I think “too small” is relative. What look are you going for? A smaller repeat, IMO, might look more traditional. A larger repeat would look bolder and more modern. The colors would make a difference too,. That’s just my take on it, I’m not an expert.

I once put wallpaper up in a kitchen after taking a LONG time to decide, and discovered that you see the pattern IRL from 10 ft. away most of the time, not with the sample in your lap. What I thought was a medium sized print looked like mini print calico from across the room. Live and learn.

I’d go to a wallpaper store and take some books home. I used to prop them up on a chair back against the wall to get a look from further away (after the kitchen fiasco). Hold the pages open with a clothespin. Now that’s showing my age. Or a bag clip.

Thank you. We definitely lean toward a more traditional style, so that is why I think the Big bold patterns scare me a little bit!

As a follow-up question, does anybody recommend sticking with smaller scale patterns for small rooms like powder rooms? Is there any correlation at all? Or can you pretty much do whatever?

I think you can do whatever looks good to you. Powder rooms are a good place to go bold. I think a larger pattern can keep a traditional design from looking stodgy. Don’t know if there is a “rule” about this.