Patterned wallpaper can take your family room from basic to something way more interesting. Still, plenty of homeowners worry about making expensive mistakes. You really need to get how patterns play with your space and choose designs that add to your room, not overpower it.
Remember to repin your favorite images!
Honestly, the trick to decorating with patterned wallpaper is all about balance. You want bold designs, sure, but you also need to pick the right furniture, lighting, and layout so everything works together.
Your family room is the heart of your home, right? It’s where life happens and memories get made. Since everyone’s in and out of this space, you need wallpaper that’s both stylish and practical.
Think about durability and how easy it is to clean. Patterns interact with natural light in surprising ways, and you have to factor in your family’s daily routines.
Whether you’re after a cozy retreat or a lively hangout, patterned wallpaper gives you a ton of options. You can pick patterns that fit your room’s size, work with what you already own, and still keep things practical for a busy household.
Accent walls or full-room wallpaper? Both can look great if you plan it out. The right approach helps you pull off a professional look that actually feels like you.
Selecting the Right Patterned Wallpaper
Matching the wallpaper pattern to your lifestyle is key. You also need to balance the pattern’s scale with your room’s size.
Coordinating colors with your existing furniture helps everything feel intentional, not chaotic.
Understanding Wallpaper Types
Vinyl wallpaper stands up to family rooms better than most. It handles daily messes and wipes clean without fuss.
Textured wallpaper adds depth but doesn’t fight with your sofa’s pattern. Grasscloth and fabric-backed wallpapers bring in some interest while staying neutral enough for busy spaces.
Prepasted wallpaper makes DIY installation easier. You just need water to activate the adhesive, so it’s not too intimidating.
Traditional paper wallpaper gives you the widest pattern selection, but it takes more effort to keep nice. Consider it for spots where the kids won’t be touching the walls all day.
Peel-and-stick options are perfect if you like to change things up. They’re not permanent, so you can try bold looks without stressing.
Choosing Patterns and Colors
Floral wallpaper in softer shades sets a welcoming vibe without being too girly. Patterns with small or medium blooms keep things versatile.
Geometric patterns give the room a modern kick. Stripes can make low ceilings feel taller, and shapes like hexagons or circles add some fun.
Stick to three main colors for your palette. Pull one from your furniture, add a neutral, then pick an accent color.
Cool colors like blue or green make small rooms feel bigger. Warmer shades like rust or gold make large family rooms cozier.
Skip pure white backgrounds if you have little kids. Off-white or cream hides smudges but still brightens up the room.
Try out wallpaper samples at different times of day. Lighting changes everything—what looks great in the morning can feel totally different at night.
Evaluating Scale and Proportion
Big patterns fit best in large rooms with high ceilings—think over nine feet. Smaller patterns work better in compact spaces or where ceilings are around eight feet.
Pattern repeat changes the vibe. Tight repeats create a subtle, textured look. Wide repeats, like 24 inches or more, make a bold statement.
Match your furniture’s size to the wallpaper’s pattern. Large sectionals pair nicely with bigger motifs. If your furniture is delicate, go for smaller, refined patterns.
Accent walls handle large patterns better than wrapping the whole room. The wall behind your main seating or entertainment center usually makes the most sense.
Always measure your wall height and width before you buy. Patterns that get chopped off at the ceiling or corners just look off.
Go for bold wallpaper ideas on just one statement wall. It keeps things interesting without overwhelming the space.
Planning the Family Room Layout
Patterned wallpaper really pops when you plan your room layout and place furniture thoughtfully. Picking the right focal wall and working with your room’s architecture makes a huge difference.
Determining the Focal Wall
The sofa wall usually makes the best focal point for patterned wallpaper. People naturally look at this wall when they walk in.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Picking walls with lots of windows or doors
- Choosing walls less than eight feet wide
- Wallpapering over heavy built-ins
Pick a wall with plenty of uninterrupted space. The wall opposite the entryway often works well since it’s the first thing guests see.
Pay attention to how people move through the room. You want the focal wall visible from the main seating area, but it shouldn’t fight with the TV or fireplace.
Interior designers often suggest wallpapering behind your sectional sofa instead of the TV wall. It adds depth without too much visual competition.
Integrating Wallpaper with Room Architecture
Work with your room’s features, not against them. Built-in shelves, crown molding, and other details should enhance your wallpaper, not clash with it.
