Patterned wallpaper and patterned fabric can look wonderful together, but getting the balance right is the part most people worry about. This guide covers simple rules for matching curtains, cushions and accessories to busy walls, with real examples of wallpapers and fabrics we stock.
Start with scale
The most reliable way to mix patterns is to vary their scale. If the wallpaper has a large, open design, choose a fabric with a smaller repeat, and the other way round. Two patterns of the same size tend to compete; a large and a small one tend to complement each other.
Take Acquario Wallpaper by Cole & Son. Its whimsical fish composition, based on Piero Fornasetti's fascination with marine life, has a striking scale on the wall. Alongside it, a small, dense print reads almost as a texture. Little Magnolia Fabric by GP&J Baker is a good example: it is a small-scale version of Magnolia, a GP&J Baker original painted by textile designer William Turner in 1913 and taken from an early 18th century brocade, with magnolia flowers, chrysanthemum, hydrangea blossom and butterflies.
Turn it around if your walls are the quieter element. Morris Bellflowers Wallpaper by Morris & Co has a small-scale interlocking floral motif that makes it a versatile print for all four walls. That gives you room to choose a bolder, larger fabric for curtains.
Link the two with colour
Once the scales are different, colour is what holds the scheme together. Pick one or two shades from the wallpaper and look for them in the fabric. They do not need to match exactly; a near match often looks more relaxed than a perfect one.
Bellflowers comes in Saffron/Olive, Linen/Cream, Grey/Fennel, Manilla/Olive and Indigo/Linen, so a green-leaning fabric would sit naturally with Saffron/Olive or Grey/Fennel, while an indigo cushion would pick up the Indigo/Linen colourway. Acquario's palettes (Ink, Seafoam, Dark Viridian, Taupe and Charcoal) suggest deep blues and greens, which would work well with plain velvets or a quieter floral.
There is also the easy route: Bellflowers has a matching Bellflowers Weave, if you want a coordinated wall and fabric pairing with no guesswork.
Curtains, then cushions
Curtains cover a large area, so treat them almost as a second wall. If the wallpaper is busy, a plain or small-scale curtain gives the eye somewhere to rest. If the walls are calm, curtains are the place to bring in a stronger pattern. Browse our curtains and the wider fabric collection to compare options against a wallpaper sample.
Cushions are where you can be more adventurous, because they are small and easy to change. A useful formula is one cushion in the curtain fabric, one in a plain picked from the wallpaper, and one in a contrasting texture. Always look at samples together in the room, in daylight and in the evening, before you commit.
Accessories that pull it together
Accessories repeat the colours and themes of walls and fabric in smaller doses, which helps a mixed scheme feel deliberate.
- Lighting: the Peacock Lamp by Seletti is a detailed resin peacock holding a dimmable light, designed by Marcantonio. Next to a botanical or bird print it echoes the wallpaper's theme in three dimensions.
- Trays: a Hand Painted Oval Iron Tray from Les Ottomans (33x20cm) is a small way to bring a wallpaper colour onto a coffee table. Each is hand-painted, so designs and finish vary slightly. See more from Les Ottomans.
- Rugs: the Blooming Black Bear Rug from Doing Goods is handmade in 100% wool and brings a cheerful, friendly character to the floor if your walls and windows are already patterned.
- Solid surfaces: plain, natural materials give pattern a break. The Distinct Side Table by ferm LIVING is available in travertine, whose earthy texture sits calmly against a busy print.
Mirrors help too, bouncing light around a room full of pattern; take a look at our Seletti mirrors.
Get help matching your scheme
Vary the scale, link the colours and let accessories repeat the theme, and patterned walls and fabrics will work together rather than against each other. Browse our fabric range for ideas, or contact the team or visit the shop in Somerset with your wallpaper and we will help you find fabrics to suit.
