Planning a feature wall that belongs in the room

A feature wall works best when it connects with the rest of the room. Colour, wallpaper pattern and the position of furniture can all help you decide where the emphasis should sit.

From the Davidsons decorating archive

Choose the focal point

Consider the wall you naturally look towards: a chimney breast, a bed wall or the main seating area. Doors, windows and shelves affect how much of a pattern will be visible.

Look beyond the sample book

A small wallpaper sample may not show the full repeat. Check the design at a useful scale and consider how it meets corners, sockets and adjoining painted surfaces.

Keep the surrounding colours connected

Pick up a quieter colour from the paper in the other walls or woodwork, or use a simple neutral alongside a stronger painted feature. Test the combination in your own light.

Prepare before hanging

Old coverings, uneven areas and the condition of the wall influence the work required. Discuss preparation and wallpaper quantities before ordering, particularly for papers with a large pattern repeat.

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