How To Choose Wallpaper That Fits Your Living Room’s Style
Selecting the perfect wallpaper can transform your living room, setting the tone and ambiance for the entire space. With endless patterns, textures, and colors available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. If you’ve ever wondered how to choose wallpaper for living room walls that aligns with your design goals, this guide will provide practical tips and insights to ensure you make the right choice.
In this article, we’ll walk you through key factors to consider, from choosing colors and patterns to understanding how different textures can impact the room’s look and feel. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to select wallpaper that brings harmony, style, and personality to your living room.
Step One: Determine the Style of Your Living Room
Before considering wallpaper options, take a step back to assess the overall style of your living room. Is your aesthetic more modern, traditional, eclectic, or minimalist? By identifying your living room’s design style, you can narrow down wallpaper patterns and colors that complement the existing decor.
For instance:
Modern Spaces: Benefit from wallpapers with clean lines, subtle patterns, and a minimal color palette
Traditional Rooms: Look stunning with damask or floral prints that bring a sense of history and elegance
Eclectic Styles: Can handle bolder patterns and colors, adding visual interest and personality
Minimalist Designs: Often call for soft textures or monochromatic wallpapers that maintain simplicity
Step Two: Consider the Size and Layout of Your Living Room
The size and layout of your living room play an important role in selecting wallpaper. For smaller spaces, light colors and subtle patterns help open up the room, making it feel more spacious. Vertical stripes, for example, can make ceilings appear higher, while horizontal patterns give the illusion of a wider space.
In larger living rooms, you have the freedom to experiment with bold patterns and dark colors without overwhelming the space. Accent walls with striking wallpaper designs can add depth and become focal points in spacious living rooms, giving character and dimension to the area.
Step Three: Choose Colors that Complement Your Space
Color is one of the most impactful elements in a room, and wallpaper offers a wide range of hues to choose from. Start by evaluating the colors already present in your living room such as furniture, flooring, and décor, then choose wallpaper that harmonizes with them.
Warm Tones: Yellows, oranges, and reds evoke a sense of warmth and coziness, ideal for traditional or rustic spaces
Cooler Tones: Blues, greens, and grays lend a calm, serene vibe ideal for modern or coastal styles
Neutral Colors: Beige, cream, and gray offer a versatile backdrop, allowing you to update furniture and decor without worrying about clashing colors
When you’re ready to choose a new wallpaper, keep in mind how natural and artificial lighting affects color. Rooms with lots of natural light can handle darker, richer colors, while dimly lit spaces benefit from lighter hues that brighten the area.
Step Four: Decide on Pattern and Scale
Patterns can make or break a room’s aesthetic, so it’s essential to choose carefully. Small, intricate patterns work well in smaller living rooms, adding detail without overwhelming the space. Larger patterns, on the other hand, are best suited to bigger rooms where they can be appreciated from a distance.
Consider how much visual impact you want the wallpaper to have. If your furniture and decor are already bold and colorful, opt for a more subdued pattern. Conversely, if your living room has a lot of neutrals, a striking wallpaper pattern can serve as the room’s focal point.
Step Five: Experiment with Texture
The texture of your wallpaper adds a new dimension to the living room. Textured wallpapers such as grasscloth, embossed patterns, or fabric-backed designs introduce a tactile quality that brings warmth and sophistication to the space. Textured wallpaper is particularly effective in traditional or rustic spaces, where it enhances the cozy feel of the room.
For more modern or minimalist designs, smooth wallpaper with a slight sheen can add elegance without drawing too much attention. Textured wallpapers also help to hide imperfections on walls, making them a practical choice for older homes or rooms with uneven surfaces.
Step Six: Use Wallpaper to Highlight Architectural Features
Wallpaper isn’t limited to four walls; it can also accentuate architectural details within your living room. Consider using wallpaper to highlight specific areas, such as:
Niches or Alcoves: Add depth by using wallpaper to emphasize recessed spaces.
Fireplace Wall: Draw attention to your fireplace by choosing a contrasting wallpaper that makes it a focal point.
Ceilings: Using wallpaper on the ceiling can create an unexpected design element that elevates the entire room.
Accent wallpaper doesn’t have to be loud or overwhelming. Sometimes a subtle texture or metallic finish is enough to create visual interest and sophistication.
Step Seven: Balance Wallpaper with Decor
Once you’ve chosen your wallpaper, maintain harmony between it and your decor. If you’re using bold or patterned wallpaper, keep your furniture and accessories relatively simple to avoid visual clutter. Conversely, a subtle wallpaper allows you to incorporate more elaborate decor elements without overwhelming the room.
Additionally, consider the framing and layout of your artwork. Wallpaper with a strong pattern can be a backdrop for minimal art, while simpler wallpapers can handle larger pieces or gallery-style arrangements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Wallpaper
Even with a clear vision, it’s easy to make mistakes when selecting wallpaper. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Not Considering Lighting: Wallpaper colors can appear differently in natural vs. artificial light. Always test a sample in the room before making a final decision.
Overdoing Bold Patterns: While statement wallpapers are popular, too much pattern can overwhelm the space. Use bold patterns on a single accent wall or balance out with neutral decor.
Ignoring the Room’s Style: Your living room’s wallpaper should complement its existing style. Choosing a wallpaper that conflicts with the furniture or decor can disrupt the flow and cohesion of the space.
Revitalizing Your Space with Klopp Interiors
Every little design detail counts in the overall appeal of your space, and wallpaper can make a profound impact in creating a cohesive, stylish living room. Our full-service interior design at Klopp Interiors covers every aspect of your room’s transformation, from wallpaper selection to layout and decor, ensuring a seamless design process that brings your vision to life.
For you looking for a remote experience, our full room virtual design offers an interactive, comprehensive plan tailored to your space and preferences. If you're just starting out and need some initial guidance, our 1-hour design consultation is ideal for exploring ideas and getting professional input on wallpaper choice and other design aspects.
Bring Your Living Room to Life with the Perfect Wallpaper
Selecting the right wallpaper is a significant decision that can completely transform the aesthetic of your living room. With the right materials, colors, and patterns, your living room can become a reflection of your personal style and taste.
Klopp Interiors is here to assist you in making this important choice with our comprehensive design services. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can help you create the perfect space and turn your vision into reality.