How to match patterns
Evocative and irresistible, patterns are one of the most powerful decorating tools you can use to create a specific vibe in a room. The secret, of course, is all in how you do the "mix and match".
At Studio Curated we’re big fans of patterns: whether they’re on furniture, fabrics, wallpapers or prints, we can’t resist the way they immediately evoke an atmosphere, add interest and movement to a room, and make you travel away to a specific period or destination. But how do we achieve the “wow” effect without risking a pattern clash?
The key to playing around with patterns like a pro is all in the way you mix and match them. If you’re new to interior decoration and don’t feel comfortable about mixing elements with different patterns, we prepared this short vademecum to help you along the process.
1. STYLE
The easiest way to approach mixing patterns is to keep in mind one consistent theme for your room. The style of the patterns you choose should in other words be aligned with the style of your interior. While you can certainly add an unexpected pattern that breaks with the main style and adds a pop to the room, if you’re just starting experimenting it’s easier if you group together patterns with a similar style (floral, geometric, retro, ikat, stripes and so on).
2. NUMBER
How many patterns should you include in a room? As odd numbers always work better in interior design, our suggestion is that you choose three different patterns of three different sizes. You can keep in mind the 60/30/10 rule: 60% of your favourite pattern, 30% of a second pattern and 10% of a third pattern as an accent. When you’ll feel more comfortable, you can try with a combination of 5 patterns.
3. COLOUR
Before selecting your patterns, create a colour palette and stick to it. If you can, include neutral grounds to pull colourful patterns together without overwhelming a room. As a general rule, repeating colours from pattern to pattern can help create harmony between patterns with different styles. Always include solid colours to provide a foundation to your patterned elements.
4. SIZE
The secret to a balanced mix and match is to incorporate patterns of a different size, avoiding patterns of the same size. The range of scale is also important: start with a bold and large pattern, then include a midsize and a small one.
5. PROPORTION
To achieve a professional result, keep in mind the proportion of the pattern on the surface it’s featured: a large pattern on a small cushion may be overwhelming and a tiny print on bed sheets may disappear.
6. REPETITION
Repetition is key when you look for achieving harmony in an interior space: beside repeating colours among the patterns you choose, repeating the motifs of your pattern across the room will help you tie together different elements and create consistency in your space. You can for example repeat the stripes of a print in the texture of a sideboard and the wooden boards on the floor.
7. BALANCE
Last but not least, keep balance in mind if you want your interior space to feel good and well designed. On the one hand, keep your patterns flow across the entire room, so to balance them throughout the space. On the other hand, balance colours and scale, but most of all, decide what will be your focus (your boldest pattern) and allow it to emerge in the room by choosing less loud pattern as support: in this way you will avoid creating a noisy and overwhelmed interior.
Need help with the decor of your interior space? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Words: Silvia Galli
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