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How to mix patterns


How to Mix Patterns in a Room

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There’s one design dilemma that continues to elude many—mixing patterns. Using more than one pattern in a room seems intimidating but it can be easy to do once you know the tricks. It all comes down to coordinating and complementing patterns in a space.

Choosing Patterns

When decorating with patterns, first determine what kind of look you want your room to have. For example, florals give a room a pretty feel while animal prints give it a glamorous or eclectic feel. Second, think about what types of patterns will fit into your room's theme.

As a rule of thumb, use at least three patterns in a room. For example, group together a floral, stripe, and polka dot. Another pattern group that works well together is herringbone, stripes, and paisley. A third group of patterns could be two different size plaids and a floral.

Tip

Mix up the scales of the patterns you're using. For example, choose a large pattern, one medium pattern, and one small pattern. Or, choose a large pattern and two medium patterns. (The one time you may not need to vary pattern size is if you use three animal prints in one room.)

Choosing the Color of Patterns

Now that you have an idea of what patterns you may want to mix, the next challenge is choosing the colors. There are a couple of directions you can take when it comes to mixing and matching the colors of different patterns.

  1. Use colors that have the same hue and intensity. For instance, don’t mix pastel patterns with jewel-tone patterns.
  2. Choose tone-on-tone patterns which give a neutral room depth, texture, and character with a sophisticated overtone.

Placing Patterns Around a Room

Keep in mind a couple of rules when mixing your patterns. Distribute patterns evenly throughout the room for balance. Keeping patterns to one side of a room makes can make a space look and feel unbalanced.

In addition, it's fine to show a bit of restraint when mixing patterns. The eye needs a place to rest so layering up too many patterns together will look and feel chaotic. Make sure you have a few solids to break up the expanses of pattern. For example, if your curtains are patterned, add in solid color shades or sheers. Patterns work best when they have plenty of room to breathe in a space.

Here are the most common patterns you will find when decorating a room and what each pairs best with in a space.

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By

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/23/21

The Spruce / Almar Creative

We get it—incorporating different patterns into your decorating scheme can be incredibly intimidating. But we promise, with a little insider knowledge you can mix and layer patterned décor successfully like a pro. The trick to learning how to get it right is understanding the basic rules. Afterward, you can confidently break them or not.

What's the most significant need to know? In general, when layering patterns, it is best to combine prints in different styles and scales. The latter is super important. The most prominent pattern in the room, typically a rug with a colorful motif, sets the tone for the rest of the space. Afterward, additional layers of complementary or contrasting patterns in smaller sizes boost visual interest. Those items often include accent pillows, throws, furniture, and curtains.

Confused? Do not be. Whether you are a design traditionalist or a décor maverick, the following ideas share the best ways to mix patterns when decorating.

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MIXING: HOW TO COMBINE PATTERNS LIKE A PRO

Pattern mixing is one of those decor areas that people seem to shy away from simply out of fear of not knowing what to pair with. Well, we're here to help you get your feet wet and give you the confidence you need to blend them with confidence!

Like the lovely living room upstairs, from Lonnie, clearly demonstrates that this is a useful skill to add to your decorating experience, and the only way to really get comfortable with patterns is to try. Here is the crash course:


Magic number: Odd numbers work when you group. Three is always a good place to start; come up from there if you feel it.



Color intensity: Keep the same color tone and intensity. Avoid mixing primary colors with pastels or muted ones with gemstone hues.

Solids and textures: Don't put too many patterns on top of each other. You need a place to rest your eyes. Add solids and textures to balance and separate. nine0003

Graphics: Choosing black and white (or color and white) graphics is a good way to add a catchy element to unify the space.

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Balancing: Whether you start with patterns or solids first, make sure the rest of the room continues in the same color palette to create harmony.

White: White is a great base that holds everything together and allows your patterns to make a statement. Just make sure you keep the same white so it looks crisp and clean. nine0003

Companion fabrics: If you need some time to explore the world of pattern mixing, check out our companion fabrics. Companion fabrics are designed by companies as pre-blended harmonious patterns on a color palette. Just head to the fabric store, ask your friends, and start learning what works together and why.

Pattern friends: Okay, let's get down to the details. What looks good together:

Are you a fool mixing patterns? What are your favorites?

(Image: Lonnie)

Alisha Findlay

Author

Alisha is a photographer and designer based in Seattle who loves dark chocolate, tea and all things furry. In her free time, you'll find her with paint in her hair renovating her 1919 craftsman and sharing the process on her Old House New Tricks blog.

