For many years in interior design circles it’s been fashionable to pretend that pattern is passé. There is a very big focus on texture, and a lot of neutrality. I love a lot of what I see on the market and am happy to offer designs that are pattern-free wallcoverings. A gorgeous wash of color on the wall is sexy and cool - it’s different than what most people are expecting from a wallcovering and I certainly get the appeal. Select the color(s) and with the right material it can be a very sophisticated look perfectly tailored to your project needs.
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(Hint – this dark color fade is gorgeous on WOWpapers’ Silver Metallic material.)
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In fact, WOWpapers will soon be introducing a line of Ombré Textures that a lot of designers and architects are going to go wild over. Who doesn’t get excited about a hot ombré!?
We can customize the color(s), number of gradations, height / width of the gradation sections, directions of the gradation, et cetera. 100% custom!!
Non-patterned wallcoverings are cool and stylish, no doubt. But let’s not forget about pattern. Some people may think of a patterned wallpaper as being old-fashioned, traditional, even outdated. Granted, that view is well supported by a lot of experience but designers like me want to remind the rest of us how powerful pattern repeat can be in an interior architectural environment.
Among the foundational elements of interior design (and design in general) few are as influential – or as frequently underappreciated – as pattern. Color, texture, form, and light are often presented as primary drivers of a spatial design, which they are. (I went to graduate school to study architectural lighting design, so nobody has to tell me about the importance of light.) Pattern, though, is the design element that can bring together many of the others.
Understanding the Foundations of Interior Design
Professional interior design is guided by a series of core elements that form the visual language of every space:
Space – Space refers to the physical area available for design. The interior environment inside the built elements – walls, ceilings and floor.
Line – Lines guide the eye and create visual structure within a room. I often say that basically everything in the design world can be distilled down to a study of lines.
Form – Form relates to the shape and mass of objects within a space, whether organic or inorganic.
Color – Color establishes mood, evokes emotion, and sets the atmosphere in a space or across spaces.
Light – Light brings to life all the colors, textures, and patterns within a space. Very little about the art of interior design can be appreciated in a blackened space with no light. It’s critical to get it right!
Pattern – Pattern introduces repetition, rhythm, and visual continuity.
Pattern represents far more than mere decoration; it is a strategic design device that helps organize visual information and - at WOWpapers in the way pattern is customized here - pattern enhances interior architecture. It can bring a space together.
An interior designer friend of mine used a couple of my custom wallpapers in a very long entrance hallway that runs 35 feet down the length of an apartment and he said the wallcoverings unified the whole apartment, bringing the rooms together. He also said that it turned the hallway into a room, whereas before it had just been a pathway.
Pattern and Design Principles in Interior Design
The principles of interior design govern how individual design elements work together. Pattern plays a central role in supporting almost all of these principles.
Balance – Balance creates visual stability. Repeated patterns can distribute visual weight throughout a room, establishing equilibrium and cohesion. A big bold pattern can also help balance a space with large art or big furniture pieces. I can talk endlessly about balance; it’s very important to me.
Rhythm – Perhaps no principle is more closely tied to pattern than rhythm. Through repetition and variation, pattern guides the eye through a space creating continuity. Well-executed rhythm transforms static environments into dynamic experiences.
Emphasis / Focus – Pattern is one of the most effective tools for establishing focal points. A so-called ‘feature wall,’ reception area, corridor or hospitality space can be enhanced through the strategic use of scale, contrast, and motif. Wallcoverings often serve as the primary visual anchor within a room.
Contrast – Sophisticated interiors often rely on contrast to create visual interest. Pattern can introduce contrast(s) through scale, geometry, texture, and or color creating depth and complexity without overwhelming a space.
Unity + Harmony – Patterns can tie together multiple design elements helping to create a cohesive environment. Custom wallcoverings often incorporate colors, branding elements, or thematic motifs that unify an entire project. (For instance: these WOWpapers’ Corollary patterns.)
Proportion + Scale – Pattern scale directly impacts our perception of the color(s) of the pattern and the whole space overall. Large scale patterns can add drama but also make an expansive space feel more intimate while small scale repeats can add visual texture without overwhelming a small space. Anyone who knows me knows I can go on and on about the importance of scale in a wallpaper pattern.
Why Wallcoverings Are Such an Effective Expression of Pattern
While pattern can be introduced through upholstery, rugs, and accessories, walls (and ceilings) offer the largest uninterrupted surfaces within most interiors. Among all the interior finishes a designer can specify wallcoverings provide the greatest opportunity to leverage pattern at scale. Unlike paint, which primarily contributes color (and texture), custom wallcoverings can simultaneously introduce pattern, color, texture, depth and narrative. They become architectural elements on their own. WOW, do I love wallpaper!
Creating Visual Architecture
Patterned wallcoverings establish structure within a space, defining zones, reinforcing circulation paths, and creating visual anchors that support the overall design strategy.
Reinforcing Brand Identity
In hospitality, corporate, retail, and even multifamily environments custom wallcoverings are increasingly used as storytelling tools. Patterned wallpaper communicates values, culture, and identity while creating memorable experiences for visitors and occupants.
Adding Dimension and Depth
Advanced printing technologies like we have at WOWpapers along with specialty materials allow designers to incorporate layered graphics, metallic effects, textured surfaces, and dimensional imagery that contribute richness beyond what typical finishes can achieve. I often look at spaces now and think they look unfinished when there are no wallcoverings.
Influencing Perception
Pattern can alter the perceived scale and proportions of a room. Pattern can make expansive spaces feel more intimate, narrow corridors appear wider, and otherwise unremarkable surfaces become points of engagement.
Delivering Long-Term Performance
Commercial-grade wallcoverings provide durability and maintain their visual integrity in high-traffic environments. This combination of performance and aesthetic impact make them an increasingly preferred specification across multiple market sectors.
Custom Design Flexibility
Modern digital printing technologies make it possible to create completely customized wallcovering patterns tailored to each specific project, brand identity, or architectural concept. We can make every single wallpaper experience unique to the space at very reasonable prices.
Creating Memorable Spaces With Pattern
The most successful interiors engage occupants emotionally and visually. Pattern contributes significantly to this experience by adding energy, rhythm, personality, and meaning to a space.
When thoughtfully integrated though custom wallcoverings, pattern becomes more than decoration – it becomes an essential tool that supports the principles and elements of interior design while enhancing the functionality and identity of an environment.
Pattern repeat also contributes to the longevity of a design. Because repeating patterns are rooted in timeless design principles they tend to remain relevant long after trends have faded. This makes custom wallcoverings featuring repeating pattern an excellent investment for both residential and commercial interiors.
Whether designing a luxury hotel, corporate headquarters, a healthcare facility, retail space, multifamily development, or a residential interior incorporating pattern through wallcovering will elevate a project from ordinary to unforgettable.
Get in contact so we can make your spaces say WOW.
