1. Choose three or more patterns for one room, typically you would use up to 5 fabrics or patterns. Odd numbers are better. They’re more pleasing to the eye.
2. Try not to mix the same scale patterns in one room. The same scale patterns will fight for attention.
3. Start with a large pattern that will make a strong statement. A large floral or popular Ikat, as you see here, are both great examples of a starter print.
4. Choose a second pattern that will be half the scale of the first and a different design. If your first pattern is a large floral, like the blue one shown, the second smaller pattern might be this yellow geometric. With a different floral you might want to combine a plaid, stripe or paisley. All the fabrics should have similar colors.
5. When choosing a third pattern, consider what has already been chosen and add a smaller print, or plaid or stripe. The third pattern in our blue group is an even smaller blue geometric design.
Large to small coordinating prints with a solid blue quilted fabric.
6. Don’t forget solids, especially when you have a bold color palette. Your eye needs to rest. The blue quilted fabric in our example grounds the group.
7. Vary the textures of the fabrics when designing your room. Think silks, velvets, leathers, cottons, twills and damasks. Wall paper, rugs, drapery, and fabrics all play a role in finishing and warming the room.
Large Ikat pattern with tan linen and accent pillow fabrics.
8. The boldness of this trendy Ikat pattern, below, can look great surrounded by a neutral solid like the tan linen. You can vary the texture and pick out one color to accent. You’ll want to scatter your accent color throughout the room to complete the look.
9. Another good rule of thumb is to keep the lightness or darkness of the colors in the patterns similar. If you love the popular muted seaglass color for example, pair it with other colors that have the same value so that one color doesn’t over power the other one. A subdued palette is achieved by keeping the contrast low as shown in the subtle blue and gray group.
10. Consult with one of the talented Toms-Price interior designers. They have the experience and skill to help you pick patterns and colors that will look perfect when combined together!
A subdued palette in blue and gray with plenty of texture.
Prints, solids, textures – this room by CR Laine has it all!
Many Toms-Price shoppers don’t realize that they can get design help at our outlet store in Bloomingdale, where I work. I would be happy to help you put your room together. I can come to your home, do space planning, give you tips for mixing patterns or color consultation – all within your budget. Check us out!
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Loved the advice in this post! Thanks to the fabric samples shown I can clearly see what the designer is talking about in putting together different patterns and textures. I, for one, have a difficult time and am not very adventurous when it comes to putting together fabrics or designing a room. This helped me understand how well different patterns and color can complement each other! I especially loved the first sample of blues and yellows.
I love every one of these combinations!
Your explanation is so clear and easy to follow-thanks!
Robin
this is really interesting. i had NO idea there were such “scientific” rules for choosing patterns within a room! who knew??? when i go into a well-decorated pleasing room, i guess i won’t have to wonder “WHY” this or that anymore. i will print out this article and see how many of the rules were followed.
Thanks for these tips. I always wondered how my friends made their mix and match living rooms work so well. I’m so tired of my solid colors, my future bold living room– here I come!
Great Tips Cindy! Love your examples too. Tami
Love the section 10 Tips for Mixing Patterns! This will be very useful in my next move. I’m pretty traditional but this article is helping me think outside the “box” I’ve been in!