Mixing patterns is one of those decor areas that people seem to shy away from simply out of fear of not knowing what to match up. Well, we're here to help get your feet wet and give you the confidence you need to feel free to mix it up!
As the lovely living room above, from Lonny, amply illustrates, it's a worthwhile skill to add to your decorating expertise and the only way to truly get comfortable with using patterns is to give it a go. Here's the crash course:
The Magic Number: Odd numbers work when you are grouping. Three is always a good place to start; go up from there if you're feeling it.
- Pattern 1: This is your strongest statement, so choose something you absolutely love and want to go off of for the rest of the room. It's best to start with a large scale pattern.
- Pattern 2: This piece should have a couple of the same colors as your first pattern, but be half the scale.
- Pattern 3: Go for a complementary color or neutral textured piece in a smaller scale.
Color Intensity: Stay with the same color tones and intensities. Veer away from mixing primary colors with pastels, or muted ones with jewel tones.
Solids and Textures: You don't want to put too many patterns on top of each other. You need a place for the eye to rest. Add in solids and textures to balance and seperate.
Graphics: Choosing a black and white (or color and white) graphic is a good way to add in an eye catching element to unify the space.
Balancing: Whether you begin with your patterns or solids first, be sure the rest of the room is continued in that same color palette to create harmony.
White: White is a great base that brings everything together and lets your patterns make a vibrant statement. Just make sure to keep the same white throughout for a crisp, clean look.
Companion Fabrics: If you need a little study time to push you into the world of mixing patterns, look into companion fabrics. Companion fabrics are designed by companies as pre-mixed harmonious patterns by color palette. Just head to the fabric store, ask for some companions and start studying what works together and why.
Pattern Buddies: Ok, so let's get down to the nitty gritty. What looks good together:
- Polka Dots, Textures and Graphics
- Small Polka Dots, Stripes and Florals
- Plaid, Paisley and Graphics
- Ikat, Polka Dots and Paisely
- Chevron, Floral and Geometric
- Toile, Texture and Stripes
- Animal Prints and Texture
- Two Ikats and Texture
- Damask, Floral and Stripes
Are you a pattern mixing fool? What are some of your favorites?
(Image: Lonny)
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That bubble chair is awesome.
Thanks for the tips
Ah ha! Color intensity is the reason the room with the hanging beds in yesterday's posts didn't look right to me. I knew something was wrong there. Primary color with pastel...it doesn't sit well together. The pastel floats away.
I can see why the room in the photo illustrates these design rules, but to my eye the wallpaper pushes it over the edge into too much. Maybe if that wall was wide, muted stripes instead?
Awesome tips! I have been trying to learn how to mix them together better. The black and white tip stood out for me!
I think this article needs A LOT more photos to make sense. Or just send people to take a look at this video on mixing pattern by Emily Henderson: http://vimeo.com/45608960
Oh, Parnassus-Emily Henderson mixes patterns so well. She's so creative it KILLS me.
This post actually made me think of Stacy London and Clinton Kelly's near-constant mantra: "It doesn't have to match-it has to go together."
good article but do not like the photo at ALL.... jumbled and chaotic.............. not my taste..
Great article and advice on how to coordinate patterns! It's incredibly difficult to create a balanced space with pattern and energy like the photo example above. For people who may prefer calmer, less "chaotic" spaces you can use patterns but keep the color scheme monochromatic and even toned.
I like the room a lot, although I may have done away with the wall paper. That said, I think the room violates what the writer says about Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.
great video @parnassus! thanks :)
Even a tone-on-tone pattern would work here. http://www.mattingexperts.com/v/vspfiles/photos/H30-LuxorMats-2.jpg
where is the rug from?
I like where you're head's at @PHYLLIS15 - I have the same question :)
To me the wallpaper is too busy for the carpet. Just my opinion
I want pictures! LOTS more pictures! ha! I was just watching the Emily Henderson video of masterful pattern mixing yesterday. Very good and I will probably revisit it several times.
@PARNASSUS - many thanks for posting the video - very helpful.
Ask the designer about the rug?
http://www.lisasherryinterieurs.com/portfolio/minneapolis3/
I like to wear mixed patterns. I spent about a year wearing mixed black-and-white patterns mostly and sometimes branching out into other colors. The guide is helpful but I think you can mix any two patterns depending on scale and color. My favorite combination was paisley and pinstripes. I also liked to combine the same print and color but in different scale, such as pinstripes and broad stripes, tiny dots and gigantic dots. I didn't (and still don't) think of myself as a "creative type" but I enjoyed being creative with my wardrobe during that time. Trust your eye and have fun with it, I say.
I like mixing, but this room looks merely busy to me. I don't find this at all pleasing--it's unnerving.
Nice post and good advice.
Parnassus, thanks for the Henderson video. It helps explain what was bothering me about the two pillows on my couch (different intensity) and what was wrong with a top I sometimes matched with a skirt (same scale). I'm not a big believer in rules, but the guidelines are very handy. And now I have a better idea of what other wood stains I can use for different pieces of furniture in the same room. A little video goes a long way.
Good post, good tips. Combining patterns creates interest.
Balance is the key.
The photo should be labeled *what NOT to do*.
This room doesn't work for me - not balanced and too stark for my taste, although I am rather fond of the round hanging chair... Found a blog on this topic with lots more pictures that The_ASP and others may find as useful as I did.
How to Mix Fabrics For A Custom Look in Home Decor in 5 Easy Steps.
Surprised so many people hate the room. I think it looks great.
I wouldn't want it in my house - not a fan of large-scale geometrics like that rug, I'd prefer something more muted/shabby/Persian-style. But for what it is...I think it totally works.
I'm probably one of the only ones that thinks the above room could use more patterns :) The windows look like they could use a small patterned curtain. Well, that's probably because my living room has lots & lots of patterns- large scale graphic floral curtains, flor carpet tiles in parallel reality (very bold stripe in lots of colors), 3 different scaled patterned throw pillows on couch. At least my furniture is solid color & I have off white walls :)
While the topic is not to critique the room (which I don't completely dislike) it's close to being '70s modern; the arc lamp, bubble chair dizzying wallpaper. The wall to wall shag carpet is missing. After poking around AT since the start of the year, I'm starting to see what trends are soon to be so dated looking. Miles of zigzags and geometrics, fiberglass chairs that once lined a small beauty shop or airport and skulls of small roadkill animals; to name a few.
I like the room, and I actually think it's rather calming – maybe because there's so much white.
I want to see pictures of the other suggested pattern combos. It's hard to envision a mix of ikat, polka dots and paisley as anything but scary.
Not a fan. The wallpaper is too bold for my taste. I would be unnerved to have to spend any time in the room.
Here is a link to the rug: http://www.therugcompany.info/contemporary-collection/suzanne-sharp/sellarsbrook-yellow.htm