Integration tips:
- Use white or neutral trim to frame your wallpaper
- Large patterns look best in rooms with higher ceilings
- Notice how windows affect the pattern’s visibility as the light changes
Measure your walls before picking a pattern. Tiny geometric designs can disappear on big walls, while huge florals might swamp a small space.
Arrange your main seating to face or complement the wallpapered wall. Don’t block the best parts with furniture.
Add wall sconces or picture lights to show off the wallpaper’s texture and colors at night.
Coordinating Furniture and Decor with Wallpaper
Getting your furniture and decor to work with patterned wallpaper takes some planning. You want balance between the wallpaper and everything else in the room.
Complementing Patterns and Textures
Start by making your wallpaper the main design feature. Bold geometrics need simple, solid-colored furniture.
Floral wallpaper pairs well with textured fabrics like linen or wool. These add interest without clashing.
Pattern mixing basics:
- Limit yourself to three patterns in a room
- Mix up the scale—big wallpaper, small throw pillows
- Separate patterns with a solid color in between
Textured wallpaper invites smooth furniture finishes. Leather and grasscloth? That’s a good combo. Wood grain furniture also works with subtle textures.
Don’t match patterns exactly. Instead, go for designs that share colors but differ in scale.
Selecting Furniture Colors and Finishes
Pull one or two main colors from your wallpaper for your furniture. This ties everything together without feeling too matchy-matchy.
If your wallpaper is navy and cream, maybe get a navy sofa with cream chairs. Add wood tones from the background of the wallpaper.
Color tips:
- With bold wallpaper, stick to neutral furniture (beige, gray, white)
- If your pattern is subtle, go bolder with the furniture
- Dark wallpaper? Use light upholstery
- Light wallpaper? Bring in deeper tones for contrast
Match wood finishes to your wallpaper’s undertones. Warm patterns go with honey oak or cherry. Cooler tones fit with walnut or ebony.
Metal accents should fit your wallpaper’s vibe. Gold hardware looks great with warm patterns, while silver suits cool ones.
Mixing Accessories for Harmony
Accessories help tie your wallpaper and furniture together. Throw pillows can echo wallpaper colors without overdoing it.
Area rugs can either match your wallpaper or ground the space with a solid color. Busy wallpaper usually needs a simple rug.
Accessory basics:
- Curtains: go solid and pick a wallpaper color
- Artwork: stick to similar color palettes
- Lighting: choose fixtures that fit your wallpaper’s style
- Throws: pick textured options in coordinating shades
Limit patterned accessories if your wallpaper is bold. One patterned pillow per seating area is usually enough.
Match metallic accessories to your hardware. Brass lamps for warm wallpaper, chrome for cool.
Plants bring in a natural touch and soften geometric patterns. Choose planters in colors that show up in your wallpaper.
Lighting and Fixtures for a Wallpapered Space
Lighting can make or break your patterned wallpaper. The right fixtures and bulbs highlight your wallpaper’s best features and set the mood.
Choosing the Right Lighting
Your wallpaper’s color and pattern should guide your lighting choices. Dark wallpaper needs more light so the room doesn’t feel heavy.
Light wallpaper bounces more light around, so you can use softer fixtures. Focused lighting works well with bold patterns to highlight certain areas.
Useful lighting types:
- Ambient lighting for general brightness
- Task lighting for reading or work
- Accent lighting to show off texture and pattern
Warm white bulbs (2700K-3000K) make most wallpaper colors look richer. Cool white bulbs can wash out warm tones.
Install dimmer switches so you can control the mood and how much the wallpaper pops.
Incorporating Sconces and Accent Lights
Wall sconces add a touch of elegance and work great with wallpaper. They throw soft light across the wall and highlight texture.
Mount sconces about 60-66 inches from the floor for the best effect. Keep them away from really busy patterns to avoid clutter.
Sconce tips:
- Use pairs for a balanced look
- Space them 6-8 feet apart
- Pick simple sconces for patterned wallpaper
- Go ornate if your wallpaper is plain
Track lighting or picture lights can spotlight certain wallpaper sections. Use them to create focal points or highlight your favorite area.
Table and floor lamps add layers of light without touching the wallpaper. This keeps your walls safe and creates cozy spots.
Incorporating Accent Walls and Unique Applications
Patterned wallpaper makes a big impact when you use it on accent walls or unexpected spots like ceilings or niches. You get to play with bold looks without taking over the whole room.
