HOW TO MIX PATTERNS IN INTERIOR DESIGN & HOME DECOR

Patterns add charm and dynamism to any space, and a well-considered combination of patterns takes the decor game a level higher. It is like an assorted floral arrangement that creates beauty organically with a balance of different colors, shapes, and textures. Patterns add allure by sheer variety, and when coupled with a penchant for color, they can make a room look more lively and joyful. But, if you are concerned about how this feat can be accomplished without going over the top, our stylists dish out their most dependable, tried-and-tested tips on mixing patterns for any space in this blog. 

But first, why should you even consider mixing patterns? The short answer is that it is a design choice based purely on your taste. Sticking to just one pattern in a room is undisputedly fine, but mixing patterns offers additional perks you may not want to miss. And that calls for a long answer.

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Why Mix Patterns?

At the outset, let’s lay it down straight that multi-layering of patterns is for those who love patterns for what they offer: energy, vibrance, and capacity to woo attention. And you don’t just love patterns but ‘love them enough to crave for more’. Don’t make the mistake, however, of assuming that this approach to design is too bold for a quiet sophisticated taste because patterns can be mixed with subtlety and grace. When done well, far from feeling cluttered, pattern mix is nothing but adding elegance on elegance. Here’s how:

COLLECTED AND CURATED LOOK: A home decorated with a mix of patterns – rather than matchy-matchy pieces or mere monochrome pieces – looks collected, curated, and evolved gradually over time rather than assembled in a tick from off-the-rack cheap decor. Because, while buying perfectly matching pieces is a relatively easy exercise, mixing and matching patterns of varied colors, textures, and finishes needs a dedicated labor of love, time, and skill. So, diverse patterns blending seamlessly in any space is an instant giveaway of a carefully and unhurriedly curated space.

PERSONALIZED APPEAL: Mixing patterns makes room for motifs featuring different personalities sourced from different geographic locations and relating to varied decor styles. So, your travel finds, inherited treasures, handcrafted gems, and items holding sentimental value can all be displayed together and used on the daily rather than staying locked in the closet. Thus you will be able to adopt a personalized approach towards interior design rather than trying to fit into a specific decor style or chase the latest trend.

ELABORATION OF DECOR STYLE:  Patterns are eloquent mouthpieces of your design style. If your decor style is cosmopolitan, mixing patterns lends the creative bandwidth to blend patterns of different eras, demographics, and styles. This is of especially great value to eclectic, maximalist, traditional, and bohemian decor styles, to name a few, that thrive on layering of multiple patterns. Even if your taste is not eclectic, a curated mix of patterns stands a better chance of voicing your decor style than a homogenous set that can only convey a few of its aspects. 

CREATES VISUAL BALANCE: Patterns are visually heavier than plains, and using one pattern heavily in only one or two spots of the room can create visual imbalance. Whereas, interspersing multiple patterns throughout a space can create a visual balance and prevent the patterned elements from taking more attention than their due. So, if you love to integrate patterns into your design style, take the easier and balanced approach of mixing multiple patterns rather than struggle to create balance while sticking to a single one. 

Mixing Patterns like a Pro: Our Top Ten Tips

Now that you know how you can make your home feel very dynamic, collected, and personalized by mixing patterns, you may be very excited about layering your decor with all your favorite motifs. But, pattern play demands more than enthusiasm to get to the point of disarming charm. It is not like making a potpourri with randomly picked favorite ingredients. Rather, it is a process that calls for forethought, consideration, and control like that of readying a concoction of carefully measured ingredients using balances and scales. With these tips in mind, you can get those balances and scales right –

TAKE STOCK OF YOUR EXISTING PATTERNS

Mixing patterns is a game of balance and restraint. It is, therefore, better to start the project of adding patterned accessories to your decor by first making an inventory of those that are already there, and then carefully adding more if desired. Also, don’t make the mistake of leaving out patterns that are present in the architectural features and fixtures of the home such as the tesselation of tiles, the striations of wood, the veins of marble, and so on. 

If there is a substantial presence of patterns in the room already, it is better to proceed with restraint to keep the place visually restive. And, if there is no pattern or very little, there is great scope to bring in a mix of varied patterns – both subtle and bold. 

COMBINE DIFFERENT SCALES

Patterns of the same scale compete for attention whereas those that vary in scale complement each other. So, to make a pleasant and balanced pattern mix, go for a mix of large, medium, and small-scaled patterns. Most designers typically introduce only one large scale pattern – the ‘hero’ pattern – mixed with one or more of other medium/small scaled patterns. Varying scales help to engage the eye at different levels and vantage points. It also cancels the risk of ending up with a visually overwhelming pattern play that can make the room feel busy or cluttered. 

