Decorating
10 Marvellous Ways to Boost Your Décor With Layers of Pattern
Pile on the layers this autumn by cleverly mixing patterns to create interiors with colour and personality
By adding layers of pattern to your interior scheme, you can add unique character to a room. If you’re not sure how to get the balance right, check out these rooms for inspiration.
Pick colours from your rug
A great way to build a scheme is to use a patterned rug as your starting point. Pick out the key colours and select fabric designs with similar tones. Here, each piece of furniture is covered with a different pattern, but the repetitive use of pink and green gives the space a harmonious look.
The inclusion of some plain fabrics – here on the sofa and curtains – is a great way to soften the look.
A great way to build a scheme is to use a patterned rug as your starting point. Pick out the key colours and select fabric designs with similar tones. Here, each piece of furniture is covered with a different pattern, but the repetitive use of pink and green gives the space a harmonious look.
The inclusion of some plain fabrics – here on the sofa and curtains – is a great way to soften the look.
Experiment with monochrome
If you’re not feeling confident about mixing patterns, a black and white colour scheme would be a good place to start. By using a monochrome palette, you can guarantee that pretty much any combination of patterns will work. Once you get this right, it may inspire you to introduce another colour.
Discover how to create a monochrome hallway
If you’re not feeling confident about mixing patterns, a black and white colour scheme would be a good place to start. By using a monochrome palette, you can guarantee that pretty much any combination of patterns will work. Once you get this right, it may inspire you to introduce another colour.
Discover how to create a monochrome hallway
Layer for cosiness
The intricate patterns in a Persian rug make a real statement in a room. If your floor space is large, you could give it a cosier feel by laying a few together. Here, the similar-toned rugs work well to create a large block of colour, pattern and interest.
This idea would also work well with different-coloured rugs, and is a perfect way to cover the floor of an awkward-shaped room.
The intricate patterns in a Persian rug make a real statement in a room. If your floor space is large, you could give it a cosier feel by laying a few together. Here, the similar-toned rugs work well to create a large block of colour, pattern and interest.
This idea would also work well with different-coloured rugs, and is a perfect way to cover the floor of an awkward-shaped room.
Weave in a patterned lining
This bed canopy is a quirky feature in the room and the patterned fabric adds even more interest. It’s a fun idea to use a different fabric on each side and it works well here with the contrast between a floral design and a geometric one.
This same principle can be used for curtains, too. Instead of going for a plain lining, you could choose a contrasting pattern instead.
This bed canopy is a quirky feature in the room and the patterned fabric adds even more interest. It’s a fun idea to use a different fabric on each side and it works well here with the contrast between a floral design and a geometric one.
This same principle can be used for curtains, too. Instead of going for a plain lining, you could choose a contrasting pattern instead.
Spice up the bathroom
Ceramic materials in a bathroom offer a great opportunity to mix patterns. Here, the tiles on the wall and floor, as well as on the ceramic basins, all have the same red tone. This allows the contrasting patterns to work well together.
Read an expert guide to planning your bathroom tiling
Ceramic materials in a bathroom offer a great opportunity to mix patterns. Here, the tiles on the wall and floor, as well as on the ceramic basins, all have the same red tone. This allows the contrasting patterns to work well together.
Read an expert guide to planning your bathroom tiling
Make a statement
A clever way to mix patterns is to choose statement pieces in strong designs. Here, the bold prints on the sofa, armchairs and artwork complement each other despite being very different. It works because the colours sit well together, and the plain but strong accessories add harmony to the look.
A clever way to mix patterns is to choose statement pieces in strong designs. Here, the bold prints on the sofa, armchairs and artwork complement each other despite being very different. It works because the colours sit well together, and the plain but strong accessories add harmony to the look.
Have fun in a kid’s room
Children’s rooms are usually inspiring and fun, so are great spaces to let your creativity run wild. In this nursery, layers of pattern add visual interest to all parts of the room. There’s pattern on the ceiling, the walls, the window treatments, the bedding and even the pouffe.
What makes this mix of patterns work is the balanced colour scheme, which is inspired by the polka-dot pattern on the blind. By matching your scheme with one pattern in the room, you’ll ensure the total look is a success.
Children’s rooms are usually inspiring and fun, so are great spaces to let your creativity run wild. In this nursery, layers of pattern add visual interest to all parts of the room. There’s pattern on the ceiling, the walls, the window treatments, the bedding and even the pouffe.
What makes this mix of patterns work is the balanced colour scheme, which is inspired by the polka-dot pattern on the blind. By matching your scheme with one pattern in the room, you’ll ensure the total look is a success.
Incorporate accessories
Pattern can be layered in many ways, and not just by fabrics or wallpaper. Here, the simple checked pattern on the plant pots adds even more interest to this vibrant room.
Planters and vases are a great way to add pattern, and they can easily be mixed up and changed around as and when you want a new look.
Pattern can be layered in many ways, and not just by fabrics or wallpaper. Here, the simple checked pattern on the plant pots adds even more interest to this vibrant room.
Planters and vases are a great way to add pattern, and they can easily be mixed up and changed around as and when you want a new look.
Add natural elements
This already colourful room has been given an extra boost of pattern with a simple bunch of flowers. The choice of petal colour has been inspired by the patterned cushions on either side.
It’s a fun way to introduce bright shades and works well with the more subtle colours on the wall and curtains behind.
Do you like to use layers of pattern in your own interiors? Or do you have a more minimalist style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This already colourful room has been given an extra boost of pattern with a simple bunch of flowers. The choice of petal colour has been inspired by the patterned cushions on either side.
It’s a fun way to introduce bright shades and works well with the more subtle colours on the wall and curtains behind.
Do you like to use layers of pattern in your own interiors? Or do you have a more minimalist style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
When layering up patterns, you can create a cohesive look by choosing similar designs in different colourways. Here, the lampshade and blinds are made from the same fabric in different hues, while the pattern on the sofa also has a diamond theme. There’s a lot going on here, but the repetition of shapes helps it all hang together.