How to Mix & Incorporate Patterns in a Room
Oct 28, 2019

If you love the look of patterns in interior design, then you’re in luck. Patterns are easy to mix and incorporate into every room of your house or apartment, bringing a dash of visual interest and excitement to any space. In this article, our design experts talk about some of our favourite ways to use and mix patterns at home. If you have questions you need answered about interior design patterns and textures, you’re in the right place!
How to Mix & Incorporate Patterns in a Room
Make an Inspiration Board for Favourite Patterns
Before you dive headfirst into your home makeover, take a few days (or at least a few hours) to find sources of design inspiration. My Design Finder is a great starting point, with thousands of visual examples to browse. Pinterest and Instagram are also great style sources. Check out relevant hashtags, like #interiordesign, #homedecor, #pattern, or #patterndesign. Once you’ve compiled some favourites, you’ll probably start to notice themes, which you can then incorporate into your home redesign project.
Pick 3 of Your Favourite Patterns to Balance
Many design experts recommend starting with about three different patterns to mix and match in your home. Here’s how to make sure they’re balanced:
- To start, choose a pattern that features a large print. Look for something at least the size of your palm (or bigger).
- For your second pattern, choose a print that’s smaller than the first. You can pick any size you like, but experts recommend selecting a print that’s roughly half as large as the original pattern.
- The third pattern can be any size you want, as long as it’s visually similar to one of your other two patterns. This will help to avoid too much clashing.
Examples of trendy and popular types of patterns in interior design include fleur-de-lis, gingham, damask, houndstooth, herringbone, polka dots, stripes, and tropical prints.
Pick Patterns with Similar Colour Intensities
“Colour intensity” is simply another way of saying “saturation” or how intense and vivid the colour is. The less saturated a colour is, the closer it appears to grey. The more saturated a colour is, it will become brighter and more vivid.
High-intensity colours can overpower and drown out low-intensity colours. For that reason, it’s a good idea to choose patterns with similar saturation levels like three pastels, three dark colours, or three bright colours. Even if you’re mixing patterns, as long as there is a similar intensity of colour among those patterns, you can mix stripes, polka dots, and florals to a striking and eclectic effect!
Once you’ve chosen some patterns you like, it’s time to start incorporating them into your space! There are countless opportunities to mix and match your favorite prints, including wallpaper, upholstery, carpeting, pillowcases, artwork, tapestries, and more.
Use My Design Finder to Get Ideas for Decorating with Patterns
The perfect pattern for your home is just waiting to be discovered. Get inspired with My Design Finder, which showcases thousands of gorgeous rooms and homes — all based on your custom style preferences. Whether you’re looking for something bold, subtle, kid-friendly, or sophisticated, you’ll find your style match on My Design Finder.
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