We accomplished controlling mechanochromic properties of propionylated hydroxypropyl cellulose (PHPC)/synthetic polymer cholesteric liquid crystalline (ChLC) composites by combining PHPC bearing residual hydroxyl groups with various synthetic polymers. The presence of hydroxyl groups contributed to the effective immoibilization of ChLC structure in the composites by allowing the "moderate" compatibility as well as hydrogen bonding between PHPC and diverse synthetic polymers. The obtained composite films exhibited not only wide-ranging color change but also circular dichroic inversion by applying the compressive stress. A recovery of the color and circular dichroism was realized through post thermal treatments. A level of the stress and temperature for expressing these properties was successfully manipulated by varying combined synthetic polymers. Hence, our present work can give a designing guideline for the cellulose-based mechanochromic materials with extensive physical properties.