When styling large scale prints and wallpapers, it’s important to be thoughtful about the other elements within a room to allow these designs to fully shine. We offer many large scale patterns to choose from, whether you’re looking to go whimsical with Daphne, floral with Georgia, or take another route entirely. Below, interior designers share their top tips for successfully integrating large scale prints into a space.
Designate a Focal Point and Stick to One Large Scale Print
When decorating a room with large scale patterns, you will want to allow those to be the focal point, keeping the remainder of the space visually calm, says Anaïs Chaumien, founder of Design by Anaïs in New York City. “I love using a bold large scaled fabric to reupholster an existing chair to make it a bright, whimsical, bold centerpiece of any room,” says Elana Mendelson, the founder of Elana Designs in Potomac, Maryland. “You can really have fun and go a little out of your comfort zone here, especially if everything else in the room is calmer and more subdued.”
Additionally, on a related note, you will want to keep to just one large scale pattern per room, the designer shares. If you wish to incorporate other patterned items, such as pillows and rugs, into the space, be sure that those will not compete with your main pattern.
Design by Georgia Zikas Design
“I think the trick to working with large scale patterns is to develop a healthy mix with a variety of smaller scale patterns in the room,” says Georgia Zikas, the founder of Georgia Zikas Design. “My general philosophy is to have one lead singer fabric in the room, and then have several back up vocals perfectly placed for balanced harmonies.”
Select a Dominant Color
Mixing and matching patterns within a space is fair game as long as you select a dominant color to utilize throughout the room to ensure that everything ties together nicely, Chaumien says. For example, if you’re working with a large scale pattern that contains green, you may wish to style a green lamp or pillow within the space for consistency.
Design by L. Collins Interiors. Photography by Sarah Baker
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Big in Small Rooms
You may be hesitant to go big and bold in a small space such as a powder bathroom or mudroom, but Chaumien actually views these areas of the home as excellent opportunities to play with large scale prints, noting, “Feel free to go all-in and cover all walls of the room for a maximum statement.” Mendelson agrees that bold bathrooms are the way to go, noting, “The room is small enough that the pattern is not overwhelming yet it makes an impact and adds a big punch of pattern and color.”
Elevate Your Sleep Space
Decorating a bedroom with large scale prints? There are many fun ways to do so to add personality to your sleep space. Mendelssohn likes the idea of a large scale fabric on an upholstered headboard or installing an accent wall behind the bed (or even on the ceiling!) using a large scale wall covering. “This is another strong, creative option without overwhelming the entire space,” she says.
Design and Photography by Hayley Van Wageningen