6 Tips for Mixing Patterns in the Home

1. Choose Your Focal Point Pattern First

Adding multiple patterns to your space requires some planning. Start with a focal pattern for the selected room. This should be a decently sized pattern, with colors you love. While you may select a wallpaper or piece of furniture, don’t forget area rugs and curtains as other potential sources for a beautiful pattern. This pattern will be the inspiration for the rest of the room, so be sure you really love it.

2. Select Supportive Patterns

Once you have your main pattern, you can begin to choose patterns that work with it. If there is a collection of fabrics, for example, you may wish to use the entire collection. Otherwise, look for options that look great with the original piece, which may or may not include some elements from the original!

3. Limit the Color Palette

Things can get a bit crazy if you mix and match more than two or three colors, so it’s usually a good idea to stick to a simpler palette. That being said, you can certainly use different shades of the same colors to create a varied look and to prevent a monotone space.

4. Pick Dots and Stripes

Once you have your main pattern, whatever you’ve chosen, it’s usually a good idea to look for something dotted and something striped to go with that main pattern. This doesn’t mean literal dots and lines, though. Get creative and find fabrics and rugs that have patterns that loosely represent spots or stripes. If you have a main pattern, plus a somewhat striped option and a sort of polka dot option, you’ll have patterns that work well together, yet give enough variety to make them interesting.

5. Shrink Your Patterns

A great way to ensure your patterns complement each other is to choose a larger design for your focal fabric or paper, and then opt for smaller patterns to work with it. For example, a large leafy pattern will look amazing with smaller floral dots or lines of green vines on a pillow. By selecting smaller designs, you keep the focus on the original pattern.

6. Paint Last

Finally, don’t choose your paint until you have your color palette set with the patterns. It’s simpler to find paint colors to match your fabric than vice versa. This is particularly important if you are using patterns in multiple rooms of the home and want to blend them with a common color.

It may be tempting to do everything in a rush and finish the space rapidly, but if you take your time, you’re bound to find just the right items to add to your space. Once you have the main patterns and colors set, you can start to add in smaller items that pull the entire look together.

Patterns can be a wonderful change from the typical solid colors in a home. Don’t be afraid to play with a few different options to come up with the perfect décor for your home. Use throws, pillows, curtains, rugs, and furniture to bring everything together and you’ll soon have a space that exhibits your personality.