

Wallpapering a ceiling is often not thought of. But done well creates a stunning interior impact. Previously in other blogs we have looked at wallpapering the 5th wall but none in conjunction with wallpaper on the walls. Apply the same rules as above in this case. Either the walls or the ceiling will have the main pattern with the other complimenting it.

Wallpaper on walls and ceiling mixing 2 wallpaper patterns
Image from Pinterest - Gatheredky

Get this look with:

blue Villa wallpaper in a floral damask scrolling style pattern
Villa
Small blue checked wallpaper
Frida

All out clash for Maximalists

Having written much about Minimalism and pared back tastes, let’s not forget the lovers of bold patterns and bright colours.

For maximalists the use of two wallpapers in one room is right up your street. And nothing says you have to scale it back. Dare to be different with two big designs and the same rules apply; have tonal similarities and different scales. Or a theme that connects the two. 

Cole and Sons Zulu border using two wallpapers on one wall for maximalist interior design
Cole and Son

Use this

Modern feather mural wallpaper
Oiseau Fleur

With this

Plumes of slick black feathers feature in this luxe vinyl wallpaper
RC Feathers

Feel like you know how to mix wallpaper patterns now?

You are ready to start mixing and matching your wallpaper patterns. And now is the perfect time to explore different combinations and find a style that suits your home. If you’re unsure where to begin, try printing a few wallpaper designs to compare colours and patterns together, away from the screen.

For homeowners in South Brisbane and The Redlands, we offer a convenient showroom experience. Book an appointment to view our curated range of sample books. This way you can easily see the textures, colours and patterns and how they work together to choose the perfect wallpaper combination.

Inquire here to check availability and book.

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Please be aware over the Christmas period that delivery times may differ than the lead time listed in the product description. Feel free to request a delivery estimate before ordering.

We will do our best to keep you informed of any delays once an order is placed and ask you to be patient during this busy time.

Most orders placed after the 5th December will be dispatched once deliveries resume from around the 12th January onwards. 

We are closed from the 21st December until the 22nd January. You can place orders online throughout this time and they will be processed on the 22nd January.

Thank you from the I Wallpaper team. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year