What Is Custom Wallpaper?
Custom wallpaper is wallcovering that has been created or adapted to suit the specific requirements of a space or project. This can mean developing custom artwork for a particular interior or tailoring an existing design from the collection. Customisation gives designers, architects and homeowners greater flexibility over how a wallpaper looks and works within a space.
At Feathr, custom wallpaper can involve:
- Custom artwork — Creating artwork specifically for a project, based on the desired style, concept, colour palette and requirements of the space.
- Colour — Adjusting the colour palette of a design to coordinate with an interior scheme, brand palette or specific materials.
- Scale — Increasing or reducing the scale of a design to better suit the proportions of the room.
- Composition — Adjusting the placement or arrangement of design elements to achieve the desired visual effect.
- Layout and dimensions — Tailoring mural artwork to the measurements of a particular wall and considering architectural features such as doors, windows and built-in furniture.
- Material and finish — Where suitable, selecting from Feathr’s wallcovering materials and finishes according to the visual and practical requirements of the project.
The level of customisation can vary considerably from one project to another. Some projects may only require a simple colour or scale adjustment, while others may involve creating new artwork or making more extensive changes to the composition, layout or overall presentation of a design.
This flexibility makes custom wallpaper particularly useful for interiors where the wallcovering needs to work closely with the architecture and wider design scheme. Rather than treating wallpaper as a fixed decorative element, the artwork, colours, scale and layout can all be considered as part of the overall interior, helping the finished wallcovering feel naturally integrated into the space.
What Elements of Wallpaper Can Be Customised?
Wallpaper can be customised at several levels, from a simple colour adjustment to the creation of entirely new artwork. At Feathr, the four main areas of customisation are colour, scale, layout and artwork.
Colour
Feathr designs can be recoloured to work with a specific interior palette. This could involve changing the background, adjusting individual colours within the artwork or developing an entirely new colourway to coordinate with furniture, fabrics, finishes or brand colours.
Scale
The scale of a design can be increased or reduced to suit the proportions of the room and viewing distance. A larger scale can give an existing pattern a more dramatic, architectural presence, while a smaller scale can create a more detailed and continuous effect.
Layout
For murals and large-scale artwork, Feathr can adapt the composition to the architecture of the space. Key elements can be repositioned around doors, windows, furniture, headboards, banquettes or other permanent features, helping ensure important details remain visible.
Artwork
If an existing Feathr design does not achieve the required result, completely bespoke artwork can be created specifically for the project. This can respond to the architecture, interior concept, location, brand or a creative brief supplied by the designer.
The level of customisation can therefore be as simple or extensive as the project requires. A subtle colour change may be enough for one interior, while another may benefit from a fully bespoke composition developed specifically for its walls.
What Measurements Are Needed for Custom Wallpaper?
Accurate measurements are particularly important for made-to-measure wallpaper and murals.
For each wall, provide the full width and full height, together with information about significant architectural features such as:
- doors
- windows
- alcoves
- sloping ceilings
- adjoining walls
- fireplaces
- built-in cabinetry
- other fixed architectural elements
For multiple adjoining walls, measure each wall individually rather than treating the room as a single continuous measurement.
Provide the complete wall dimensions rather than only measuring the visible area you expect the artwork to cover. This allows the appropriate production allowance and layout to be determined during preparation of the wallpaper.
For unusual or complicated spaces, photographs, elevations or architectural drawings can also help communicate how the wall relates to the rest of the interior.
Can Custom Wallpaper Be Designed Around Doors and Windows?
Yes. One of the key advantages of custom wallpaper is the ability to adapt the artwork to the architecture rather than simply cropping a design to fit the available wall.
At Feathr, custom mural layouts can be planned around doors, windows, fireplaces, headboards, cabinetry, staircases, sloping ceilings, lighting and permanent furniture. This allows important elements of the artwork to be positioned where they will have the greatest visual impact.
For example, the focal point of a landscape mural can be moved above or beside a piece of furniture rather than disappearing behind it. Botanical branches can be composed around a window, while figures or other significant details can be repositioned away from doorways and built-in cabinetry.
