A well-decorated room always includes a mix of visual textures that add contrast and draw the eye to different focal points. Patterned fabrics, wall coverings, and artwork add life to a room and give it a character and context. Layering these patterns in a pleasing way can often be challenging, but these simple tips will help you layer your patterns like a pro:
Choose your dominant pattern: Just like with your other focal points in the room (furniture, wall color, accessories) you need to choose the primary pattern that will serve as the dominant visual draw in the room. This pattern will appear on the largest or most prominent pieces and will determine the selections for the rest of the room.
In this bedroom the ornate damask wallpaper forms the dominant pattern
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The floral area rug dominates the look in this bedroom
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Choose your secondary pattern: The secondary pattern will appear on smaller surfaces in the room and should contrast substantially with the primary pattern, yet incorporate similar or complimentary colors. In the top room the bold stripes on the headboard and side chair contrast with the damask wallpaper pattern, and in the lower room the red and green striped fabric contrasts with the floral rug. Stripes contrast beautifully with florals, checks and plaids contrast nicely with paisleys, and strong geometric patterns contrast well with mottled organic prints.
In this kitchen the floral print wall paper on the side walls forms the primary pattern, with the contrasting stripes on the upper wall an the narrow stripes on the chair upholstery forming the secondary and accent patterns, respectively
In this living room the stripe on the upholstered chair and curtains form the primary pattern, the diamond shapes of the lighter toss cushions the secondary, and the medallion pattern of the dark toss cushions the accent.
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Incorporate your tertiary or accent pattern: This third pattern, and any subsequent ones, should serve as small accents in the space, that don’t dominate the eye, but add subtle texture and interest. The colors in them should incorporate the same tones that are in the primary pattern, in a similar, but slightly different size or style. For example, if your primary pattern is a stripe and your secondary pattern a floral, your accent pattern can be a differently-scaled stripe, a diamond pattern, or another geometric. If your primary fabric is a damask print and your secondary a stripe or geometric, add a different damask or floral print as your accent.
The main thing to keep in mind is not to match overly similar patterns directly together without a contrasting print in between. And if patterns still leave you perplexed visit our SERVICES page for professional help from our design team to pull everything together in your space!
Happy Decorating!
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