Decorating with Patterns: Pro Tips for Creating a Cohesive Look

Would you like to have a well decorated home but are afraid of mixing too many different patterns together?

Pattern mixing can be challenging if you don't have a solid foudation.

Here are some interior designer tips & tricks for how to decorate your home using several different patterns.

 

large scale patternDining room with multiple bold patterns - AI-assisted image | Human-editedLarge Scale
Start decorating your room by selecting one large scale patterned item to be your foundation pattern.

Your large scale patterned item can be a rug, curtains, simple patterned artwork, a bold wallpaper, or an occasional chair.

Pro designer tip - this item usually (but not always) sets the color scheme for the entire room, so make sure you love the colors.

Use caution if using more than one large scale pattern in your room because it may make your room feel busy, overwhelming, and not restful. 

The patterned item is a focal point in your room, so feel free to be bold. 

 
 
medium scale patternBedroom with many patterns - AI-assisted image | Human-editedMedium Scale
Add to your room by adding at least one object with a medium scale pattern.
 
Consider using an ottoman, bed covering, large pillows, a patterned piece of furniture, or a blanket.
 
This object or objects should have a pattern that incorporates the colors of the large scale pattern or complements the large scale item colors.
 
The medium scale object(s) does not have to have all of the colors of your large scale item, but it usually has at least one or two.
 
This item is not as bold as your focal point large scale item, but it still demands some attention.
 

 
 

small scale patternLiving room with several complementary patterned items - AI-assisted image | Human-editedSmall Scale
Finish decorating your room using items with a smaller scale pattern that complement and support your larger and medium scale patterned items.

Smaller scale patterns are typically found on smaller items, but not always.

Accent pillows would look great with a smaller scale pattern, however curtains would also work well with a smaller scale pattern.

The smaller scale patterns typically have at least one of the colors in the larger object.

Feel free to use several different smaller scale prints in your room since they tend to almost look like a solid color with a texture from a distance.

Tone on tone items, such as a grasscloth wallpaper, function like a small scale pattern but is also an interesting texture.

 

 
break the rulesModern black and white living room - AI-assisted image | Human-editedBreak the Rules
If you want to do things your own way, then do it!
 
Feel free to mix and match as many patterns together as you like.
 
If you decide to use more patterns than suggested, your room might feel a bit more unsettled, juvenile, bold, and/or messy (which might be the look you are going for).
 
Many different patterns in a room might also feel more cozy, so you never know until you try it.
 
Experiment to see how many patterns you prefer in your room by adding and removing items until you find the perfect balance.
 
 

 
decorating with patterns tipsDramatic modern home office with many patterns - AI-assisted image | Human-editedPro Designer Tips:
Consider using different types of patterns, such as a large floral, a medium stripe, and a small dot.  Mixing different scaled floral patterns can be difficult to achieve a cohesive decor.
 
You can use the same pattern on several items in a room.  For example, you can use the same fabric for your curtains as you use on a few pillows.
 
In order to make expensive furniture be in style longer, cover your larger upholstered items in a solid neutral color.  By keeping your sofa and other large upholstered pieces of furniture a solid neutral color, the furniture is more versatile.  You can even decide at a later date to move the sofa to another room and it may complement the decor in that room just by changing out the pillows.
 
Another popular trend right now is temporary wallpaper #ad that is easy to remove.  Wallpaper can add an additional pattern to a room, but that pattern can be easily changed out if you want something different in a few years or if you are renting and unable to make permanent changes.
 
 
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