This becomes particularly valuable with large-scale scenic and artistic murals, where the relationship between the artwork and the architecture contributes to the overall composition.
For the best result, provide Feathr with as much information about the wall as possible. Dimensions, photographs, elevations, plans and the positions of fixed features can all be used to develop a layout that feels intentionally designed for the space.
How Do You Choose the Scale of Custom Wallpaper?
Scale has a significant influence on how wallpaper interacts with a room. The same design can feel bold and architectural at a large scale or intricate and rhythmic at a smaller scale, making it one of the most effective elements to adjust when customising wallpaper.
Increasing the scale gives individual details greater presence and can make the design feel more like artwork integrated into the architecture. Reducing it brings more of the pattern into view, creating greater repetition and a more detailed overall surface.
There is no need to follow traditional rules such as “small room equals small pattern.” An oversized botanical or abstract design can make a compact powder room feel immersive, while a smaller repeat can bring continuity to a large hotel, restaurant or residential space.
Instead, consider viewing distance, ceiling height, furniture placement and the amount of unobstructed wall. A mural viewed from across a large lobby will behave very differently from wallpaper experienced at close range in a hallway.
With Feathr’s customisation service, the scale of an existing design can be adjusted specifically for the project, allowing the artwork to respond to the proportions and intended atmosphere of the interior rather than treating its original scale as fixed.
Can Wallpaper Be Matched to an Interior Colour Scheme?
Custom colour allows wallpaper to coordinate more closely with the materials already selected for an interior.
Designers can provide references such as:
- paint colours
- fabric swatches
- material samples
- moodboards
- existing interior finishes
- other visual colour references
These can help establish the intended direction for the customised artwork.
A company’s brand palette might influence a commercial project, while a residential design could be adjusted to coordinate with upholstery, cabinetry, paint or flooring.
It is important, however, not to rely on screens for final colour approval. Colours displayed on laptops, phones and monitors vary according to the device and its settings, and a digital image cannot reproduce the texture or reflective characteristics of the finished wallcovering.
A physical sample is therefore an important part of approving customised colours.
Which Material Should Custom Wallpaper Be Printed On?
The artwork and the wallcovering material should be treated as two separate specification decisions.
A design may look suitable for a project, but the material also needs to perform appropriately in the intended location. Consider:
- appearance and texture
- expected traffic
- durability
- cleaning requirements
- fire performance
- environmental requirements
- residential or commercial use
Feathr offers several materials for different applications.
Easy-Hang non-woven wallpaper provides a smooth matt, PVC-free surface for residential and lower-contact decorative applications.
Heavy Vinyl is a contract-grade 350 gsm wallcovering with an embossed canvas-like texture. Its super-washable, spill- and stain-resistant surface makes it suitable for more demanding commercial environments.
Type II PVC-Free wallcovering provides contract-grade durability with a smooth matt finish. It is fabric-backed, washable, stain repellent and currently carries a USA Class A ASTM E84 fire rating.
Textile wallcovering provides a softer, tactile canvas-like surface and is washable and PVC-free.
Luxury Metallic wallcoverings are available in Gold, Silver and Bronze finishes for projects where reflectivity and visual impact form part of the design.
The most appropriate material should be selected according to both the desired finish and the technical requirements of the project.
Does Custom Wallpaper for Commercial Projects Need a Different Specification?
Custom wallpaper for hotels, restaurants, offices and other commercial interiors may need to meet additional performance requirements compared with a typical residential installation.
Depending on the project and location, these can include:
- increased durability
- greater cleanability
- fire-performance requirements
- material composition
- environmental or emissions requirements
- specific installation requirements
- replacement stock
A custom design should therefore not be approved independently of its material specification.
A hotel corridor, for example, may require a more durable wallcovering than a hotel bedroom feature wall, even if both use the same customised artwork. Similarly, a restaurant banquette and a private dining room may require different materials despite sharing one design language.
For commercial projects, establish the technical requirements early in the customisation process. This allows colour, scale and artwork to be developed alongside an appropriate wallcovering material rather than discovering later that the selected specification does not meet the project’s requirements.
How Is Custom Wallpaper Artwork Prepared?
