Tips for Pairing Paint Colours and Wallpaper
LILY OF THE VALLEY in Valley Green
Dreaming of the perfect decor to bring your space to life? Embark on a decorating journey that combines paint and wallpaper for an elegant and playful look. With the right tips and tricks, you can learn how to combine paint colours and wallpaper with ease. No matter your level of experience, this blog post will provide helpful advice on how to beautifully pair paint colours and wallpaper.
Let your imagination run wild as you create a stylish, coordinated look that will make any room shine. Read on to find out the best ways to pair paint colours and wallpaper to create a dreamy and enchanting look.
1. Start with the basics: colour, pattern, and texture
When decorating your home, it's all about colour, pattern, and texture. From subtle neutrals to vibrant hues, there are plenty of wallpaper options to choose from. Paint can be used to create a calming atmosphere, or to create bold contrast with a bright colour. Mix and match the wallpaper and paint to create a unique look that really pops. Don't be afraid to experiment – it's all about having fun and finding the perfect combination for your home.
By considering both the colour and pattern of the wallpaper, and the colour and sheen of the paint, you can create a harmonious combination. This will help to ensure that your wallpaper and paint are complementary, instead of competing for attention.
2. Consider the room's light
When sprucing up your home, take the light of the room into account when choosing paint and wallpaper. Depending on the amount of light, certain shades of paint may look brighter or duller. Wallpaper also has an effect on light, with lighter ones usually reflecting more light and creating a brighter atmosphere, while darker wallpapers absorb light, giving the room a warm feel.
Consider lighter wallpapers for well-lit rooms, as these tend to reflect more light, creating a brighter atmosphere. Conversely, darker wallpapers may be best for rooms with little natural light, as they are likely to absorb the light and bring warmth to the space.
3. Use wallpaper to accentuate architectural details
Are you looking to show off your home's architectural details? Wallpaper is the perfect way to do it. By choosing a wallpaper with a bold pattern, you can draw attention to the trim, columns, moulding, or other features of the room. You can the pair with contrasting paint colours to highlight the details.
PEGASUS in Dusk paired with a blue to accentuate the detail of the fireplace.
4. Be Bold. Go For A Contrasting Paint Colour
Adding a contrasting paint colour to your wallpaper is a great way to make a statement and turn heads! You can choose two shades, hues, or tones that are different from each other to create an eye-catching look. Bright and light colours paired with deep, dark shades always make a dramatic effect, or you can opt for a more subtle contrast. Not only will this draw attention, but you can also use it to define areas of the room, like accent walls or built-in shelves.
If you want to add a touch of drama, opt for a higher contrast look. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and go for a contrasting paint colour – It could be just the thing you need!
5. Pair Your Paint And Wallpaper Using Complementary Colours
Bringing together paint and wallpaper with complementary colours is a fun way to give your home an elegant and playful finish. Remember that colours opposite one another on the colour wheel like red and green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow look great together. Pick your wallpaper first—it will become the main colour focus of the room—and then find a complementary paint colour to accentuate the wallpaper design. If you want a bold effect, go for a bright and contrasting colour, but if you're looking for a more subtle vibe, use a softer hue. Don't forget to think about texture too—if your wallpaper is matte, try a glossy paint colour to add some depth. With the right combination of paint and wallpaper, you can create a room that's both beautiful and balanced.
6. Let The Wallpaper Do The Talking: Pair With A Neutral Paint Colour
When it comes to decorating your home, sometimes it’s best to let the wallpaper do the talking. Rather than pick a bold paint colour that competes with the pattern and colour of the wallpaper, select a more neutral shade that will complement, not overpower, the wallpaper. Neutral shades like beige, off white, and light pinks are classic, timeless options that can give a subtle but beautiful backdrop for patterned or colourful wallpapers. They’re also very versatile, working well in any room of the house and with virtually any type of wallpaper design. For a slightly bolder look, try a warm neutral like a soft taupe or yellow-based cream.
RED COAT in Tapestry paired with a neutral dusk to compliment and soften the room.
7. Match Your Paint To An Accent Colour In The Wallpaper
If you want to add visual interest to a room, consider matching your paint colour to an accent colour in the wallpaper. Matching the accent colour to the wall paint adds an extra layer and richness to the room. You could opt for a softer shade of the paint when pairing with wallpaper. With this method, the wallpaper will remain the star of the show while the paint complements it and ties the room together.
RUBBER PLANT wallpaper in Midnight, paired with a green that was colour matched from the wallpaper.
8. Soften Up Dark Wallpaper
You may find using dark wallpaper a bit daunting. But you can balance out the powerful and bold look of dark wallpaper by softening it up with paint. Try pairing a light or pastel colour with the dark wallpaper. For example, if you have a dark green wallpaper, use a light green paint colour. Or if you have navy wallpaper, try a powder blue paint colour. You can also create contrast between the wallpaper and wall paint by painting the trim in the same colour as the wallpaper. This will draw attention to architectural details like crown moulding or door frames and give your space a cozy, inviting feel.
Finally, adding furniture and decorations in different colours, patterns, and textures will also help to break up the room and add visual interest. By combining these elements, you can create an inviting space that is well-balanced and easy on the eyes.
Conclusion
Decorating your home can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and tricks, it can be easier to pair paint and wallpaper. By considering the basics such as colour, pattern, and texture, taking into account the room’s light, and using paint to downplay imperfections or wallpaper to accentuate architectural details, you can find the perfect combination that suits your taste. Whether you choose to go for a contrasting paint colour, pair your paint and wallpaper using complementary colours, match your paint to an accent colour in the wallpaper, or soften up dark wallpaper, you can successfully create a beautiful and unique room that sings.