How to Mix and Match Wallpaper with Other Patterns and Textures

Wallpaper is back—and not just as a background feature. Today’s designs are bold, textured, and full of personality. But one of the most exciting ways to use wallpaper in a modern interior is by combining it with other patterns and textures. Done right, this approach creates a layered, visually rich space that feels thoughtfully curated rather than chaotic.

However, mixing wallpaper with additional prints and textures takes a bit of finesse. The goal is balance, not visual overload. Whether you’re experimenting with florals and stripes, velvet and linen, or matte and metallic finishes, understanding a few design principles will help you pull it all together.

Here’s a practical guide to mixing and matching wallpaper with other patterns and textures in your home, without overwhelming your space.

1. Start with a Colour Palette

The foundation of successful pattern mixing begins with a cohesive colour palette. Even the most mismatched designs can work well together if they share familiar tones.

Start by choosing 2–4 primary colours you want to highlight in the room. These will act as your anchor throughout the design. Once you’ve selected a wallpaper—whether it’s a soft botanical or a bold geometric—use those colours to guide your choices for fabrics, rugs, and accessories.

When in doubt, neutrals are your best friend. Creams, greys, beiges, and soft whites can act as a bridge between more vibrant or complex patterns.

2. Vary the Scale of Patterns

When layering multiple patterns in a room, scale matters; a mix of large, medium, and small-scale prints creates contrast and movement, helping your space feel dynamic rather than busy.

For example, if your wallpaper features a large-scale floral print, pair it with throw pillows in a medium check or subtle polka dot. Add a small herringbone throw or textured weave on the sofa to round out the mix.

It’s all about contrast and balance. Repeating similar-sized patterns across the room can make the space feel noisy and disjointed, so aim for variety in scale while maintaining a consistent colour palette.

3. Introduce Texture for Depth

Mixing patterns doesn’t just involve prints—it includes textures, too. Adding a range of tactile elements helps ground the room, softening the impact of bold wallpaper and adding warmth and character to the space.

Wallpaper itself can be a source of texture. Grasscloth, embossed metallics, linen-effect finishes, or woven fibres add subtle depth to your walls. You can then bring in contrasting textures through velvet cushions, leather chairs, chunky knit throws, or raw wood furniture.

Texture is essential in neutral spaces or rooms with minimal colour. Even in a monochrome room, a mix of smooth and rough surfaces—like matte wallpaper and a sleek lacquered table—can create interest without needing more colour.

4. Use Solids as Breathing Room

Pattern mixing needs pauses. In a room full of visual activity, solid colours act as rest points for the eye. Incorporate blocks of solid colour through upholstery, painted furniture, curtains, or area rugs.

Let’s say you’ve chosen a vibrant interior wallpaper mural as the focal point in a bedroom. That mural may be filled with detailed imagery, movement, and colour. To maintain a calm and collected atmosphere, balance the space with solid-colored bedding or a sleek upholstered headboard.

Solids provide the structure around which patterns can shine. Think of them as the white space on a page—they give everything else room to breathe.

5. Pick a Dominant Pattern

When you’re mixing and matching, designate one main pattern to lead the room. This could be your wallpaper, a statement rug, or a dramatic piece of upholstered furniture. Everything else should play a supporting role.

For example, if your wallpaper features a jungle motif with oversized greenery and birds, keep your curtains and cushions more understated. Maybe use a fine stripe, a tone-on-tone geometric, or a simple textured linen.

This approach prevents competition between design elements. The room will still feel rich and engaging, but the eye will know where to land.

6. Repeat Elements for Cohesion

One way to tie different patterns and textures together is by repeating elements across the room. This could be a specific color, pattern, or shape.

If your wallpaper has gold accents, echo them with brass hardware or a gold-toned table lamp. If it features a leafy design, bring in leafy shapes through plant pots, artwork, or textiles.

This repetition doesn’t have to be literal; it can be figurative. It’s more about creating subtle connections between disparate parts of the room. The result is a layered look that still feels harmonious.

7. Consider the Mood of the Space

Before mixing and matching anything, think about how you want the room to feel. Light and airy? Sophisticated and moody? Cozy and eclectic?

Your choices in wallpaper and textures will contribute to that atmosphere. For a serene bedroom, consider a watercolour-effect wallpaper, paired with soft cotton linens, and incorporate touches of raw wood or woven rattan. For a dramatic dining room, you could go with a dark, richly colored mural and pair it with velvet chairs and antique brass fixtures.

If you’re leaning toward bold, scenic wall art, interior wallpaper murals can become the central design statement that sets the tone for the entire space.

8. Test Before You Commit

When combining multiple elements, samples are your best friend. Order swatches of wallpaper, fabric, paint, and flooring, then lay them out together in the actual room. Notice how they interact in natural light and artificial light.

Sometimes, patterns that look perfect in isolation clash when viewed together. Testing in context helps you fine-tune your selections before making big purchases.

You can also create a mini mood board—either digitally or with physical samples—to visualise the look before you commit.

Final Thoughts

Combining wallpaper with other patterns and textures doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By grounding your space in a consistent colour palette, varying scale and texture, and allowing room for visual rest, you can create a home that feels cohesive, stylish, and full of personality.

Whether you’re starting with a bold floral wallpaper, a nature-inspired mural, or a textured neutral background, layering it with the correct supporting elements brings the entire space to life. And when in doubt, start small—try mixing patterns in a powder room, entryway, or reading nook before tackling larger spaces.

Design is meant to be playful. Let your creativity lead the way, and don’t be afraid to bend the rules once you understand the rhythm behind them.