PICK THE ‘HERO’ PATTERN FIRST

Start with the ‘hero’ when weaving your design narrative with pattern play. By that, we mean to choose a single large-scale print that can ground the pattern play in the room. It could be in any element – the wallpaper, curtains, or rug. 

Restricting to one large-scale hero pattern ensures that the room, no matter how loaded with patterns, looks attractive, and not busy. Because, patterns become more compelling when oversized, and restricting to one large-scaled print helps to avoid competition.  But, while only one can be the hero, you can always be more generous with the supporting cast of small and medium-sized prints.   

KEEP THE PALETTE COHESIVE

The palette plays a prominent role as the unifying factor in a pattern mix. Patterns can vary in personality and size, but they should script a common color story. The coordinated color scheme will ensure that the patterns ‘belong’ to each other despite their pronounced differences.  

Further, note that pattern play itself becomes subtle or overpowering depending on tonal variations. Patterns with saturated colors or high-contrast renditions look dramatic whereas those with muted hues and low-contrast combinations are less compelling. So, if you want to bring in bold patterns and worry that they may visually overwhelm the scene, consider toning the palette down and opting for low-contrast schemes.

ENSURE DIMENSIONAL COMPATIBILITY

The pattern’s scale must also work for the scale of the object it is going to cover. Based on the size of the accessory that will wear the pattern, the scale must be chosen to avoid abrupt cropping. So, for example, big patterns will suit better on long curtains and wallpapers better but not so much for valances, vases, or small-sized accessories. Whereas, small patterns can work with objects of all scales. 

COMPLEMENT CURVES WITH STRAIGHT LINES

When mixing patterns, variety and balance are key and that is not only created through scale but also the shape of the motifs. That is what makes the celebrated combination of herringbone, floral, and stripes such a wholesome visual treat, for example. One is a complex tessellation, another is an organic shape and the last is linear. The silhouettes of these patterns are not all pointing in the same direction, and they are not all straight-edged or curvy. They vary and thus complement each other.

MIX SIMPLE AND COMPLEX PATTERNS

Another aspect that contributes to the heterogeneous nature of the mix is the varying levels of intricacy. Pairing patterns with varying levels of complexity makes the mix easy on the eye. So, intricate patterns should be paired with less detailed patterns to create a harmonious blend that is positively stimulating to the senses rather than feeling like a confusing bustle. 

INTERPOLATE SOLIDS

Patterns can only work their magic when they are sufficiently complemented with plains. Before the eye moves from one pattern to another, it needs breathing space, and that is supplied by a solid-colored surface, free of patterns and designs. So, it is extremely important for a pattern-lover to be just as obsessed with plains, if not more. You can only savor the elegance of your patterns when they are punctuated by solids. So, for example, if you want to hang patterned curtains, it may be best to avoid patterned wallpaper. Or, if you already have a patterned wallpaper, be mindful of choosing plain curtains. 

DISTRIBUTE PATTERNS EVENLY

What patterns come into the room is important, but how you distribute them across the room is also important. Since patterns woo the eye, it is important to make sure that they are spread across the room, otherwise, portions of the room where patterns are clustered will look heavy and attention-demanding while other portions may tend to look bland. So, make sure that they are evenly distributed all over the space, both horizontally and vertically. 

EXERCISE RESTRAINT

Pattern play looks elegant and harmonious only when restraint is exercised. The goal is not to layer patterns for the sake of it, rather, it is to create a restive, exciting, and welcoming space that feels collected and homely. Knowing when to draw the line is key in pattern play. 

Add patterns only until each new addition brings something beautiful to the table; any excessive addition will make the space feel too visually heavy and clamorous. As to the maximum number of patterns that can peacefully coexist in a room, there is no hard and fast rule. However, we find that three is a magical number – not too little as to lack variety, not too much to look annoying – just the right bit to evoke a curious glance and never too overwhelming to want to look away.

Master the Art of Pattern Play

Any pattern, in itself, can add depth and dynamism, generate visual interest in unique ways, and leave a lasting visual impact. But a well-considered mix of patterns further levels up the game and adds a personalized designer touch to your interiors. The key to achieving it harmoniously lies entirely in working with scales and balances, in countering indulgence with restraint and similarities with contrasts. Mixing patterns in a way that they look ‘belonged’ to each other is indeed an art, but not one that you cannot master. With the tips elaborated here, anyone can create a cohesive and attractive space rigged up with varied patterns that both stimulate the senses and bring joy to the heart. So, go set out on your exciting project of curating your space with the choicest patterns and finest colors. Master the art of pattern play. Good luck!

READ MORE: MAXIMALIST HOME DECOR: KEY PRINCIPLES OF ELEGANT ECLECTICISM