The custom wallpaper process begins with information about the space and the result you want to achieve. Depending on the project, this might involve a simple colour adjustment or a completely bespoke piece of artwork.
A typical Feathr customisation process follows these stages:
1. Brief and dimensions
Provide the wall dimensions, preferred Feathr design and details of the required colour, scale or layout changes. Include information about doors, windows, fixed furniture and other architectural features where relevant.
2. Artwork adaptation
The Feathr design team prepares the customised artwork according to the brief and dimensions.
3. Digital preview
A digital preview allows the composition, scale and positioning of the artwork to be reviewed before production.
4. Adjustments
Where necessary, the artwork can be refined following feedback.
5. Physical sample
A sample allows the customised artwork to be evaluated on the selected wallcovering material.
6. Final approval
The artwork, colour, material and dimensions are confirmed.
7. Production
Once approved, the wallcovering can move into production.
Providing accurate information at the beginning helps make the process straightforward and reduces the need for changes later.
Why Should Custom Wallpaper Be Sampled?
A physical sample provides information that a digital preview cannot.
Digital proofs are useful for checking the composition, approximate colour direction, scale and positioning of the artwork. However, screens cannot accurately reproduce the final colour, texture or reflective characteristics of a physical wallcovering.
A sample allows you to assess:
- colour
- pattern scale
- print quality
- wallcovering material
- surface texture
- level of reflectivity
- metallic effects
- interaction with surrounding light
Sampling becomes particularly important when colours have been customised or when the design will be printed on a textured or metallic material.
For interior designers and architects, the sample can also be reviewed alongside the wider project material palette before final approval.
How Should a Custom Wallpaper Sample Be Evaluated?
Whenever possible, evaluate the sample in the room where the wallpaper will eventually be installed.
Position it vertically against the wall and view it at different times of day. Compare it with nearby paint colours, fabrics, flooring, cabinetry and furniture finishes.
Look at the sample in both natural daylight and the artificial lighting intended for the finished interior. This is especially important with dark colourways and metallic materials, which can change significantly depending on the direction, intensity and temperature of the light.
If the project is still under construction, assess the sample alongside approved material samples and the proposed lighting specification.
What Should Be Checked Before Custom Wallpaper Goes Into Production?
Final approval is the opportunity to check both the creative and technical details of the wallcovering.
Before approving production, confirm:
Wall dimensions are correct
Artwork orientation is correct
Pattern or artwork scale is approved
Colour and physical sample are approved
Wallcovering material is approved
Doors and windows have been accounted for
Important artwork elements are correctly positioned
Panel layout is confirmed where applicable
Required quantity is confirmed
For complex projects, the designer, supplier and installer should all be working from the latest approved dimensions and artwork information.
Changes to wall dimensions or architectural features after approval may affect the layout, so communicate any alterations before production begins.
Does Custom Wallpaper Require Specialist Installation?
Installation requirements depend on the wallcovering material, artwork and complexity of the space.
The walls should be correctly prepared and the appropriate adhesive and installation method used for the selected material. Made-to-measure murals also require careful alignment so that the artwork flows correctly between panels.
Installers should follow the installation instructions supplied for the wallcovering, including guidance on seams, trimming and panel sequence where applicable.
For complex murals, unusual architecture or larger commercial projects, involving an experienced wallpaper installer before final production is recommended. The installer can assess the substrate and wall condition, review measurements and identify potential installation issues before the wallpaper is printed.
Should You Order Extra Custom Wallpaper?
Additional wallcovering can be useful where there is a reasonable likelihood that part of the installation may need to be replaced in the future.
This is particularly worth considering for commercial interiors, high-contact locations and spaces likely to undergo future alterations. Damage can occur through furniture, maintenance, renovations or changes to electrical installations and other building services.
Replacement stock can also be valuable for customised wallcoverings because reproducing material at a later date may involve production variation.
There is no single additional quantity that is appropriate for every project. Consider the application, expected level of wear and how difficult individual areas would be to replace when deciding whether spare material should form part of the original order.
What Is the Custom Wallpaper Process and Lead Time?
