Posted on: September 06, 2013 by admin

Searching for and purchasing wallpaper can be an agonizing experience. As a store owner, I have vivid memories of homeowners coming in and staying for hours because they could not make up their mind which type of pattern they wanted. Some would have to come back three or more times before he or she was finally able to make a choice.

It's understandable why picking out wallpaper is not the easiest thing in the world. It’s something you will have to look at every day for the next 5+ years.

If you choose a pattern that you are not crazy about then you will have to stare at that less than admirable decision every time you get out of your bed, during the day and every time you go to bed.

I thought that today would be a good time to compile some helpful tips that should make shopping for wallpaper a little bit easier. It still won't be as easy a decision as what to eat for lunch, but it should marginally cut down on your stress level should you want to redecorate your house using wallpaper.

Search for Some Room Scenes You Like

Before you start shopping for wallpaper you need to get some inspiration. You need to develop a frame of reference. Are you looking to make a children’s, country, traditional or modern accent wall? What feeling do you want a particular room within your home to convey? These are specifics you should be aware of in the the beginning.

Browse Facebook, Houzz, Pinterest, Twitter and several popular interior design magazines to view some wallpaper patterns and room scenes you might like.

While searching, you might come across a different type of idea that is different from the one you were originally thinking about creating. Pick out several rooms you really like and then begin searching for the particular wallpaper patterns you will need to create those rooms.

Search For Some Collections with the Theme You Want

Wallpaper patterns will usually be organized within a particular book, also called a “collection.” There are collections designed for all different types of accent walls and themes.

There is literally a specialty wallpaper collection for every type of theme you can imagine. Depending on how popular the theme is, there might be as many as six books dedicated to it.

You can shop by category but it’s better to shop by book because you can view the other matching patterns and borders that go along with the selection you are interested in.

It’s very rare to see an entire home decorated with just one specific pattern. The best accent walls mix and match different patterns and the great thing about books is that they will feature patterns and colors that blend in well with each other.

Order Samples

The quality of photos that retailers get from wallpaper manufacturers varies greatly. The resolution can be fantastic for one collection and poor for the next. In many cases the photos are too large to properly upload onto the website, so they have to be re-sized, thereby compromising the picture quality.

If you have seen a particular pattern before and know it’s the one you want, then you can order the wallpaper to be shipped directly to your house.

It would be a wise choice, however, to order a sample of a particular pattern you think you want if you have not seen it. The difference in what you see online, and the real thing can be drastically different. You also want to have the chance to feel the pattern if you are looking for specific texture (beaded, grasscloth, rustic).

Understand How Wallpaper Is Shipped

People are often confused when it comes to ordering wallpaper. This is because that while it’s priced as a single roll, it is packaged by the manufacturers as double rolls.

This allows the consumer to get more coverage out of a roll of paper. A single roll of wallpaper is 21 inches wide, by 16 ½ feet long.

A double roll of wallpaper is 21 inches wide by 33 feet long, twice as long as a single roll. So, if you order four single rolls of paper, don’t be alarmed when you open the box and find two rolls of paper.

Each of these is equivalent to two single rolls. Most websites have a rollage calculator if you need assistance calculating the number of rolls you will need for your particular project.

Let’s be honest—wallpaper can make or break a room. I’ve seen gorgeous prints turn into disasters because no one checked how they looked at night, or bold patterns that ended up swallowing a tiny bathroom whole. To avoid those "what was I thinking?!" moments, here’s what really matters when choosing wallpaper.

1. Lighting Isn’t Just an Afterthought—It Changes Everything

Ever bought a paint color that looked perfect in the store but totally wrong at home? Wallpaper does the same thing. That soft gray floral that felt so elegant in daylight might turn into a gloomy mess under warm evening lamps. And if your room gets harsh afternoon sun, some colors can look washed out or way brighter than you expected.

Pro tip: Tape a sample to your wall and live with it for a few days. Check it in the morning light, under lamps at night, and even on cloudy days. Shadows from shelves or nearby furniture can also change how the pattern feels.

2. Measuring Wrong Is the Fastest Way to Waste Money

Here’s a nightmare scenario: You’re halfway through installing, run out of wallpaper, and the store no longer carries that print. (Yes, it happens.) The fix? Measure twice, order once.

• For each wall: Measure height + width (don’t forget baseboards and moldings!).

• Subtract windows/doors… but add 10-15% extra for pattern matching.

• Large repeats? You’ll need more. Tiny polka dots? Less.

Online calculators help, but I always round them up. Leftover rolls can patch future damage—running out mid-project is way worse.

3. Big Pattern, Small Room? Tread Carefully

A huge tropical leaf print might look amazing in a magazine, but in a cramped powder room? It’ll feel like the walls are closing in. On the flip side, a dainty stripe in a grand dining room might disappear.

Rule of thumb:

• Small spaces: Tiny prints, textures, or vertical stripes to fake height.

• Big walls: Go bold—oversized florals, wide geometrics, or murals.

Still unsure? Some brands offer AR apps to "see" the wallpaper on your wall before buying. Lifesaver.

4. Your Couch and Rug Should Get a Say

That vintage-inspired palm print might be your dream wallpaper… until you realize it clashes with your Persian rug. If your furniture is already loud (busy patterns, bright colors), lean into a neutral or textured wallpaper. If your space feels bland, wallpaper can be the star—just keep other pieces simple.

Bonus: Some brands sell matching fabrics for pillows or curtains. Makes styling way easier.

5. Renters, Overthinkers, and Commitment-Phobes: Peel-and-Stick Is Your Friend

Traditional wallpaper is a pain to remove, but today’s peel-and-stick options are legit. I’ve used them in apartments, kids’ rooms, even as a temporary backsplash. They come in luxe finishes (think: faux grasscloth, metallic accents) and won’t wreck your walls.

Best for:

• Accent walls you might regret in 6 months.

• Covering up ugly landlord-grade paint.

• Testing a trend (looking at you, dark moody florals).

Final Reality Check

• Prep matters: Patch cracks, clean walls, and if using paste, prime first.

• Order samples. Colors look different on your screen vs. real life.

• Hire a pro for tricky jobs. Some patterns (like stripes) are unforgiving if misaligned.

Wallpaper should feel exciting, not stressful. Nail these details, and you’ll love the result for years—or at least until your next redecorating itch strikes.