A wallpaper pattern match refers to how the printed design aligns horizontally between two adjacent strips of wallpaper on the wall. There are essentially 3 different methods of matching the design. Understanding the match type is critical because it tells an installer exactly where to cut the rolls so that the design flows seamlessly across seams without looking mismatched or broken.
1. Straight/Side Match
The Concept: The design elements match perfectly in a straight, horizontal line across the seam.
How it Works: Every single strip lines up at exactly the same height at the ceiling line. If a flower sits at the left edge of one strip, its matching half sits at the exact same height on the right edge of the next strip.
Best For: Geometric shapes, large bold motifs, or horizontal borders.
Waste Level: Moderate, depending entirely on the vertical repeat size.
The Concept: The design elements align diagonally rather than straight across.
How it Works: To make the edges line up, every second strip must be dropped or shifted vertically by a specified distance (frequently exactly half the vertical repeat length). Odd-numbered panels will match each other, while even-numbered panels will match each other.
Best For: Large, intricate botanical patterns, damasks, or flowing trails.
Waste Level: Highest, requiring significant extra paper to manage the staggered shifts.
The Concept: The design has no overlapping or continuous elements across the edges.
How it Works: You can hang strips straight from the roll next to each other without aligning specific details.
Best For: Vertically striped patterns, textures, or completely plain wallpapers.
Waste Level: Lowest, as there is no discarded paper from matching motifs.
4. Murals.
Our murals come on a 70cm wide roll with 3 x pieces, which hang side by side. Once the tree pieces are placed together the design will repeat again, forming a much larger wallpaper design experience.
Not sure which match is right for your room, or how to hang it once it arrives? Our guide on how to hang wallpaper covers preparation and pasting step by step, and our FAQs answer common questions on rolls, delivery and trade accounts.
