Patterned Curtains with Patterned Wallpaper: How to Choose Curtains That Work
Pairing patterned curtains with patterned wallpaper is one of the boldest moves in decorating. Done well, it gives a room depth and personality that plain walls and plain curtains never will. Done badly, the two patterns fight and the room feels busy.
Most people reading this already have the wallpaper, or have fallen for one, and now need curtains that work with it. This guide is written for exactly that moment. It covers the four rules designers use, then shows how to apply them when you choose printed curtains.
Rule 1: Find a Shared Colour
This is the one rule you cannot skip. Your wallpaper and curtains must share at least one colour. That shared colour is the thread that tells the eye the two patterns belong together.
- The obvious match. Take the background colour of your wallpaper and look for curtains where the same colour is prominent. A blue floral wallpaper on a cream ground sits comfortably next to cream based curtains with a blue pattern.
- The subtle link. For a more designed look, pick a small accent colour from the wallpaper instead. A busy botanical paper in greens and blues with touches of ochre looks clever next to curtains where ochre or mustard leads.
Shopping by colour makes this step much easier. Browse green curtains, blue curtains, beige curtains or yellow and mustard curtains and hold your wallpaper sample up to the screen to compare the colours.
Rule 2: Let One Pattern Lead
If the wallpaper and curtains have patterns of a similar size, they compete. One pattern has to be the star and the other the supporting act.
- Large wallpaper, calmer curtains. If your wallpaper has a big, bold print, such as a large floral or a sweeping mural, choose curtains with a smaller, simpler pattern. Minimalist curtains with fine lines, small repeats or soft stripes work well here.
- Small wallpaper, statement curtains. A small, tight repeat on the walls reads almost like a texture from across the room. That frees your curtains to carry a large, dramatic print and become the artwork of the room.
The golden rule of scale: never pair two large, bold patterns at the same intensity.
Rule 3: Pair Different Pattern Families
Contrast in pattern type creates energy without chaos. Think of it as pairing two different personalities.
- Organic with linear. Curvy florals, botanicals or toile on the wall balance beautifully with straight lines at the window. Look at geometric curtains with stripes, checks or simple shapes.
- Geometric with organic. The reverse works just as well. A structured geometric wallpaper is softened by floral curtains or botanical curtains with leaves and flowing lines.
- Geometric with abstract. A neat repeating geometric paper pairs with the painterly, free feel of abstract curtains.
For more on this combination, read our guide to pairing florals with geometric patterns.
Rule 4: Give the Eye Somewhere to Rest
With pattern on the walls and at the window, the rest of the room needs calm. Build in plain, solid areas so the eye can take a break.
- Furniture. Keep the sofa, armchairs and headboard in a solid colour taken from your shared palette.
- Flooring. Choose a plain or softly textured rug. A third bold pattern underfoot is an advanced move.
- Bedding and cushions. Use mostly plain bedding, then repeat one colour from the curtains in a couple of cushions to tie the scheme together.
Choosing Printed Curtains for a Wallpapered Room
A few practical points make the difference between curtains that look planned and curtains that look like an afterthought.
- Think about pattern scale on a full panel. Each of our curtain panels is 132 cm (52 inches) wide and up to 295 cm long, so the design you see in a product photo is printed large. A print that looks small on screen can read as a medium or large pattern once it hangs at full size. Look at the room photos on each product page to judge how big the pattern will look at the window.
- Check the colours in daylight. Wallpaper and fabric can look different under warm evening light. Compare them near the window where the curtains will hang.
- Remember the back of the curtain. From outside, and when the curtains are drawn back, the lining shows. Our blackout lining comes in beige or black, and our thermal blackout lining is navy. Choose the lining colour that suits the room as well as the fabric.
- Pick the heading to suit the room. Eyelets in silver, black, bronze or gold can echo the metal finishes in your wallpaper or light fittings. Rod pocket and tab top headings give a softer, more relaxed look.
Curtains That Pair Well with Patterned Wallpaper
Minimalist Grey Striped Curtains
Earth Tone Geometric Curtains
Scandi Leaf Botanical Curtains
Minimalist Blue Wave Curtains
Browse all made to measure curtains, with free worldwide delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the wallpaper or the curtains first?
It is usually easier to choose the wallpaper first. It covers a larger area and sets the tone for the room. Once it is chosen, you can pick curtains that share one of its colours and contrast with its pattern scale.
Can I pair two floral patterns or two geometric patterns?
Yes, but only if their scales are very different. A large, painterly floral wallpaper can work with curtains that have a small, repeating floral. Two patterns of the same type and size will compete.
What if I love two patterns of the same scale?
Do not use them together on the walls and at the window. Use one as the wallpaper or curtains, and bring the other in through smaller pieces such as cushion covers or a table runner.
Does pattern on pattern work in a small room?
It can. A small scale wallpaper can make a small room feel cosy and considered. Keep the palette light, choose curtains with a simple pattern and keep the floor and main furniture plain.
What is the safest combination for a beginner?
A large floral wallpaper with simple striped or softly geometric curtains. Make sure the curtains pick up the wallpaper's background colour and one accent colour.
My wallpaper is a texture, such as grasscloth or a linen effect. Can I use bold patterned curtains?
Yes. A textured wallpaper behaves like a plain colour, so you are free to choose a bold printed curtain and let it be the star of the room.
How many colours are too many?
Stick to three, or at most four, key colours across the wallpaper, curtains and accessories. For example, a background colour, a main pattern colour, a second pattern colour and a small accent.
Is it a problem if the background whites or creams are slightly different?
It can be. Slightly mismatched whites can make one of them look dull. Either match the background shades closely or choose a clear, deliberate contrast such as cream with pale grey.
How big will the pattern look on a full curtain?
Our curtain panels are 132 cm wide and up to 295 cm long, so designs are printed at a large scale. Use the room photos on each product page to judge how big the pattern will look next to your wallpaper.
Which lining colour should I choose?
Standard curtains are unlined. Blackout lining comes in beige or black, and thermal blackout lining is navy. Beige is the most neutral from outside; black or navy suit darker schemes.