Choosing the perfect wallpaper: luxury, atmosphere and practicality

Choosing the right wallpaper can be quite a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to express your personal style and elevate the ambiance of your home. Whether you want to create a calm, serene bedroom or a statement wall in the living room, the right combination of material, color, and pattern can transform a wall into a truly atmospheric piece. This article provides clear steps and practical tips for choosing wallpaper that suits your space, your interior, and your daily use.

Which type of wallpaper do you choose?

The first step is determining which type of wallpaper best suits your space. This isn't just about maintenance and application, but also about the look and feel: do you want a calm base, a warm texture, added luxury, or a practical finish that can withstand wear and tear? The type of wallpaper determines the look, the tactility, and how light plays on the wall.

Non-woven wallpaper is a popular choice because it's durable, breathable, and tear-resistant. You paste the wall (not the wallpaper), making installation quick and easy. The result is sleek and timeless: ideal if you're looking for a luxurious base that works in virtually any room.

Vinyl wallpaper is stronger and often easy to clean. This makes it a logical choice for heavily used spaces like the hallway, dining room, or kitchen. Vinyl is especially interesting if ease of maintenance and durability are important, without compromising style.

Fabric wallpaper instantly adds warmth and depth. It gives a room a softer, richer look and often feels more comfortable (including acoustically). Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, or a stylish office where ambiance and comfort are just as important as functionality.

Natural materials like sisal, cork, or grasscloth add a unique, handcrafted character. You can see and feel the texture, instantly bringing a wall to life and luxury. This type of wallpaper is ideal when you're looking for a natural, high-quality look—for example, in a dining room, lounge area, or entryway—and want the wall to truly be part of the experience.

Tip: choose your wallpaper type on two axes:

• Practical: removable, impact-resistant, suitable for moisture or intensive use

• Ambience: structure, softness, luxurious appearance and how the space feels
  This way you make a choice that is not only practical, but also visually correct for the function of the room.

Determine the atmosphere you want to create

Color plays a crucial role in the look and feel of your interior, but texture and materials determine the atmosphere just as much. Do you want a calm, minimalist base or a rich, warm look? Light shades make a room feel larger and airier, while dark colors create an intimate, cozy feel. Add a visible texture—like linen, grasscloth, or cork—and the wall instantly gains depth and luxury.

Tip: Consider the room's function and the feeling you want to evoke. In the living room, a warm texture or soft pattern is inviting; in the bedroom, muted, calming tones and subtle textures are ideal for relaxation. In a hallway or kitchen, you often want the same atmosphere, but with a greater focus on ease of cleaning and durability.

Choose a pattern that suits your style

Patterns can transform the entire look of a room. From botanical prints and geometric shapes to classic motifs or abstract designs, the right pattern adds character. Pay attention not only to the design but also to the background. A subtle pattern on a textile-like texture, for example, feels softer and more luxurious than the same pattern on a plain base. And with natural materials, a subtle weave can be enough to make a wall special—even without a bold print.

Tip: Unsure about patterns? Combine confidence with boldness. For example, choose a timeless base (tone-on-tone, subtle texture, linen look) and make one wall a statement. This way, the overall look remains calm and chic, while still giving the room personality.

Pay attention to the size of the room

The size of the room influences how wallpaper "feels." In small spaces, light colors and subtle patterns often work best, but delicate textures can also be beautiful: they add luxury without visually shrinking the room. In larger spaces, you can opt for deeper colors, a larger pattern, or a bold texture to make the space feel warmer and more balanced.

Tip:

• Small but need ambiance? Choose a light, richly textured room (linen look or refined weave).

• Big and cold? Go for a darker shade, larger print, or natural texture to instantly create more warmth.

Think about the combination with furniture and accessories

Wallpaper never stands alone: ​​it's the backdrop for your furniture, lighting, and accessories. The goal is for wallpaper to complement rather than compete. Do you have a lot of art on your walls? Then a more subdued wallpaper with a beautiful texture is often perfect: it adds depth without distracting. If your furniture is more understated and understated, wallpaper with a bold pattern or natural texture can complete the room and add character.

Tip: think in layers:

• Base: floor + large furniture

• Middle layer: wallpaper (color, pattern, texture)

• Accent layer: accessories, art and lighting
  Is your base already busy? Choose softer, more subtle wallpaper. Is your base calm? Then the wallpaper can be the focal point.

Request samples before you choose

With luxury wallpaper, color, sheen, and texture are just as important as the design—and you only truly experience that in your own space. Daylight, artificial light, and shadow can significantly alter the look. That's why it's always wise to request samples. Through Selected Wallpapers, you can easily order samples so you can appreciate the wallpaper at different times of day and in combination with your furniture and materials.

Tip: Place the sample in multiple locations (for example, near a window and in a darker corner) and examine it both during the day and in the evening with the lights on. Pay particular attention to the texture of the material: does it feel warm, soft, natural, or sleek? This often determines whether it truly suits your space.

Summary: How to choose the right wallpaper

Choosing the right wallpaper doesn't have to be a challenge if you take it step by step. Start with the type of wallpaper that suits the room and its intended use, then determine the desired ambiance (color and texture), choose a pattern that complements your interior style, and consider the scale of the room. Ensure the wallpaper harmonizes with your furniture and accessories—and finish with samples to ensure the color, material, and look are right for your interior. This way, you can choose wallpaper that's not only practical but also creates the right atmosphere.