We think every space deserves more wallpaper, but we’ll admit that not every room calls for a floor-to-ceiling pattern. If you’re working with a smaller space (hello, powder rooms!) or a room with lots of decorative elements, pairing wallpaper with paint can be a way to keep the space from getting too overwhelmed by a pattern. Whether you have paneling, a chair rail, or classic plain walls, combining wallpaper and paint is a great option to keep visual chaos to a minimum. It’s all about choosing the right color– and no, it doesn’t have to match exactly! Below are three ideas to pull off this look.
Monochrome Hues
This playroom ups the fun factor with our Zebra Zeal pattern while keeping it practical with paint on the lower third of the wall. Easy to clean scuff marks and fingerprints off of, this blue paint is cheery and bright. The hue works because it’s in the same family of blues as the wallpaper, just more vibrant and saturated. (Plus, it goes well with the adorable stuffed toys in the baskets!)
Painted Paneling
For a sophisticated look, painted paneling can elevate a design like our Romanza mural. The dark blue paneling provides a grounding force for the mural, which is mostly rendered in shades of lighter gray-green. The chair rail distinctlyseparates the two areas visually, and the blue paneling has cooler green undertones (as opposed to warmer purple ones) that allow it to harmonize well with the greenish cast of the mural.
High contrast
Similar to the above, the charcoal gray paint provides a strong base for our light, airy
Totem Blossom pattern. The gray paint coordinates with the black and gray stems of the flowers and creates an overall bold, high-contrast, artsy effect. The dark background also serves as a backdrop for the mid-century credenza and leafy houseplant, which otherwise might get lost among the watercolor blooms of the wallpaper.
