Creative wallpaper ideas: Combining two types of wallpaper
Wallpapers provide a timeless way to introduce an element of texture into your home. For an elevated, contemporary approach, consider combining two types of wallpaper within one scheme. By layering a variety of colours and patterns, you can create a backdrop that’s bursting with personality.
Discover different ways to combine two wallpapers in your schemes. Explore ideas for embracing more than one pattern, as well as coordinating two different colourways of one design.
Wallpaper combination ideas: Introduce contrast with two complementary colourways
To combine two types of wallpaper, don’t feel you need to use completely different patterns. Using one design in two colour variations is a fabulous way to bring unexpected, engaging contrast to your scheme.
Pair a neutral and a vibrant shade of similar patterned wallpapers
All our wallpapers are available in an array of colourways. You can find a diverse choice of neutral grounds, soft muted prints and more vibrant colour palettes. Simply select two contrasting colourways and place them side by side – in the same way you would with contrasting paint shades.
One of the easiest ways to combine two colourways is with one neutral colourway and one more vibrant variation. Consider a stylised floral design like Spring Flowers, a classic choice for a beautiful, inviting patterned backdrop.
The joyful, bright pink and green ‘Garden’ colourway pairs harmoniously with the subtle neutral ‘Portland Stone’. This approach works well to define two spaces in the home. Combining colourways maintains a wonderful sense of connection – for example, a kitchen and pantry.
Combine contrasting wallpapers on the same wall around a dado rail
Alternatively, consider featuring two contrasting wallpaper colourways alongside each other on one wall. Large, transitional spaces like hallways are a fantastic host for sophisticated damask patterns like Albermarle St. These rooms offer great scope, so you can afford to incorporate bold prints, and create strong contrast with your choice of colours.
Introduce ‘Astral’ above the dado-rail and contrast with the light neutral ‘Vapour’ below. Paint the skirting in the related neutral, French Grey – Mid.
For a striking, dynamic interior, create contrast in several different parts of the space. Choose one ‘primary’ colourway to provide the main backdrop. From there, introduce a contrasting design in small sections throughout the scheme.
'Paradise - Nightshade' is a large-scale botanical print on a dark ground, offering a luxurious quality. It combines with the lighter colourway ‘Aquamarine' in smaller panelled sections to deliver a confident, harmonious scheme.
Mixing wallpaper patterns: Combine stripes and patterns for a playful backdrop
Pair wallpaper patterns in a creative space
Featuring more than one pattern within a space can boost design interest, creating a lively and engaging feel. This style of decorating is perfect for children's bedrooms and study spaces. Combining stripes with other patterns helps you design an inspiring setting that sparks their imagination.
Broad Stripe is a classic, generously proportioned striped wallpaper. Our Broad Stripe wallpaper is available in a range of colourways to complement the paint shades and wallpapers in our palette. As such, it provides a versatile tool to help you design elegant, harmonious interiors that joyfully embrace pattern.
Consider combining our Road Trip wallpaper in the Pleat colourway with the coordinating Broad Stripe - Pleat wallpaper. Juxtaposed on adjacent walls, these two designs will create a strong focal point, the perfect backdrop for your little one's study space.
Introduce striped patterns on the ceiling
@its.melissa.ritchie used the same combination of patterns in the Pea Green colourways to enliven her child's bedroom. Our Broad Stripe - Pea Green wallpaper on the ceiling draws the eyes upwards. Whilst the vibrant burnt orange, Heat, brings a pop of colour contrast on the wardrobe.
Explore other ways to incorporate the ceiling into your design scheme.
@sienna.and.i transformed her daughter’s bedroom into a warm, enchanting hideaway using paints and wallpapers in the 'Masquerade' colour palette.
'Rodney Street - Masquerade' and 'Broad Stripe - Masquerade' pair perfectly to bring charm and character to this space. She also painted woodwork, skirting and furniture in the coordinating soft pink-neutral, China Clay to create an all-encompassed, cocooning feel.
Consider the views into different rooms for a cohesive interior
Another way to combine wallpaper patterns in your home is by considering the views from one room to another. Choose bold, energising prints for transitional areas of the
home, such as hallways or landing spaces. You can then create an interesting contrast by introducing a contrasting pattern in an adjoining room.
When incorporating different wallpapers in your home, consider how you can maintain a sense of flow and cohesion. Aim to select wallpapers that follow a similar mood or theme to bring a sense of continuity to your schemes.
@its.melissa.ritchie has used floral wallpapers to evoke the positive, uplifting qualities of nature throughout various spaces in her home. In her hallway and landing, Bamboo Floral – Mambo features on walls, alongside Briar Rose – Salix in the adjoining bathroom. She painted the woodwork in coordinating colours Salix, Pale Lupin and Brighton to frame this bright and energising interior.
FAQs about using two different wallpapers in one room
Which wallpaper combinations work best together?
When incorporating multiple patterns, it is important that your overall scheme feels harmonious. Consider including both large and small-scale motifs to help bring your space to life and achieve a balanced finish.
For a straightforward approach, consider combining a simple, repeating print with a large stripe like our Broad Stripe wallpaper. Ensure that any patterns you choose will complement each other, rather than competing for attention within the space.
How do you combine wallpapers?
Each Little Greene wallpaper design is available in multiple colourways designed to pair with our colour palette. This makes it simple to create cohesive and impactful schemes that feature beautiful, thoughtful combinations of colour, texture and pattern.
If you want to feature more than one wallpaper in a space, think carefully about how you want your space to feel. Then select wallpapers that perfectly complement this mood to achieve a sense of harmony. Explore the coordinating paint colours for each wallpaper design on our product pages to achieve a cohesive scheme.
Can you use two different wallpapers in the one room?
Done with care, using two different wallpapers in one room is a great way to create a confident, maximalist interior. Make sure to select designs that will pair in a harmonious way, to ensure your scheme feels coherent rather than chaotic.
Consider wallpapers that have a common theme, such as a shared colour palette, or a stylistic element like flowers. You should also consider the proportion in which you feature each design. Try to maintain a 70/30 or 80/20 proportion between wallpaper designs. Elect one design as the focal wallpaper, so they both aren’t fighting each other for dominance.
Things to remember when combining wallpaper patterns in a single space
Combining two wallpapers will bring a surprising, playful touch to a space. Using two wallpapers in one scheme can create a striking focal point, providing a great way to define zones within your home.
It’s important to consider how you can maintain a cohesive feel by selecting wallpapers that work harmoniously together. This might mean choosing two colourways of one design, or pairing different designs in the same colour palette.
If you want to combine two completely different wallpapers, consider designs with a similar theme or mood. This approach will give your scheme a coordinated finish, whilst creating real impact and visual interest.
Explore more wallpaper ideas and inspiration in our gallery. Or boldly embrace wallpaper combinations with help from our maximalist wallpaper guide.