The timeline depends on the level of customisation. Small adjustments to an existing Feathr design, such as changing the colour, scale or layout, can usually be completed within 1–2 working days.
For larger bespoke designs or completely new artwork, we recommend allowing 1–2 weeks for design development and feedback rounds.
The process generally follows:
Brief & measurements → Artwork development → Digital preview → Feedback & revisions → Physical sample → Approval → Production → Delivery
For projects with fixed installation or opening dates, contact Feathr early in the design process to allow sufficient time for sampling, production and delivery.
Is Custom Wallpaper More Expensive Than Standard Wallpaper?
Custom wallpaper is a very cost-effective way to personalise your space. Most adjustments can be done without any extra cost. The final price of a custom wallcovering is primarily determined by the wallcovering material and the overall order volume.
Most customisation — including changes to colour, scale and layout, and in many cases even the creation of completely bespoke artwork — can be carried out without additional design fees.
Other factors, such as physical sampling or particularly complex artwork development, may affect the final cost. We review each brief individually and confirm any additional costs before the project moves forward.
Custom Wallpaper in Practice
Real projects are one of the clearest ways to demonstrate what custom wallpaper can achieve. Ideally, examples should show different levels of customisation rather than three variations of the same process.
| Type of Customisation | Project Requirement | What Was Customised | Material | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Colour | Coordinate the wallpaper with the interior palette. | An existing Feathr design was recoloured to complement the project’s colours, finishes and furnishings. | Choose any material from our range | A tailored colourway that integrates naturally with the wider interior scheme. |
| Custom Scale or Layout | Adapt an existing wallpaper design to the architecture of the space. | The scale, placement or composition of the artwork was adjusted around architectural features, furniture or the dimensions of the wall. | Choose any material from our range | A design proportioned and positioned specifically for the space. |
| Completely Bespoke Artwork | Create a unique wallcovering specifically for the interior. | Original artwork was developed from the project brief rather than adapting an existing Feathr design. | Choose any material from our range | A one-of-a-kind wallcovering created specifically for the project and its surroundings. |
Using before-and-after artwork, digital layouts and photographs of the completed interiors would make these examples particularly useful.
Custom Wallpaper Specification Checklist
Providing the relevant project information at the beginning makes it easier to prepare accurate artwork, select the appropriate material and establish the project requirements.
| Project Information | Details to Provide |
|---|---|
| Project name | Name or reference for the project |
| Wall dimensions | Width and height of each wall to be covered |
| Design | Selected wallpaper or mural design |
| Colourway | Existing colourway or preferred palette |
| Colour changes | Any colours that need to be adjusted or matched |
| Scale | Preferred scale or any required changes to the existing design |
| Material | Preferred wallcovering material, if already specified |
| Architectural features | Position and dimensions of doors, windows, alcoves or other features |
| Fixed furniture | Built-in cabinetry, headboards, counters or other permanent elements |
| Artwork positioning | Any motifs or areas of the artwork that need specific placement |
| Project type | Residential, hospitality, office, retail or other commercial space |
| Technical requirements | Required fire rating, durability, washability or other performance criteria |
| Quantity | Required wallcovering quantity, if known |
| Installation date | Planned date for wallpaper installation |
| Delivery date | Date by which the wallcovering needs to arrive |
| Replacement stock | Whether additional material should be supplied for future repairs or replacement |
| Project contact | Designer, architect, contractor or other relevant project contact |
For more complicated architecture, it is also helpful to provide photographs, elevations, floor plans or annotated drawings. These can clarify dimensions, architectural features and the intended positioning of the artwork.
Providing this information at the beginning of a project makes it easier to prepare accurate artwork, select an appropriate material and ensure the finished wallpaper works with the architecture—not simply within the dimensions of the wall.
Have a Custom Wallpaper Project?
Custom wallpaper can range from a subtle adjustment to an existing design to completely original artwork created around a particular interior. The process begins by understanding the wall, architecture, visual direction and performance requirements before developing and sampling the final design.
Send Feathr your wall dimensions, preferred design and any colours, materials or architectural details you’d like us to consider. Our design team can help adapt the artwork to your space and prepare a preview and sample before production.
