To match curtains with wallpaper, start with the wallpaper, choose one color from its pattern for the curtains, and make sure the second pattern has a noticeably different scale. Then add at least one quiet element, such as simple bedding, solid upholstery, or an understated rug, to give the room room to breathe.
Wallpaper and patterned curtains can absolutely live in the same room. The secret is not finding two designs that “match” perfectly. It is giving them a clear relationship: a shared color, contrasting scale, or intentionally repeated print.
FIVE PAIRINGS THAT WORK
Choose the formula that fits your room.
These combinations are repeatable starting points, not rigid rules. The illustrated swatches show the relationship between the patterns; order samples of the linked products before making a final decision.
01
Floral wallpaper + striped curtains
Let one pattern lead
Begin with the floral as the room’s dominant pattern, then pull one of its quieter colors into a simple stripe. The stripe adds structure without competing with the movement of the flowers.
Wallpaper
CurtainsWallpaper
Blake Moss Wallpaper
Pepper Home Shop wallpaper →Curtains
Louisa Sage Custom Curtain
Pepper Home Shop curtains →02
Small floral + larger check
Change the scale
Two patterns feel calmer when they operate at clearly different sizes. Pair a delicate, closely spaced floral with a more open gingham or check so the eye can read each one separately.
Wallpaper
CurtainsWallpaper
Gemma Rose Wallpaper
Pepper Home Shop wallpaper →Curtains
Millie Moss Custom Curtain
Pepper Home Shop curtains →03
Patterned wallpaper + solid curtains
Use trim as the bridge
When the wallpaper already has plenty of color and detail, solid curtains give the room a place to rest. Add a narrow contrast trim pulled from the paper to make the panels feel considered instead of plain.
Wallpaper
CurtainsWallpaper
Serena Pink Wallpaper
Pepper Home Shop wallpaper →Curtains
Moss Linen Custom Curtain
Pepper Home Shop curtains →04
Tonal wallpaper + tonal curtains
Repeat the palette, not the pattern
Staying within one color family lets you layer two noticeable patterns without making the room feel disjointed. Vary the value by making one medium and the other light or dark, and keep the pattern shapes distinct.
Wallpaper
CurtainsWallpaper
Lee Cornflower Wallpaper
Pepper Home Shop wallpaper →Curtains
Louisa Harbor Custom Curtain
Pepper Home Shop curtains →05
Matching wallpaper + curtain fabric
Commit to the same print
Using one print on both the walls and window treatments creates an immersive, distinctly English look. It works best when the rest of the room is edited: simple upholstery, quiet bedding, and only a few solid accent colors.
Wallpaper
CurtainsWallpaper
Brio Wallpaper in Pink
Sister Parish Design Shop wallpaper →Curtains
Brio Fabric in Pink
Sister Parish Design Shop curtains →CHOOSING THE CURTAIN COLOR
Look beyond the wallpaper’s background.
The background color is often the safest match, but it is not always the most interesting. Look at the smallest leaves, petals, outlines, or accent marks in the wallpaper. Repeating one of those secondary colors in the curtains makes the room feel connected without creating a matched set.
Compare undertones
Place the wallpaper and curtain samples together in daylight and lamplight. Warm cream can make cool white look gray; yellow-green can make blue-green feel disconnected.
Vary the value
If the wallpaper is pale, a slightly deeper curtain color can frame the window. If the paper is dark, lighter panels keep the room from feeling heavy.
Repeat it once more
Echo the curtain color in one small place, such as a pillow, lampshade, blanket, or artwork mat, so it feels like part of the whole room.
PATTERN SCALE
Think large, small, and quiet.
A useful layered room usually includes one dominant pattern, one smaller coordinating print, and one low-contrast or solid surface. Avoid pairing two motifs with nearly identical spacing and visual weight; they will compete even when the colors match.
COMMON MISTAKES
What makes a pairing feel too busy?
- Two patterns at the same scale. Similar-sized motifs tend to compete rather than layer.
- Matching color but ignoring undertone. A warm pink and a cool pink can feel less related than two different colors with the same warmth.
- Adding too many unrelated accent colors. Let the wallpaper establish the palette and repeat two or three of its colors throughout the room.
- Making every surface a statement. If the walls and curtains are patterned, allow the rug, major upholstery, or bedding to be quieter.
- Choosing plain white automatically. White curtains can work, but a soft color, narrow stripe, or contrast trim may create a more finished result.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wallpaper and curtain questions, answered.
Should curtains match the wallpaper background or the pattern?
Usually, pull a secondary color from the wallpaper rather than matching its background exactly. A secondary shade creates a visible connection while keeping the room from looking overly coordinated.
Can both the wallpaper and curtains be patterned?
Yes. Change the scale and structure of the patterns. For example, pair a loose floral with a narrow stripe or a small print with a larger check, then repeat at least one color across both.
What curtains work with busy wallpaper?
A solid curtain in a color taken from the wallpaper is the easiest choice. Add contrast trim or a decorative leading edge if the solid fabric needs more definition.
Can curtains and wallpaper use the exact same pattern?
They can. Matching wallpaper and fabric creates an immersive traditional look. Keep the rug, major upholstery, and bedding quieter so the repeated print remains intentional.
Do curtain and wallpaper undertones need to match?
Yes. Warm creams, pinks, and olive greens usually pair best with other warm tones, while crisp blues, grays, and blue-based greens feel more natural with cooler companions. Always view samples together in the room’s actual light.