{"id":249332,"date":"2026-01-17T09:41:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T09:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/249332\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T09:41:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T09:41:13","slug":"home-help-i-love-the-idea-of-wallpaper-but-im-nervous-about-bold-designs-how-do-i-get-the-balance-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/249332\/","title":{"rendered":"Home help: I love the idea of wallpaper but I\u2019m nervous about bold designs. How do I get the balance right?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nDarren Kennedy asks Catherine Miller, co-founder of wallpaper specialists Curate Space, for some tips\n<\/p>\n

\"Wallpaper<\/p>\n

Wallpaper used in the backs of shelving units or alcoves can add depth and interest. Photo: Victoriia Kovalchuk<\/p>\n

\"Catherine<\/p>\n

Catherine Miller, co-founder of wallpaper specialists Curate Space, curatespace.com<\/p>\n

\"Patterned<\/p>\n

Patterned wallpaper adds depth to shelving units<\/p>\n

\"Darren<\/p>\n

Darren Kennedy<\/p>\n

Wallpaper can be intimidating, but with the right approach, it\u2019s pure personality for your walls. Catherine Miller, co-founder of Curate Space \u2014 a UK design studio specialising in hand-painted, sustainable wallpaper \u2014 says it\u2019s completely natural to feel hesitant.<\/p>\n

\u201cWallpaper is such a wonderful way to bring warmth, texture and personality into your home,\u201d she says. \u201cBut the key is to start small, experiment thoughtfully and focus on creating harmony through colour and tone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Catherine<\/p>\n

Catherine Miller, co-founder of wallpaper specialists Curate Space, curatespace.com<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to pattern, Miller suggests beginning in a space that feels less daunting.<\/p>\n

\u201cA downstairs loo, a hallway or another smaller area is the perfect place to be a little more playful with design. A bold print can make a big impact without overwhelming the rest of your home, and it gives you the chance to live with pattern and see how it makes you feel before using it elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

She is also a fan of using wood panelling to strike the right balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdding wallpaper above the panelling naturally breaks up the wall and creates a balance between colour, texture and pattern,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt gives the wallpaper space to shine while keeping the overall look calm and considered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wallpaper doesn\u2019t have to be reserved for entire rooms either.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love when people use wallpaper in more unexpected ways, like on the backs of shelving units or inside alcoves. It\u2019s a clever way to introduce pattern in a smaller area, adding depth and interest without dominating the room. It\u2019s these little touches that make a space feel thoughtful and layered.<\/p>\n

\"Patterned<\/p>\n

Patterned wallpaper adds depth to shelving units<\/p>\n

For anyone still unsure, Miller suggests trying pattern through textiles first.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpholstering a chair or stool, or adding patterned cushions or blinds in a coordinating design, is a lovely way to ease yourself in. Once you\u2019ve seen a print you love in a smaller detail, you\u2019ll feel more confident using it more boldly.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those wanting something unique, bespoke design services are available at the likes of Curate Space.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery wallpaper or fabric can be customised from colour and scale to entirely new, one-of-a-kind creations. Working with clients to design something from scratch means every piece feels personal and perfectly balanced for their space.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, Miller says, pattern should feel joyful, not intimidating.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about self-expression. Start small, trust your instincts with colour and have fun creating a home that feels uniquely yours.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Darren Kennedy asks Catherine Miller, co-founder of wallpaper specialists Curate Space, for some tips Wallpaper used in the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":249333,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[125036,6358,61,60,125039,125037,80,125038],"class_list":["post-249332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-namedarren-kennedy","tag-brandsindependent-ie","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-ishiddenfalse","tag-slugdarren-kennedy","tag-technology","tag-uuid3deefbf4-f1bc-4e98-b7a9-0820ee5dd34a"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249332\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}