Wallpaper 101: How to Choose the Right Wallpaper Scale for Your Room
The same wallpaper can look complete different at different scales.
When you’re designing wallpaper, it is easy to fall in love with what you see on your screen, whether that be Procreate, Affinity, or Illustrator. But, once the pattern covers an entire wall, its scale can completely change the feeling of a room.
A pattern that feels delicate and subtle at one scale can be bold at another.
So, how do you know what scale is right?
What does “wallpaper scale” actually mean?
Let’s preface this by saying that scale is a design choice, and it is all about how YOU want a wallpaper to look in your space.
Small scale patterns are usually ditsy florals, textured designs, or small geometrics. They work well in small spaces like pantries or small and can make a space feel cozier. Instead of having a loud graphic, a small scale wallpaper looks soft and subtle.
Large scale patterns can be anything from a mural to bold, oversized florals. Perfect for accent walls or anywhere you want to make a statement, large scale patterns create drama and focal points within a room. You can even have fun with a large scale print and create an immersive experience in a powder room.
Small scale: more texture and movement
At a smaller scale, you’ll see more of the pattern across the wall or the design can feel more like a texture instead of a big, focal graphic. If you want the wallpaper to fit in with the room instead of a standout, small scale wallpaper is what you’re looking for.
Order a sample, look at the room instead of a screen.
Large scale: let the artwork become the focal point
Large motifs become much more noticeable. Imagine this larger scale pattern in a small room like a powder room, it immediately feels more dramatic. You’ll end up seeing fewer elements repeating across the walls.
So how do you choose?
First, consider the room:
How large is your wall?
Is there a lot of furniture in front of it?
Are you putting wallpaper in the whole room or on one accent wall?
Do you have other patterns in the room?
Do you want wallpaper to blend, or do you want a focal point?
Second, consider the artwork:
Is the wallpaper detailed?
Are the elements themselves large or small?
Is the pattern dense or are there are a lot of open areas?
Third, consider the feeling you want:
If you want a subtle, layered feel, then you want a smaller scale
If you want a bold and dramatic room or focal point, then you want a larger scale
Don’t forget that scale can be changed.
When I create wallpaper, I also offer custom scale and color adjustments, so if you love a pattern but want it slightly larger, smaller, or a different color, that’s something I’m happy to discuss.
There’s no magic number or scale. It all is going to depend on what you like.
The important thing is to see the pattern at the scale you think you like before making your decision.
Want to see more wallpaper designs? Explore my shop.
