Are you worried that your interior design looks rather plain and boring? Do you want to add some oomph to the (rather dull) solid colour theme in your home?
If your answer to the questions above is yes, it is time you use patterns in home décor.
For those who are new to the world of interior design, incorporating different patterns and prints into your living space may feel like a challenge. However, since it is the only way to give your space a whimsical touch and make it look like something you would only see in high-end home décor magazines, you must take this leap of faith and learn as much as possible about how to mix and match patterns in your home.
To help you make the best decision for your home, we have put together a guide that will walk you through the basics of how to decorate your home with various patterns.
So, without further ado, let’s begin.
How to Flawlessly Use Patterns in Home Décor
Whether you are fond of traditional décor or have an affinity for contemporary design, here are some of the best ways to mix patterns and prints when decorating your home.
Pick a Colour Palette That Suits Your Style
One of the biggest challenges of mixing patterns in interior design is figuring out which prints and designs will look good together and which ones will clash horribly. However, before you start worrying about different patterns and how they might complement your personal style, try to decide on a colour palette that will brighten your space while making it look elegant.
You must also determine if you want to opt for warmer tones or cooler tones. Since every hue has a range of warm and cool tones, consider choosing a maximum of two main colours and around one or two accent colours to incorporate a pop of character into your home décor.
Choose Matching Patterns for a Cohesive Look
If you don’t want your space to look confusing or overwhelming, you should consider choosing patterns and prints that are somewhat similar. Experts suggest picking one, two, or three distinct patterns in at least three different sizes. Each pattern must have a similar feel but they should all fall under the same category.
The three most common types of patterns that work really well together are floral, stripe, and polka dot. Alternatively, if you want to take things a step further, you can decorate your home with the pattern group that includes herringbone, stripes, and paisley.
Give Patterns Some Space to Breathe
Refrain from crowding your space with a variety of patterns. Although it may seem tempting to make your room look unique with a diverse range of designs, it is always recommended to pair plain with prints to give patterns some space to breathe.
For instance, if you have covered your headboard with a floral fabric and chosen a printed bedsheet for the mattress, please make sure to use plain fabric for the pillows and cushions. Similarly, if you have a plain couch, you may want to decorate it with cushions of different designs and sizes. The key here is to exercise restraint and keep yourself from incorporating too much pattern into your home décor.
In addition, mixing fabrics when decorating is also a good idea, as it gives your space a hint of versatility without looking incohesive.
Create a Balance with Prints and Patterns
Have you entered a room and immediately felt overwhelmed by its décor? If this has happened to you, you likely don’t want others to have the same experience when they visit your home.
When decorating rooms with patterns, one should strive to strike a balance between different colours and prints. For instance, while mixing patterns in the living room, please remember that they may only work beautifully on one or two windows. However, if your room has a row of three or four big windows covered with patterned curtains, it will make your space look too busy and visually cluttered. In situations like this, one should use patterns somewhere else, like on the couch.
That being said, do not be afraid to mix and match patterns in your home. If you have the confidence to put together what you like and feel comfortable with, then there is a good chance it will work for others as well.
Use Neutral Colours as Base for Larger Prints
Combining bold or large prints with neutral base colours can make your home décor look tasteful and elegant.
The rule of thumb is to start with a neutral colour on the walls and flooring before incorporating a few layers of bold prints in key pieces of furniture, wallpaper, or rug. Next, decorate your space with a neutral-coloured sofa set, dining table and chairs, and ottomans to neutralise the space. Following this tried-and-tested formula would ensure that bold patterns work seamlessly with the subdued neutral tones.
Moreover, if you want to use patterns in home décor, please note that they work best in touches. In other words, patterns should accentuate the existing furniture instead of serving as the main attraction. In simpler terms, you should consider choosing plain fabrics for big expanses of furniture.
Incorporate a Variety of Scales
One of the best ways to use patterns in home décor is to play with scales. To make your space look visually appealing, try to combine large-scale patterns with small-scale prints while ensuring the colour scheme doesn’t stray too far from the chosen palette.
If you are having a hard time figuring out which patterns to select for your décor, consider selecting the large-scale prints for dominant pieces in the room, such as the rug or window treatment. You can then use smaller-scale patterns for throw pillows and table runners. Moreover, consider using two to three varieties of scales to give your room a more dynamic look. Doing so will also add some depth to your interior décor, thus giving your space an inviting and comfortable feel.
Enliven with Geometric Patterns
Have you ever wondered what pattern goes with geometric print? The answer is every pattern. If you want to give your room a soft touch, you can incorporate some floral along with your geometric things. However, if you want to ensure your space looks minimal and sophisticated, you can use geometric prints to spruce up your monochromatic colour palette.
Geometric prints tend to be visually heavy, which means they can become the focal point of any room. Therefore, if you want it to tie together your colour palette, you may want to invest in an area rug with large geometric prints. It will anchor your interior design without making your space look too overwhelming.
To offset the rigidity of straight lines and simple curves, you can think about mixing geometric and floral patterns as it will introduce more texture to your room.
Mix Patterns at Your Own Pace
Whether you have moved into a new home or want to give your space a complete makeover, it is important to take your time and relish the experience. To perfectly use patterns in home décor, you may have to experiment with different prints and colours to see which of them suits your room the best.
While it may seem like a good idea to rush through things, many experts believe that planning and decorating a room should be a pleasant experience. You should enjoy shopping for various prints and do what you feel is right.
If you are worried about mixing patterns in the living room, try mixing up different prints now and then to find your favourite combination. Although it is important to use the rules mentioned above, you can always try and mix them up now and then to create a unique and delightful look.
Here are a few more tips on how to decorate your home with patterns:
- Don’t choose more than three colours in one room
- Use only one large-scale pattern as your showstopper
- Choose two to three small-scale patterns to complement the show-stopping fabric in your room
- Select medium or small-scale patterns for accent pillows and other smaller items
- Stripes also work well with zigzag patterns, while polka dots work well with graphic or busy patterns
There you have it, a complete guide to flawlessly mixing patterns in interior design. If you found this blog interesting, here are a few more guides that may come in handy.
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- Lighting Ideas for a Brighter Dining Room
- Creative Window Sill Ideas for a Stylish and Functional Home
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