How to Choose Wallpaper for Your Home: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Pattern

I LOVE walking into a room that feels just right. The colors feel welcoming, the details feel intentional, and the space reflects the people who call it home.

Sometimes, all it takes to create that feeling is one thoughtful design choice.

Wallpaper has a beautiful way of transforming an ordinary room into something memorable. A delicate floral can bring softness to a bedroom, a timeless botanical can add character to an entryway, and a charming pattern can turn a small powder room into one of the most delightful spaces in your home.

But if you've ever browsed wallpaper designs and wondered which pattern will look best on your walls, what material you should choose, or how much wallpaper you'll actually need, you're not alone.

Choosing wallpaper should be an exciting part of creating a home you love, not a decision that leaves you overwhelmed.

I'm sharing a few things to consider when choosing wallpaper for your home, along with a resource I've created to help you feel confident from the moment you choose your pattern to the day you step back and admire your finished space.

1. Start With the Feeling You Want to Create

Before choosing a color or pattern, think about how you want the room to feel.

Do you want your bedroom to feel calm and restful? Would you love your entryway to feel warm and welcoming? Are you hoping to bring a little personality into a small bathroom or create a beautiful focal point in your living room?

The feeling you're trying to create can help guide your design choices.

For a soft, welcoming atmosphere: Consider delicate florals, graceful botanical prints, and patterns with gentle movement.

For a timeless, collected look: Look for classic motifs, balanced designs, and colors that complement your existing furnishings.

For a fresh, modern feel: Consider simplified botanicals, geometric patterns, or subtle tonal designs that add interest without overwhelming the room.

For a little more personality: A larger-scale print or a richer color palette can make an accent wall feel intentional and full of character.

Your home doesn't have to follow one particular decorating style. Whether your space is modern, traditional, cottage-inspired, or a mix of things you've collected over time, the right wallpaper can help bring everything together.

My philosophy at Dig’n Designs is simple: The Art of Everyday Beauty. I believe the details we live with every day can make our homes feel more meaningful, personal, and beautiful.

2. Choose a Wallpaper Pattern That Works With Your Space

One of the most common questions homeowners have is whether a large or small wallpaper pattern will look best in their room.

The answer depends on the overall effect you want to achieve.

Large-scale patterns

Larger patterns can make a beautiful statement, particularly on an accent wall or in a room with enough visual breathing space. They can create a focal point without requiring lots of additional decoration.

Don't automatically rule out a large pattern in a small room, either. A powder room or reading nook can be a wonderful place to embrace a little drama.

Small-scale patterns

Smaller, more delicate patterns can create a gentle, layered look. They're lovely in bedrooms, hallways, and other spaces where you want wallpaper to complement the room rather than become its main feature.

Medium-scale and understated patterns

If you're unsure where to begin, a medium-scale design or a subtle pattern can be a comfortable starting point. These designs often work beautifully alongside existing furniture, artwork, and textiles.

My tip: Look at the pattern in relation to the furniture, wall space, and other details in the room. A beautiful design should feel connected to the space rather than competing with everything around it.

3. Pay Attention to Color and Lighting

Have you ever brought home a paint sample that looked perfect in the store, only to find that it looked completely different on your wall?

Wallpaper colors can change in much the same way.

Natural daylight, warm evening lighting, and cooler LED bulbs can all influence how a pattern looks. A soft cream may appear warmer in the evening, while a muted green may look brighter or cooler in certain light.

Before committing to a design, consider these three things:

• Your natural light: Notice whether the room receives bright sunlight, indirect daylight, or very little natural light.

• Your existing colors: Look at your flooring, cabinetry, furniture, rugs, and nearby paint colors.

• Your lighting after dark: Consider how the wallpaper will look when you're using the room in the evening.

Whenever possible, order a sample and view it in the actual room where you plan to install it. Look at it at different times of day and alongside the materials and colors you already have.

It's a small step that can make a big difference in how confident you feel about your final choice.

4. Think About Where You'll Use Wallpaper

Wallpaper isn't just for living rooms or formal dining spaces. Some of the most charming applications are in places you might not have considered.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

Bedrooms: Create a peaceful backdrop behind the bed with a soft floral, a graceful botanical, or a pattern that complements your bedding.

Entryways: Set the tone for your home with a welcoming pattern that adds character as soon as someone walks through the door.

Powder rooms: Give a small space its own personality with a memorable print or a little more color than you might use elsewhere.

Home offices and reading nooks: Create a corner that feels inspiring, cozy, and distinctly yours.

