Mixing and Matching Wallpapers in Your Home

The minimalist trends of recent years are slowly being replaced by more daring interior design choices. From bold color-drenched living rooms, to luxurious velvet furniture, to eclectic gallery walls, homeowners are embracing creativity in their spaces. 

A simple and fun way to try out this trend is to mix patterns by combining wallpapers. Mixing and matching wallpapers in your home may sound intimidating, but there are many ways to try this trend. Some are bold and eye-catching, but others are understated and elegant.

From traditional Victorian styles to rustic industrial designs, matching wallpapers can be used in just about any home, as long as you’re careful about how you mix patterns, colors, and textures. Here are our top ideas for mixing and matching wallpapers in your space.

The Basics of Combining Wallpapers

Choose Wallpapers That Share At Least One Characteristic

Whether your goal is to create a subtle and harmonious effect or to go bold, choose at least one element that your wallpapers have in common. 

 

Even in maximalist interior designs, mixed wallpaper should still feel intentional and thoughtful. Whether you choose to match for color, theme, pattern, or scale, there are many ways to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Harmonize the Wallpapers with Other Décor

Whenever you’re designing a room, it’s important to consider the entire space. You may find two wallpapers that look beautiful and cohesive together, like the birch trees wallpaper by Gray Malin and the burlwood gray white wood wallpaper. But if they’re paired with furnishings that clash with the natural softness of this combination, the entire room will feel off. 

With soft, natural matching wallpapers like these, opt for furnishings like leather sofas, soft cushions and blankets, wicker baskets, and natural stone.

Test Matching Wallpapers in Multiple Types of Lighting

The look of your wallpaper (and décor in general) can change quite a bit in different lighting. For example, warm lamp lighting can make design combinations appear more subtle. On the other hand, brighter overhead lighting will make differences in your designs more evident. 

Try testing small sections under different lighting to determine if your wallpapers are well suited.

Consider the Room Type and the Mood You Want to Set

The mood you’re hoping to create in your space should guide every design decision you make, especially when you’re mixing patterns and colors. Everyone has their own style. But most people share similar preferences when it comes to certain rooms in their home:

Bedrooms: Soft lighting, warm colors, and gentle pattern mixing set a soothing tone.

Bathrooms: Whites, blues, and greens in a variety of patterns work beautifully in a bathroom, creating a refreshing and rejuvenating mood.

Kitchens: Bold, contrasting colors and textures make a kitchen feel exciting and welcoming.

Living rooms: Patterns can be combined in unique ways to create visual interest and set a variety of different moods depending on the lighting.

Consider the Scale of Each Wallpaper’s Design

It’s important to remember that mixing wallpaper patterns goes beyond shape and color. It’s also important to think about the size and scale of the patterns you choose. This doesn’t mean that the scale always has to be the same. In fact, mixing large designs with smaller ones can create an unexpected whimsical effect that's both modern and unique. 

For example, you can mix the deco palm black floral wallpaper with the sanibel floral wallpaper for a mix of scale that still feels both dynamic and complimentary.

Elements to Combine in Matching Wallpaper

Color

Color is always an important consideration in interior design. Here are a few color palette ideas to consider when mixing wallpapers:

• Classic black and white
• A mix of delicate pastels like the beach coral sanibel blue wallpaper and the beach coral sea green wallpaper
• Neutral earth tones like green, brown, and beige

Pattern

If you’re looking to create contrast and visual interest, mixing patterns is a great place to start. Think about trying the following:

• Bold geometric patterns in the same color palette
• A natural pattern, like a floral or animal-inspired wallpaper combined with an abstract pattern
• A mix of small-scale and large-scale patterns

Style and Theme

One of the most interesting ways to combine wallpapers is by choosing two designs within the same theme. Consider matching wallpapers in the following ways:

• Two realistic wallpapers that mimic natural materials, like the burlwood gray brown wood wallpaper and the wrigley chalk white brick wallpaper
• Two coastal wallpapers
• A cute combination of wallpapers for kids and babies, like the paper cups sunlit rose wallpaper and the gentle giraffe grape chartreuse wallpaper by Blessed Little Bungalow

Texture 

While most wallpapers are smooth, there are some fun ways to play with texture, such as:

• Combining two patterned grasscloth wallpapers, like the dashed pale pebble grasscloth and the areca palm pale sun grasscloth
• Mixing patterned grasscloth and solid grasscloth in the same space
• Using a traditional smooth wallpaper with a grasscloth wallpaper for an unexpected texture combination

Ideas for Mixing and Matching Wallpapers

Opt for an Accent Wall

If you want to combine one bold or daring design with a more subtle one, try creating an accent wall to act as a focal point. For example, put a bold black accent wall behind your bed or on a fireplace wall. Then opt for a more understated wallpaper, like the Sade cream wallpaper by Forbes Masters for the other three walls.

Take a Maximalist Approach

Eclectic home design styles are trending, so now is the time to take some risks with your interiors. Combine bold geometrics with colorful florals. Wallpaper your kitchen cabinet doors or the stair risers on your entryway staircase. Try adding wallpaper to your ceiling. There are many fun and unexpected ways to incorporate pattern mixing.

These days, removable peel and stick wallpapers make it easy to try out different designs and swap them out next season, so don’t be afraid to take risks with your wallpapers.

Use different wallpapers to highlight interior features

A good way to add some creative flair to your space is to wallpaper smaller sections of a room. This can create a unique and eye-catching effect. 

For example, you may have one wallpaper design for the majority of the room, and then wallpaper the back of a bookshelf with a completely different design.

Mix and Match With Mitchell Black Wallpapers

Your home should reflect your personality and style. As you design your perfect interior space, consider using beautiful and unique wallpapers to express yourself and explore new ideas. At Mitchell Black, we offer a wide array of wallpapers and wall murals in a variety of styles, colors, and themes.

If you’re ready to dive into the world of wallpaper but you’re not quite sure where to start, book a complimentary consultation to get advice from one of our experts!