Introduction
Choosing wallpaper should be exciting. It's one of the most transformative decisions you can make for your home — a single wall can completely change the mood, the feel, and the personality of a room.
But if you've ever stood in front of hundreds of options feeling completely overwhelmed, you're not alone.
Too many patterns. Too many colours. Too many materials. And the nagging fear that you'll make an expensive mistake that you'll have to live with for years.
This guide is here to change that. Whether you're wallpapering your first room or your tenth, we'll walk you through every decision — step by step — so you end up with a result you'll love for years to come.
Ready? Explore our full wallpaper collection at Wallpaper Pixi →
Step 1: Start With The Room, Not The Wallpaper
The single biggest mistake people make when choosing wallpaper is falling in love with a design before they've thought about the room it's going in.
Before you look at a single pattern, ask yourself these questions:
What is the room used for? A busy family kitchen needs something very different from a peaceful master bedroom. A kids' playroom needs something different from a formal dining room. The function of the room should guide every decision that follows.
What mood do you want to create? Calm and serene? Bold and dramatic? Playful and energetic? Romantic and cosy? Write down three words that describe how you want the room to feel — and use those words as your filter for every wallpaper you consider.
What is the natural light like? Rooms with lots of natural light can handle darker, richer patterns. North-facing rooms with less light often benefit from lighter, warmer tones. Always look at wallpaper samples in your actual room at different times of day before committing.
What furniture and colours are already in the room? Your wallpaper needs to work with what's already there — or you need to be prepared to change your furniture too. Consider the dominant colours in your flooring, soft furnishings and woodwork.
Start with the room, not the wallpaper. Get inspired at Wallpaper Pixi →
Step 2: Understand Pattern Scale
One of the most overlooked aspects of choosing wallpaper is pattern scale — and getting it wrong is one of the most common reasons people end up disappointed with the result.
Large-scale patterns make a bold statement and work beautifully in larger rooms. In a small room, a large pattern can feel overwhelming — but it can also make a small room feel more dramatic and intentional if used on a single feature wall.
Small-scale patterns are more versatile and work well in smaller spaces. They tend to read as texture from a distance, adding visual interest without dominating the room.
Medium-scale patterns are the most forgiving and work in almost any room size.
A simple rule: hold your wallpaper sample up against the wall and step back five metres. That's roughly how it will look when you're living with it day to day. Does it feel right at that distance?
"I ordered a sample first and I'm so glad I did. The pattern I thought was perfect looked completely different on the wall than it did on my laptop screen. The Wallpaper Pixi sample saved me from a very expensive mistake." — Rachel, Edinburgh
Step 3: Choose Your Colour Palette Wisely
Colour is emotional. The colours on your walls will affect how you feel in that room every single day — so this decision deserves more thought than most people give it.
Warm tones — terracotta, ochre, blush, warm cream — create a cosy, inviting atmosphere. They work beautifully in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
Cool tones — sage green, dusty blue, soft grey — feel calm and restful. Perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices.
Neutral tones — warm white, linen, taupe — are endlessly versatile and let furniture and accessories do the talking.
Bold, saturated colours — deep navy, forest green, rich burgundy — make a dramatic statement. Best used on a single feature wall or in a room where you want to create a sense of occasion.
Not sure which colour suits your space? Contact us for personalised advice →
One important tip: always order samples before you commit. Colours look completely different on a screen than they do on your actual wall in your actual light. At Wallpaper Pixi, we always recommend living with a sample for at least 48 hours — looking at it in morning light, afternoon light and artificial evening light — before making your final decision.
Step 4: Pick The Right Material For Your Space
This is where many people get caught out. The most beautiful wallpaper design in the world won't perform well if it's the wrong material for the room it's going in.
At Wallpaper Pixi, we offer 4 different materials — each with its own strengths:
Material 1 — Standard Our most popular material. Smooth finish, vibrant colour reproduction, easy to hang. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways with normal humidity levels.
Material 2 — Premium A step up in quality with a slightly textured finish that adds depth and luxury to any design. The texture catches the light beautifully and makes patterns feel more three-dimensional.
Material 3 — Moisture Resistant Specifically designed for kitchens and bathrooms where humidity is higher. The same stunning print quality as our standard material, with added protection against moisture and steam.
