Wallpaper & Paint: Designing the Perfect Pair

Wallpaper has made a major comeback in recent years, but pairing it with the right paint color is where many homeowners begin to second-guess their decisions. Should you choose the wallpaper first or the paint? Do you match the colors exactly? Can bold patterns work in small spaces? And how do you create a look that will still feel timeless years from now?

The truth is, thoughtfully pairing wallpaper and paint is less about following trends and more about understanding color, undertones, and how the two materials work together. When done well, the combination creates a room that feels layered, cohesive, and intentionally designed.

To help answer the questions we hear most often, we sat down with Sarah to discuss her approach to pairing wallpaper and paint. From where to begin the selection process to the biggest mistakes to avoid and the designer tricks that instantly elevate a room, she's sharing the principles we use to create spaces that feel both timeless and personal.

Should I choose the wallpaper or paint color first?

Almost always, choose the wallpaper first. Wallpaper tends to be the more specific and harder-to-match element, while paint offers nearly endless flexibility. Once the wallpaper is selected, we can pull from its colors and fine-tune the paint to create a cohesive, intentional palette.

What is the biggest mistake people make when pairing wallpaper and paint?

The biggest mistake is trying to match the wallpaper too literally. Instead of choosing the exact color that initially catches your eye, look at the wallpaper as a whole. Often the most successful paint color comes from a subtle background tone or an understated accent within the pattern rather than the most obvious color.

How do you pull paint colors from a patterned wallpaper?

Start by identifying the colors that appear most frequently in the pattern. Then look for the quieter supporting tones - the background color, a soft accent, or even a shadow within the design. Those often make the most sophisticated paint choices because they allow the wallpaper to remain the focal point while creating a layered, cohesive feel.

Can large-scale wallpaper patterns work in small rooms?

Absolutely. In fact, some of our favorite wallpaper moments happen in smaller spaces. Powder rooms, mudrooms, and laundry rooms are wonderful opportunities to be a little bolder. Large-scale patterns can actually make a small room feel more intentional and visually expansive, especially when they're paired with simple furnishings and thoughtful lighting.

Is it better to choose a complementary color or a coordinating neutral?

Most of the time, we actually lean toward a complementary color. Pulling a color directly from the wallpaper and using it on the surrounding walls, trim, or millwork creates a richer, more layered look that feels intentional and custom. It allows the room to feel fully enveloped in the design rather than treating the wallpaper as a standalone feature. That said, a coordinating neutral can be a beautiful choice when you're looking for a quieter backdrop. The key is making sure the paint color feels connected to the wallpaper and enhances it rather than competing for attention.

What is the biggest mistake people make when pairing wallpaper and paint?

Many people focus solely on color and forget about undertones. Two colors may appear similar at first glance, but if one has a warm undertone and the other feels cool, the combination can feel disjointed. Paying attention to undertones is often what separates a room that feels thoughtfully designed from one that feels slightly off.

How do you make wallpaper feel timeless rather than trendy?

We look for wallpapers that have a sense of history and authenticity. Botanical prints, traditional block prints, grasscloths, subtle stripes, and organic patterns tend to age beautifully because they've been around for generations. Pairing them with classic furnishings, natural materials, and restrained color palettes helps ensure the room feels enduring rather than tied to a particular moment.

What is one wallpaper-and-paint pairing trick that instantly elevates a room?

Paint the trim, doors, and millwork in a color pulled directly from the wallpaper rather than defaulting to bright white. This simple move creates a more custom, layered look and allows the wallpaper to feel integrated into the architecture of the room rather than simply applied to the walls.