Why Does Pattern Matching Matter in Wallpaper?

Pattern matching means the design carries on without a break across strips hung side by side. Without it the seams are visible, a flower or a geometric shape is cut in half and the wall looks patched rather than whole.

What is a pattern repeat?

The repeat is the distance after which the design repeats along the roll; it is given in centimetres on the label. There are two kinds. With a straight match the pattern starts at the same height on every strip. With an offset match the next strip starts half a repeat lower; the label reads, for example, "64/32": the design repeats every 64 cm and the strip is shifted by 32 cm.

How does it affect the number of rolls?

To line the pattern up, a piece is cut off each strip and thrown away. The bigger the repeat, the more waste: in a room with a 2.40 m ceiling a plain paper gives four strips per roll, while a design with a 64 cm repeat gives three. So when buying patterned paper, add the repeat to the strip length in your calculation.

What matters during hanging?

• The first strip is hung against a plumb or laser line, not against the corner.
• Strips are laid side by side on the floor and checked before cutting.
• The most eye-catching motif is positioned so that it is not cut off at the ceiling.
• Short pieces above doors and windows continue in the same sequence.

Do plain wallpapers need pattern matching?

Plain, single-colour papers are free match, so nothing has to line up. Some textured plains carry a reverse-hang mark, though: every other strip is hung upside down to avoid shading.

Large patterns with an offset match are where most mistakes happen. Erdağ Yapı's installers keep the pattern matched across the whole wall during wallpaper installation.