Material 4 — Peel & Stick Our renter-friendly option. No paste, no mess, no damage to walls. Perfect for temporary spaces, rental properties, or anyone who likes to refresh their interiors regularly.
"I rented a flat and never thought I could have the wallpaper I wanted. The peel and stick material from Wallpaper Pixi was a complete game changer — it went up in an afternoon and looked incredible. My landlord never even knew." — Jess, Bristol
Step 5: Feature Wall or Full Room?
This is one of the most common questions we get — and the honest answer is: it depends.
A feature wall works best when:
- You want to add drama without overwhelming a small room
- You have a natural focal point — a fireplace, a bed headboard, a dining table
- You're working with a bold or large-scale pattern
- You're on a tighter budget
Full room wallpaper works best when:
- The pattern is subtle, textural or small-scale
- You want to create a fully immersive atmosphere
- The room is large enough to carry it
- You're using a lighter, neutral-toned design
Can't decide? DM us and we'll help you choose →
A designer tip: if you're unsure, start with a feature wall. It's lower risk, lower cost, and often has just as much impact as papering the whole room.
Step 6: Think About The Finish
The finish of your wallpaper affects both how it looks and how it performs in your space.
Matte finish — soft, elegant and non-reflective. Hides minor wall imperfections beautifully. The most popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms.
Satin finish — a subtle sheen that catches the light and adds a sense of luxury. Works beautifully with botanical and abstract patterns.
Textured finish — adds a tactile, three-dimensional quality that photography rarely captures. Has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.
The finish you choose should complement the pattern. A delicate botanical design often benefits from a matte finish that doesn't compete with the detail. A bold geometric pattern can handle — and sometimes benefits from — a slight sheen.
Step 7: Don't Skip The Sample
We've mentioned this already — but it's important enough to say again.
Always order a sample before you commit to a full order.
A sample lets you:
- See the true colour in your actual lighting conditions
- Feel the material and understand its quality
- Check the scale of the pattern against your wall
- Live with it for a few days and make sure you still love it
Always sample first. Order your wallpaper sample →
At Wallpaper Pixi, every order starts with a sample. We'd rather you take the time to get it right than rush into something you're not completely sure about.
Step 8: When Nothing Is Quite Right — Go Bespoke
Sometimes you've looked at every collection, ordered every sample, and still haven't found exactly what you're imagining.
That's when bespoke wallpaper becomes the answer.
Our bespoke design service means we design a completely original wallpaper specifically for your space, your colours, and your vision. You're not choosing from what already exists — you're creating something new.
The result is a wallpaper that fits your room perfectly, matches your colour palette exactly, and exists nowhere else in the world.
Can't find exactly what you're looking for? Start your bespoke project →
Your Wallpaper Choosing Checklist
Before you place your order, run through this quick checklist:
✦ I know what mood I want to create in this room.
✦ I've considered the natural light at different times of day.
✦ I've thought about pattern scale and how it will read from a distance.
✦ I've chosen a colour palette that works with my existing furniture.
✦ I've selected the right material for my room's humidity level.
✦ I've decided between a feature wall and full room.
✦ I've ordered a sample and lived with it for at least 48 hours.
✦ I'm confident in my choice — and excited about it.
If you can tick all of these boxes, you're ready to order. 🎨
"I used to find wallpaper shopping so stressful. Following these steps and working with Wallpaper Pixi made the whole process feel easy and actually enjoyable. Our living room looks exactly like I always imagined it — I just wish I'd done it sooner." — Claire, Leeds
Ready To Find Your Perfect Wallpaper?
This could be your room. Start shopping at Wallpaper Pixi →
You now have everything you need to choose your perfect wallpaper with confidence.
Remember: start with the room, not the pattern. Think about scale, colour, material and finish. Always sample first. And if you can't find exactly what you're looking for — come and talk to us about a bespoke design.
At Wallpaper Pixi, we're here to help you every step of the way — from first idea to finished wall.
👉 Browse our full collection at wallpaperpixi.com 💌 DM us on Instagram for personalised advice 🎨 Contact us to start a bespoke project
Because the perfect wallpaper is out there. And it might be closer than you think.
Wallpaper Pixi — Custom & Bespoke Wallpaper, Printed to Order wallpaperpixi.com