Wallpaper Pattern Repeat – Why Is It Important?
You’re diving into the world of wallpaper, browsing through different designs and colours, and the term “pattern repeat” keeps popping up. It seems to vary depending on the design, but what exactly is it, and why is it such an important factor?
If you’re puzzled, you’re in good hands – here’s everything you need to know about wallpaper pattern repeats.
What is a Pattern Repeat?
Put simply, a pattern repeat is the distance down a wallpaper strip before the design starts again. This repeat length can vary significantly depending on the design – some may repeat every 8 centimetres, others might stretch up to 60 centimetres or more, while some might not have a vertical repeat at all (we’ll get to those later).
Understanding the pattern repeat is crucial for a couple of reasons: it helps you visualise the design scale on your wall, but even more importantly, it determines how much wallpaper you’ll need and how much you’ll potentially waste. For instance, if you choose a design with a 25-centimetre repeat, you might lose up to that much on each drop, as you align each strip with the one before it. A 60-centimetre repeat may mean up to that amount wasted each time you match the design across the wall.
Ashley from @underthesycamore shares a great video explaining how pattern repeat played a part in her installation of the Geometric Illusions wallpaper, helping show how it works in real life.
Why Accurate Pattern Repeat Calculations Matter
Ensuring the correct pattern repeat is entered into any wallpaper calculator is key to ordering the right amount. Calculating based solely on wall area may leave you short, as it doesn’t factor in the wallpaper lost due to the repeat. If you run out partway through, any new roll might not perfectly match in colour, as each batch can have slight differences – a frustrating problem to avoid.
Murals and Horizontal Repeats
While most wallpapers use a vertical repeat, some murals repeat horizontally. For example, the South Asian Subcontinent tropical jungle mural repeats every three panels across but has no vertical repeat, as it features a single expansive image. To work out how much of this wallpaper you need, ensure your wall isn’t taller than the mural height (about 3 metres), then divide your wall width by 184.5 cm (the width of three panels). If your wall is 3.69m wide, you’d need two rolls (369 cm ÷ 184.5 cm = 2 rolls). Note: this calculation applies to this particular mural; other murals may differ, so check the specifications for each design.
Free Match Patterns and Minimal Waste
With Free Match designs, like stripes or wood-effect patterns (such as the White Washed Timber wallpaper), you don’t have to align the pattern between drops. You can simply hang each strip without matching it to the previous one, making it easier to use each roll fully with little to no wastage.
We highly recommend using our wallpaper calculator to make sure you order the right amount. Make sure the correct pattern repeat is filled in; it’s usually populated automatically from the design details, but it’s worth double-checking. You’ll find the repeat listed along with other key details like roll size and pattern match on each design page.
Now that you’re an expert on wallpaper pattern repeats, you’re ready to confidently shop and plan for a perfect wallpaper finish in your space!
