Pattern Play Like a Pro
Let’s talk patterns! A good pattern play can elevate a room like no other. Pattern mixing is a trend that’s here to stay, and many designers these days use the “more is more” mentality when it comes to mixing and matching patterns.
If you’ve ever tried to mix patterns in your own home, you’ve probably realized it’s not as effortless as it appears on Instagram. Combining patterns to achieve a harmonious blend is a skill that can take a little practice if you are not used to it! I have compiled a list of tips to make your pattern combinations a success! It’s important to remember that the goal of mixing patterns is to have each pattern shine in it’s own light and work cohesively together, not have them compete with each other. I will say, if you are layering your patterns on top of each other (ie. pillows on a sofa/bed/chair) it is more crucial that they “match” then if they are simply in the room together.
Now, before we get started I have to preface by saying these are in no way “rules” to pattern mixing. Everyone has their own style and way of working that’s best for them. These tips are simply things that I have found useful and true while working in the design world. I am not an expert by any means but it is certainly helpful to have a few guidelines if you are new to design!
First things first, start with a lead fabric. Find a fabric that you love and go from there! It is helpful if the fabric is a larger scale fabric with multiple colors. This gives you a good base to go off of and makes the rest of the process easier. I am going to use this floral Schumacher as my lead!
Each fabric you pick should be a different “style”. Meaning, don’t have more than one stripe, or more than one floral, etc. You want to be aware of the shapes and movement of the patterns to. If you are using a cheetah animal print, then you don’t want to use another print with circular shapes because they will appear visually the same. By having various styles your patterns will blend better and seem more cohesive. I have chosen an animal print and an abstract stripe as my secondary styles! Now, don’t get me wrong, I have seen it work to have more than one of a style in room. BUT, if you decide to make a bold move like that it is important that the patterns are of different scales.
Scale is a huge factor to a successful pattern mix. It is crucial that your patterns have varying scales in order to achieve a successful pattern play situation. By using different scales you help eliminate the issue of fabrics competing with each other. If all of your fabrics are the same scale your eyes won’t know where to look because all of the patterns have the same visual impact. In my example, you will see that not only do the patterns blend with color and hue but the scales and styles work together to form a collection.
The key to a successful pattern play situation is to incorporate solids. Now you may think, why would I worry about solids if I want to achieve a stunning mix of patterns? Well! Because patterns are fabulous and can make a huge statement, BUT, we need to incorporate solids to break up the pattern. Solids allow patterns to have a spotlight and be seen in their own light as well as together.
You can see after adding texture (light blue velvet) and solids the scheme feels “complete” and the colors in each print are able to shine and speak for themselves. Obviously the scheme is not complete, it still needs trim, and I would probably add another pattern or texture to the mix but you get the point!
The general rule of thumb is to have a large scale organic print, a medium scale geometric and then a mini print. Obviously, this is not a guarantee to a successful scheme nor is it always used by designers. There are dozens of designers who do their own thing when it comes to pattern mixing and it turns out incredible. This project for instance by Mark Sikes, he uses three large scale patterns but they work well together and the result is stunning!
At the end of the day, it matters what YOU like and think looks good. If you love something then do it! I hope these little tips & tricks help you to create a space you love in your home. Happy Mixing!
There’s always Something to Style Over!
xx, Lea
Designers left to right: MA Allen, Summer Thornton, MA Allen, Lea Burton, Lea Burton, Charlotte Lucas