Creating an Accent Wall
Pick one wall for your patterned wallpaper to really stand out. Behind the sofa or entertainment center usually works best.
Go bold on big walls and pick smaller prints for tight spaces. Geometric patterns add a modern feel, while florals warm things up.
Paint the other walls a solid color that matches your wallpaper. Pull a shade from the pattern to keep things cohesive.
Think about lighting when picking wallpaper. Dark patterns need good natural light. Light wallpaper can brighten up dim corners.
Always measure before ordering. Wallpaper comes in standard widths, so figure out how many rolls you’ll need.
Using Wallpaper on Ceilings or Niches
Wallpaper on the ceiling can be a showstopper. It draws the eye up and makes even standard-height rooms feel special.
Stick to subtle patterns for ceilings. Small prints or tone-on-tone designs work better than big, bold ones.
Built-in niches or alcoves are great for trying out dramatic patterns. These small spots let you experiment without a huge commitment.
Wallpaper behind open shelves adds depth and interest. The pattern peeks through between books and decor.
Try wallpapering the back of entertainment centers or bookcases. It gives the area personality but keeps the pattern contained.
Family-Friendly Wallpaper Solutions
Family rooms need wallpaper that can stand up to daily chaos and still look good. The right materials and finishes make all the difference.
Durability and Maintenance
Vinyl and coated wallpapers are your best bet for family rooms. They resist stains and scratches, so you don’t have to stress about sticky hands or crayon marks.
Look for a scrubbable rating. This means you can clean the wallpaper with mild soap and water without ruining the pattern.
Textured wallpaper hides little dings and flaws better than smooth finishes. Grasscloth and fabric-backed styles look nice and cover up wall imperfections.
Skip delicate materials like untreated paper or silk for high-traffic spots. They tear easily and show every mark.
Choose darker colors or busy patterns for walls near seating. Light colors show dirt faster and need more upkeep.
Removable and Washable Options
Peel-and-stick wallpaper makes it easy to switch things up without damaging your walls. It’s a good option for renters or if you just like to redecorate.
Most removable wallpapers come pre-pasted. Just peel off the backing and stick them to clean, smooth walls.
Washable wallpaper has a protective coating so you can wipe away spills. Look for labels like “washable” or “scrubbable” on the package.
Pre-pasted wallpaper saves time when installing. Just add water to activate the glue—no mixing paste needed.
Test removable wallpaper on a small patch first. Some types stick better to certain paint finishes, so it’s worth checking before you go all in.
Drawing Inspiration from Other Spaces
Sometimes, just browsing wallpaper patterns in bedrooms or listening to what designers suggest sparks fresh ideas for your family room. These sources let you see how different patterns actually play out in real homes.
Adapting Bedroom Wallpaper Concepts
If you check out bedroom wallpaper, you’ll notice people usually pick softer patterns to create a sense of calm. It’s easy to borrow those gentle designs and bring them into your family room.
Floral patterns seem to work almost anywhere. Smaller floral prints make bedrooms feel cozy, but you could go for bigger, bolder flowers in your family room if you want more energy.
When you move subtle bedroom patterns into a family room, just tweak a few things. Try brighter colors or larger patterns. That way, you keep a peaceful vibe but add the playful energy families usually want.
Key pattern types that move well between spaces:
- Small geometric shapes—just make them bigger
- Soft stripes, but go for bolder colors
- Nature prints, maybe with a busier design
Before you commit, test out those bedroom patterns in good light. Family rooms usually get more natural sunlight than bedrooms. Patterns that look soft and muted in a dim bedroom might actually pop in your bright family space.
Exploring Designer Recommendations
Interior designers often say you should use vertical patterns if your family room has low ceilings. These patterns make walls seem taller and help the room feel a bit bigger.
If your family room feels narrow, horizontal patterns can really help. They tend to make the space feel wider and a lot more comfortable for gatherings.
Most designers suggest you start with one bold patterned wall. Place your main seating area against that wall if you can. Then, stick with solid colors on the other three walls to keep things balanced.
Designer tips for pattern success:
- Pick patterns that go well with your furniture colors.
- Use bigger patterns in large rooms.
- Choose smaller patterns for cozy spaces.
- Try not to mix more than two different pattern types in the same room.
A lot of professionals like to pair patterned wallpaper with solid-colored furniture. That way, your eyes get a break and the room stays interesting without feeling overwhelming.