Decor Tips: A Guide to Working With Patterns
Here are simple tips on how to choose and use patterns to liven up your space
Patterns and prints are a great way to inject life and personality into a decor scheme. From classic, elegant fleur-de-lis motifs to eye-popping psychedelic prints, there’s a vast variety of decorative patterns that you can incorporate in your home. Each pattern can bring in a different feel to your spaces – a symmetrical Victorian motif can introduce a formal atmosphere whereas a striking animal print would create an entirely different look. Using prints the right way can draw attention to statement pieces and make your settings look balanced and appealing.
Here’s how to go about selecting and adding patterns in your decor.
Here’s how to go about selecting and adding patterns in your decor.
2. Scale your patterns
The size of the pattern should ideally complement the piece of furniture that it’s on. Small patterns over a large surface area may end up looking too busy, while huge patterns on a tiny element might look too overwhelming. Small to mid-sized motifs are a safe bet for cushions and throws, while slightly larger prints can be used on rugs and wallpaper, depending on the area that they cover. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Sometimes, a big, bold print on a cushion can work very well, provided that the rest of the elements in the room are balanced.
The size of the pattern should ideally complement the piece of furniture that it’s on. Small patterns over a large surface area may end up looking too busy, while huge patterns on a tiny element might look too overwhelming. Small to mid-sized motifs are a safe bet for cushions and throws, while slightly larger prints can be used on rugs and wallpaper, depending on the area that they cover. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Sometimes, a big, bold print on a cushion can work very well, provided that the rest of the elements in the room are balanced.
Tip: If you’re covering large expanses with wallpaper, choose repetitive motifs to maintain a sense of continuity through the decor.
Some inspiration for wallpapers
Some inspiration for wallpapers
3. Think out of the box
Patterns and prints don’t have to be limited to cushions and upholstery alone. You can actually incorporate them almost everywhere – on curtains, on the floor, on wall hangings and paintings. Another subtle way to bring in patterns is through lattices, jalis and grilles; this is a good way to complement the patterns on your soft furnishings without overdoing it.
Explore ideas for patterned floor tiles
Patterns and prints don’t have to be limited to cushions and upholstery alone. You can actually incorporate them almost everywhere – on curtains, on the floor, on wall hangings and paintings. Another subtle way to bring in patterns is through lattices, jalis and grilles; this is a good way to complement the patterns on your soft furnishings without overdoing it.
Explore ideas for patterned floor tiles
4. Layer more than one pattern
You can create unique and original spaces by using two or three patterns within a single space. When mixing multiple patterns, maintain some similarity between them – such as colour or scale. This will help bring in some order and prevent the room from looking too chaotic. Use different hues of the same colour, or complementary and contrasting colours.
Take a look at rooms that layer with similar patterns
You can create unique and original spaces by using two or three patterns within a single space. When mixing multiple patterns, maintain some similarity between them – such as colour or scale. This will help bring in some order and prevent the room from looking too chaotic. Use different hues of the same colour, or complementary and contrasting colours.
Take a look at rooms that layer with similar patterns
5. Create focal points
Patterns can be used effectively to highlight certain areas or features in a room. If you don’t want to use too many patterns, you can strategically select certain areas to add motifs as accents, like in the living room above.
Ikat patterns for modern spaces
Patterns can be used effectively to highlight certain areas or features in a room. If you don’t want to use too many patterns, you can strategically select certain areas to add motifs as accents, like in the living room above.
Ikat patterns for modern spaces
If you’re using numerous patterns, you can highlight one pattern above the rest. A simple way to do this is by choosing a slightly brighter colour for one pattern, like the green floral upholstered chairs in the image.
6. Maintain balance
While you might be tempted to go all out and add multiple patterns all over your room, overdoing it can create a cluttered, chaotic look. The trick is to give your patterns some breathing room. You can maintain some negative, solid-hued space around each patterned element – such as a plain wall behind a tapestry, or a neutral coloured sofa to balance several patterned cushions.
Read more:
5 Ways to Enhance Your Home With Stencil Art
10 Breathtaking & Unconventional Accent Walls
Tell us:
What kind of patterns and motifs do you like most? Let us know in Comments below.
While you might be tempted to go all out and add multiple patterns all over your room, overdoing it can create a cluttered, chaotic look. The trick is to give your patterns some breathing room. You can maintain some negative, solid-hued space around each patterned element – such as a plain wall behind a tapestry, or a neutral coloured sofa to balance several patterned cushions.
Read more:
5 Ways to Enhance Your Home With Stencil Art
10 Breathtaking & Unconventional Accent Walls
Tell us:
What kind of patterns and motifs do you like most? Let us know in Comments below.
Patterns and motifs can play a very important role in defining the style of your space. Fortunately, there are tons of options out there to choose from. Florals, trellises and nature-themed prints are popular choices since they go well with both contemporary and classic decor schemes. If your decor style is Indian, you can choose paisleys, ikat prints and tribal patterns. For a more modern look, you could go with stripes, lattices, chevron or geometrical patterns. Swirls, polka dots and other whimsical patterns can be used for more informal, quirky spaces.
More tips on adding motifs to your home