How to Mix & Match Wallpaper and Wall Art Like a Pro
Check out our latest tips to master the technique of combining wallpaper with wall art to expertly enhance your walls.
Wall decoration serves as a distinct form of artistic expression. Proper combination of wallpaper and wall art creates a space transformation with depth, personality and style. The combination of patterns and textures along with colors can seem challenging—what methods allow you to design a unified space that doesn't become too busy?
The key is balance. The right combination of wall art with any wallpaper design from bold statements to subtle textures to vintage prints transforms your space into a professionally curated elegant interior.
Our guide teaches you expert techniques for combining wallpaper and wall art to create a space that looks stylish and intentional as well as uniquely yours.
1. Start with a Vision
Take time to envision your desired aesthetic before you choose wallpaper and wall art. Ask yourself:
✔ What mood do I want to create? Cozy, elegant, bold, minimalist?
✔ Should I make the wallpaper or the art piece the central feature of the room? One should take the lead.
✔ What’s my existing color palette? Achieving a unified look requires careful selection of furniture, rugs and décor.
A clear vision enables you to mix and match pieces with confidence and prevents you from doubting your selections.
2. Determine Your Room’s Primary Focal Element
The greatest blunder people commit during decoration is when both wallpaper and wall art compete for prominence in a space. Make a decisive choice between wallpaper and wall art so one becomes the main attraction while the other acts as a supporting element.
For bold wallpaper featuring large-scale florals and geometric designs or rich textures select minimalistic or monochrome wall art to maintain balance.
With subtle wallpaper featuring soft textures and muted tones you can include bolder colorful artwork in your design.
💡 Pro Tip: Simple black-and-white photography and abstract prints alongside statement wallpaper produce an effortlessly chic design.
3. Coordinate Colors for a Cohesive Look
Matching wallpaper colors with wall art requires careful color coordination. Using a well-coordinated color scheme avoids color clashes and creates an intentional atmosphere in your space.
Ways to Match Colors Effectively:
✔ Match an Accent Color: Select artwork that includes navy, blush or gold tones when your wallpaper features any of those colors.
✔ Stick to a Neutral Base: Wallpapers in neutral tones such as beige, gray and white harmonize beautifully with bold artwork pieces.
✔ Use Complementary Colors: Using a color wheel reveals that opposite colors such as blue and orange produce visual balance when paired together.
✔ Go Monochromatic: Sticking to different shades of one single color delivers a polished and sophisticated appearance.
💡 Pro Tip: Hold your artwork next to the wallpaper to test colors before making final placement decisions.
4. Mix Patterns & Textures with Intention
The power of texture as a transformative element for wall design remains largely unrecognized. The use of multiple textures in your design strategy brings both depth and dimension to your space.
How to Pair Textures Like a Pro:
✔ Textured Wallpaper + Sleek Artwork: Use smooth framed artwork to contrast wallpaper with fabric-like finishes such as grasscloth or linen and embossed designs.
✔ Glossy or Metallic Wallpaper + Matte Art: Using high-gloss or metallic wallpapers together with matte paintings or prints produces a bold and striking contrast.
✔ Busy Patterns + Minimalist Art: When selecting art for walls covered with intricate patterns, you should opt for simple line drawings, typography or single-subject paintings to maintain visual harmony.
💡 Pro Tip: Select structured or geometric artwork when your wallpaper shows significant movement patterns such as waves, florals or abstract swirls.
5. Play with Framing & Scale
The way you frame and display your artwork has a major effect on its relationship with your wallpaper.
Framing Tips:
✔ Match the Frame to the Wallpaper’s Aesthetic: Art Deco wallpaper looks stunning when framed with sleek black or gold frames while rustic wood frames enhance the aesthetics of vintage floral wallpaper.
✔ Floating Frames for Bold Wallpaper: Select basic modern frames or frameless canvases to prevent overcrowding when dealing with busy or detailed wallpapers.
✔ Gallery Walls Work Best with Subtle Wallpaper: Gallery wall enthusiasts should select wallpaper with a light texture or a soft print so that the artwork remains the main attraction.
Scale & Proportion:
An oversized painting on busy wallpaper maintains an uncluttered look while providing balanced aesthetics.
A subtle wallpaper benefits from visual depth when you combine frames of various dimensions.
Vertical art creates an upward visual path and enhances the perceived height of a room.
💡 Pro Tip: Position your artwork on the floor to visualize the ideal arrangement before you mount it.
6. Think Beyond Traditional Framed Art
Wall art doesn't necessarily require frames to be displayed. Creative alternatives to traditional prints and paintings can enhance and complement wallpaper designs.
Alternative Wall Art Ideas:
✔ Sculptural Wall Decor: Your wall display becomes more dynamic with the addition of metal wall sculptures along with wooden carvings and ceramic art pieces.
✔ Woven or Fabric Art: Macramé wall hangings and tapestries look stunning when paired with bohemian or textured wallpaper.
✔ Mirrors: Reflective surfaces create the illusion of more space by interrupting wall patterns.
✔ Floating Shelves with Decor Pieces: Curated shelf displays featuring vases and books alongside small art pieces create a seamless integration with wallpapered wall designs.
💡 Pro Tip: Integrate contemporary art pieces with classic wallpaper designs because their contrasting elements generate surprising aesthetic harmony.
7. Consider the Mood of the Space
The selection of wallpaper and wall art must match the intended purpose and overall ambiance of the space.
Best Combinations by Room:
Living Room:
- Elegant damask wallpaper + abstract art
- Neutral textured wallpaper + oversized photography
- Botanical wallpaper + minimalist line art
Bedroom:
- Soft floral wallpaper + romantic watercolor paintings
- Deep moody wallpaper + framed black-and-white sketches
- Vintage-inspired wallpaper + classic oil paintings
Dining Room:
- Bold geometric wallpaper + modern art prints
- Metallic wallpaper + sculptural mirrors
- Striped wallpaper + framed botanical illustrations
💡 Pro Tip: Creating a tranquil space requires selecting soft patterns and comforting artwork. To create a dynamic atmosphere choose striking contrasts together with standout decorative items.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Balance
The successful combination of wallpaper and wall art depends on attaining equilibrium. The thoughtful coordination of colors with textures and proportional elements produces a curated space that avoids appearing cluttered.
Key Takeaways:
Select one element as your focal point and ensure that either the wallpaper or wall art takes center stage.
✔ Coordinate colors for harmony and avoid clashing.
✔ Mix textures to add depth and interest.
✔ Select art frames and sizes strategically to complement existing wallpaper designs.
✔ Try using non-standard wall decorations such as mirrors and sculptures.
Our collection at Wall Artifacts features high-end wallpaper designs along with wall art pieces that work together to create breathtaking interior spaces.
You can learn professional techniques to transform your walls through our expert guidance. Explore our store to find the ideal combination of wallpaper and art pieces for your space!
