How to Choose Wallpaper for a Small Room: Light, Lines, and Personal Taste
Decorating a small room comes with its own set of challenges, but the right wallpaper can make a space feel more open, more inviting, and truly yours. While Pinterest is full of glossy examples, the truth is: what works in your space depends not only on dimensions and lighting but also on how you want the room to feel. Here’s how to choose wallpaper that enhances a smaller space without overwhelming it.
1. Start With How You Want It to Feel
Before you scroll endless pattern options, ask yourself: how do I want to feel in this room?
- Calm and relaxed?
- Energized and creative?
- Cozy and grounded?
Your emotional response to color and pattern matters more than any trend or design wisdom.
2. Use Vertical Stripes to Elevate
Vertical lines naturally draw the eye upward and can create the illusion of higher ceilings—ideal for low or cramped rooms. Interior designers consistently recommend subtle vertical stripes for this reason. A striped wallpaper in soft tones—like sage on cream or navy on white—can feel fresh without being busy.
3. Choose Light, Reflective Colors in a Small Room
Light colors reflect more natural light and help open up small spaces. Use of Creams, soft blues, gentle sage, or even pale blush can subtly brighten a room while still adding visual interest.
Avoid very dark patterns unless you’re going for a cocooned, dramatic look—and even then, balance it with lighter furniture and finishes.
4. Consider Texture and Pattern Scale
Faux textures—like linen, plaster, or grasscloth—can add depth without clutter. In small spaces, this gives the walls personality without feeling heavy.
Keep pattern scale medium to small – Very large motifs can dominate a tiny room unless you have ample white space around them.
5. Lighting Still Matters
Use lighting to your advantage, and if in doubt — order a test swatch (or several). You’ll never regret testing how a pattern looks at different times of day in your space.
6. Your Space, Your Rules
There are no rules without exceptions. Some of the most memorable interiors break “the rules” with confidence. The key is alignment with how you want the room to feel.
That’s why all of my wallpaper designs are available in multiple colorways — and I’m always happy to adjust the scale or hue to fit your project.
All the designs shown here are mine, and I’m happy to adjust them to fit your space. Need a different scale, color, or orientation? Just ask — I offer free customizations.
Have questions or looking for something specific? Feel free to reach out. And if you enjoyed this article, consider subscribing to my newsletter for more design tips and ideas!