Laundry rooms and mudrooms: Bring a little beauty to the everyday spaces that work hard behind the scenes.

Nooks, alcoves, and other architectural details: Wallpaper can draw attention to an interesting feature and make it feel like a deliberate part of the design.

You don't have to wallpaper every wall to make an impact. Sometimes one thoughtfully chosen wall is all you need.

As you explore the possibilities, think about the spaces you use every day. Where could a little pattern, color, or texture make the room feel more like home?

5. Choose the Right Wallpaper Material for Your Project

A beautiful pattern is only part of the decision. You'll also want to consider the wallpaper material and finish that best suit your space.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper, for example, may be appealing for a temporary update or a project where removability is important. Traditional wallpaper may be a better fit for other installations, depending on the product, the wall surface, and your long-term plans.

Before purchasing, check the manufacturer's installation instructions and product specifications.

Pay particular attention to:

• Whether the wallpaper is peel-and-stick or paste-applied.

• Which wall surfaces are suitable.

• Whether the finish is appropriate for the room's moisture and humidity.

• How the product should be installed, cleaned, and removed.

• The panel or roll dimensions and any pattern-alignment requirements.

Bathrooms and other humid spaces deserve special consideration. The product must be suitable for the conditions, and good ventilation and proper installation matter.

Taking a little time to understand your options will help you choose a product that suits both your design goals and your home.

6. Measure Before You Order

Now for the practical part that can make even an enthusiastic decorator pause: figuring out how much wallpaper to purchase.

Accurate measurements are important because walls aren't always perfectly straight, and wallpaper patterns may require additional material to align correctly.

Before ordering, measure the height and width of each wall you intend to cover. Record the measurements carefully, and check the specific dimensions and ordering instructions for your chosen wallpaper.

If you're purchasing wallpaper in panels rather than traditional rolls, pay special attention to the width and height offered for your particular design. The quantity you need will depend on your wall dimensions and the product's specifications.

It's also worth checking how the pattern aligns from one panel to the next. A seamless repeating design doesn't automatically tell you which pattern-match method applies to your installation.

The golden rule? Measure twice, order once.

And if you're feeling unsure about measurements, material choices, wall preparation, or installation, I've created a resource to help you work through the process with greater confidence.

Meet The Complete Wallpaper Companion

Choosing wallpaper should feel like the beginning of something beautiful. That's why I created

The Complete Wallpaper Companion: Designing, Measuring, & Transforming Your Space with Confidence.

 

 

This thoughtfully designed guide brings the important details together in one place, helping you move from inspiration to a more confident wallpaper project.

Inside, you'll find guidance to help you:

• Discover patterns and colors that complement your decorating style.

• Understand wallpaper materials and finishes before making your selection.

• Measure your walls and plan your wallpaper order.

• Prepare your walls and gather the tools you'll need.

• Navigate the installation process, including corners, windows, outlets, and other tricky areas.

• Care for your wallpaper and understand the basics of safe removal.

I've also included a practical measuring worksheet to help you organize your wall dimensions and work through the calculations before placing your order.

Rather than trying to remember bits of advice from different places, you'll have a helpful reference to return to as your project progresses.

Whether you're planning one beautiful accent wall or transforming an entire room, my hope is that this guide helps you approach your project with less guesswork and more excitement.

[Get The Complete Wallpaper Companion]

Your next beautiful room starts with a little inspiration and a plan you feel good about.

Find a Wallpaper Design That Feels Like You

Once you have an idea of the look you want to create, I'd love for you to explore the wallpaper designs at Dig’n Designs.

My collections are created with a love for timeless patterns, thoughtful details, and the beauty found in everyday life. From graceful botanicals to charming florals, I want my designs to help you create spaces that feel welcoming, personal, and beautiful to live in.

As you browse, think about the feeling you want to bring into your home. Look for colors that work with your furnishings, patterns that complement your style, and designs that make you pause and imagine the possibilities.

You don't have to have every detail figured out before you begin. Sometimes, finding the right pattern is what helps the rest of the room come together.

[Explore Dig’n Designs Wallpaper]

And if you've found a design you love but have questions about measuring, choosing a finish, or preparing for installation, let The Complete Wallpaper Companion help you take the next step.

Your home is made up of the little details you choose, the moments you share, and the spaces that welcome you back at the end of the day.

Let's make those everyday spaces beautiful.

With love for the art of everyday beauty,

Kelly

Dig’n Designs