How to mix prints and patterns with taste

The ability to wear colorful outfits is aerobatics in the world of fashion and style. For beginners, the competent combination of complex patterns and prints with other things is difficult. It will never be superfluous to study the recommendations of stylists on this topic. nine0091 Bright and colorful things with inept selection can turn you into a clown. If you are going to a children's party in cloudy weather, such an image may still be appropriate. In all other situations, you probably won't need it.
At the same time, difficulties in choosing things for colorful dresses and blouses should not stop you. If you decide to stick to a monochromatic range in order to avoid incidents and mistakes, you risk seeming boring. So even if not all of your experiments with clothes in stripes, checks or flowers impressed others, keep looking for your style. And we will suggest interesting ideas about this. nine0091 To succeed in finding interesting patterns based on clothes with a pattern, you need a little inspiration and a little patience. They will be rewarded with a bright, catchy, memorable, but not vulgar image. Some women cringe at the mere thought of wearing stripes and polka dots at the same time. Do not rush to conclusions: sometimes the right types of patterns can look very harmonious.

Military and floral theme

It is difficult to imagine a successful mix on this topic, but such combinations exist. Green and khaki looks organic with flowers. This is how nature intended. As for the world of fashion, then this combination is able to create an image from the category of "Beauty and the Beast". Everyone knows this popular musical based on the fairy tale about the scarlet flower. nine0091 When choosing pieces in a military theme to combine with clothes with a floral print, carefully study what is in magazines and on the catwalk in this area. This is an interesting, but not very simple combination. The brutality of a military camouflage pattern, combined with feminine and romantic floral prints, can make a splash in society. But any slightest mistake will cost you dearly: it will turn into shame and dishonor. The reputation of a stylish person will have to be restored from scratch. nine0091 Stylists recommend doing this: one of the things should have a very large pattern, and the other should have a very small one. If you follow this rule, then there should be no problems. The image will not seem pretentious and extraordinary, on the contrary, it will be filled with harmony and beauty.
You can try on a dress made of fabric with a floral pattern with a military-colored jacket. This combination will draw attention. Wear it with confidence and no one around will begin to doubt whether it is possible to combine patterns in this way. Actress Jessica Alba can serve as a role model. She, however, wears plain khaki jackets with floral skirts. But he manages to add a blouse with a lace pattern in the form of flowers to this outfit with style and taste. nine0100

M424 Women's blouse - Droplet

M458 Women's blouse print Flowers

Stripes and flowers

Combining stripes and floral prints is a slightly easier task than the previous one. And here fashion gurus recommend using things with different print sizes. Only in this situation, their advice concerns slightly different combination options. A large pattern should be moved to the top of the outfit, and a small one should be left at the bottom. nine0091 Stripes are a pretty versatile type of pattern and go with many other prints. Try to wear such things with different options for colorful fabric, be guided by your perception and the advice of your friends about which combinations are successful. If you want to narrow down the search for interesting solutions, try the same color schemes first.
A floral dress can also be combined with a striped jacket or cardigan. And vice versa: a dress can be striped, and a sweater or cape can be tried on in a flower. If the image will seem harmonious and harmonious, you can leave it in your arsenal for special exits. nine0091 The combination of stripes and floral motifs is so successful that there are ready-made outfits that are sewn from this type of fabric. This is also an interesting option for those who are just starting to experiment with similar tasks.

Graphic and animal patterns

Graphic patterns are reminiscent of watercolor drawings, paintings made in different styles. They are combined with many print options, such as floral or animal prints. Many fashion designers know that a combination of such patterns can look great. And they create uniform outfits (dresses or blouses), in which they are already successfully mixed. nine0091 Imitation of the colors of animal skins on the background of a graphic pattern can be the perfect solution for you. This combination will help create a bright, memorable image. Especially if you can show the transition from one pattern to another. The smoother it is, the more interesting the image will turn out.

Check and strip

The combination of checkered and striped things is not such a difficult task as others. Both patterns belong to the geometric type of prints. It's easy to match them up. nine0091 The main thing here is not to overdo it. Two things of these patterns can look stylish. And the third against their background should be monophonic. Otherwise, there will be a bust and instead of a stylish image, you will get a not very aesthetic image.

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M395Р Dress with stretch lace leopard

Multicolored and plain fabrics

The listed options for combining patterns and prints are suitable for courageous women who are confident that they have an excellent sense of taste. Or those who want to develop it in themselves. If you're too shy to try these mixes, it's best to start by trying colorful pieces paired with solid colors. There are some tricks here, let's list some of them. nine0091 1) Choose shoes or accessories to match one of the shades of the outfit. This will help create an interesting, but rather restrained look. And if you want to impress everyone to the core, try wearing bright red shoes with a leopard-colored dress. And try on a sundress with a pattern in the form of a zebra skin color with turquoise sandals. It will turn out a very interesting combination, suitable for a celebration. It is easy to guess that by changing one shoe to another, you can transform an outfit from business or casual to festive in five seconds. nine0091 2) Avoid jewelry. Variegated colors are bright in themselves. A lot of jewelry and accessories are not needed here. Moreover, bright floral or striped patterns allow you to do without makeup. This is the easiest and fastest way to make your image impressive without spending a lot of time on it.
3) Use a mixture of one type of pattern. To begin with, if you are afraid of making a mistake, learn how to properly mix things with one type of pattern. Wear a striped business suit with a striped blouse, a plaid skirt with a similar jacket. This option is a great way to take the first step towards the ability to create stunning outfits based on colorful things.

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