Here’s How to Find the Perfect Wallpaper Scale for Your Room

As designers and homeowners continue to favor traditional decor, wallpaper is one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform your four walls into a “wow” moment. “Consider it like artwork; it can really change the mood of the space,” explains Patty Hampton, head of design at Refresh Your Space in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

The right covering can be pretty and personable in equal measure; however, there are a lot of repeats to choose from. Pattern and color palette are major factors to consider, but don’t discount scale. In fact, your wallpaper’s scale can seriously affect your home’s vibe. After all, small, ditsy florals will have a completely different look from oversized, can’t-miss blooms.

Alana Ippolito

So, how do you find the perfect scale? For starters, the size of your room should play a major role in your decision. “If the room is too small, and the scale of the pattern is too large and it can’t be showcased, that can be an issue,” Hampton explains. “If the scale is too small, then it skews too neutral and gets lost.”

Generally, the designer says, tinier repeats look better in smaller spaces whereas a large-scale pattern is more—but there are some exceptions. “If it’s an accent wall, then a large print can be fine even in a smaller room depending on the print,” the designer adds. “Think about how much of the pattern can be shown.”

Alana Ippolito

Another reason to step away from conventional proportions? The wallpaper’s intended impact. 

“If you want the wallpaper to be a dominant feature of the room, go for a larger scale or more vibrant pattern,” Hampton says. A large-scale wallcovering has the power to dial up the drama anywhere, but it especially in a small space. Powder rooms are often regarded as the jewelbox of the home: You know, a space where you can stray away from the norm and really make a splash. A smaller footprint and a larger pattern are at-odds most of the time, but in a confined space? The oversized scale can surprise and delight, so here’s your cue to go for the bold with a compliment-worthy sink and mirror.

While larger repeats are notorious for making a statement, smaller prints excel in subtlety. Whether you’re working with subtle grasscloth or a thin stripe, smaller repeats introduce texture. 

According to Hampton, a petite pattern can also play a supporting role and yield to other statement-making features in a room. “If you’re layering artwork on top of the wallpaper, a smaller print or something that’s more neutral such as a texture or simple print like stripes would make sense,” the Bay Area designer explains. “You wouldn’t want to cover up a pattern that looks more like artwork such as a mural.”

Alana Ippolito

The same goes for an area rug. Since two oversized patterns can completely clash—and not exactly in a good way—wallpaper with a smaller print can make way for a bigger, bolder underfoot. 

Once you settle on an ideal scale, it’s time to choose your wallpaper. When asked about her go-to shopping picks, Hampton likes Chasing Paper’s big and small scales. “They have a lot of fun whimsical patterns, and the quality of the wallpaper is good,” she adds. “It’s also made in the United States, and is non-toxic!”

Bonus points: Chasing Paper also offers temporary peel-and-stick wallpaper. Not only does this option give renters a way to jazz up their place without sacrificing their deposit fee, but it also gives homeowners the power and confidence to switch things up whenever they please. “Wallpaper can always be updated later,” she says. “It’s not permanent!”

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