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How To Mix Patterns In A Room Like A Designer

Get expert tips on how to mix patterns in a room like a designer and discover how mixing patterns like a pro can elevate your home to create a beautiful space that reflects your unique sense of style.

pillow pattern mixing like a designer

Master the art of mixing patterns and elevate your home decor game!

How To Mix Patterns In A Room Like A Designer

We have some expert tips on how to mix patterns in a room like a designer and discover how mixing patterns like a pro can elevate your home to create a beautiful space that reflects your unique sense of style.

Mixing patterns in interior design may initially seem like a daunting task, but fear not! With the right approach and a few simple guidelines, it can be an effortless process.

Don’t get intimidated by the idea of combining prints and textures; instead, embrace your creativity and discover the endless possibilities of mixing patterns in your interiors.

I’m seeing so many stunning examples of patterns used in interior design on my Instagram feed and, with spring nearby, I thought it may be a good idea for us to go over some guidelines on how to mix patterns!

This is not a new trend, of course. But, with the rise of Maximalism and Grandmillennial styles, patterns and mix-and-match styles have gained a newfound appreciation, making it easier than ever to find beautifully patterned elements that reflect your authentic style.

vintage style bedroom with floral wallpaper and texture patterned bedroom cover. Idea for mixing patterns like a designer
Image Source: Depositphotos

Have a Color Scheme

Before you start mixing fabric patterns, you need to focus on choosing a color scheme.

Having a color scheme is key no matter the style you’re going for but it’s especially important when mixing patterns. These colors will act as a guide and help you choose patterns that complement each other and elevate the final look.

The colors in a color scheme should work together and evoke the feeling you’re trying to evoke in the room.

For example, if you like the airy coastal home decor style, you would pick a dominant color like navy blue, ivory, light blue, or sea green.

traditional white and blue living room, mixing patterns like a designer idea
Image Source: Depositphotos

For your color base, I strongly recommend neutral colors, whether they are dark or light, cool or warm.

If you use neutral colors as the foundation, you can have a consistent look that will let you try different patterns and textures while keeping the appearance balanced.

Once you have your base color, you can start selecting patterns that complement it.

Play With Scales And Proportion

To guarantee success when matching patterns like a pro, try to play with the scale of your patterns!

living room area, featuring mixing patterns idea

Balancing busy patterns with simpler ones -like polka dots and herringbone or large florals with thin stripes is a way to ensure a lovely result that won’t overwhelm your space.

For example, if you have a bold floral wallpaper, you want to balance it out with a more subtle pattern on your throw pillows, like a small geometric one. The only thing to keep in mind in those situations is color balance, which takes us to our next point…

Use Color And Balance

Mixing patterns in interior design is all about achieving harmony. An essential key to achieving this is the use of balance and color to achieve a beautiful composition. My favorite way to do this is by replicating one or two similar color hues that run throughout the patterned elements in other areas of the room. This way, you create a “connecting thread” that ties everything together.

sitting area in outdoors, mixing patters like a designer dieas for the outdoors

In almost all situations, this creates a balanced composition that will look harmonious, no matter the pattern combo you choose.

Use Solids To Break Up Busy Patterns

Too much of a good thing can turn sour quickly and this applies to mixing patterns. Too many busy patterns can be overwhelming for a space and make it feel cluttered, so it’s important to give our eyes a visual rest. How? You’ll want to use solid colors within your color scheme to break up your patterns. In a room with one large pattern (a busy wallpaper on an accent wall, for instance), you’ll want to counter it with elements in solid colors and other patterns facing the wallpaper rather than next to it.

cottage style bedroom with patterned wallpaper and pillows, idea for mixing patterns
Image Source: Depositphotos

Using solid colors and placement, you’ll break up an overwhelming pattern and balance the visual composition.

Experiment With Texture

Mixing patterns is not just about combining prints, it’s also about experimenting with texture. Textured solid colors are a more gentle way to introduce patterns to your spaces and are much easier to combine with bolder patterns.

modern bedroom with pattern mixing elements

If you’re bold, you can also use textured solids instead of plain solid colors, to create a layered and lush look in your space.

Although not patterns per se, mixing texture allows you to add depth and interest to the space similarly to classic patterns.

Test It Out

If you’re still unsure about how to go about it, my biggest advice is to test it out! This should be a fun process, but it can be challenging, so trying things out and gradually adding patterns to your decor is foolproof. 

One way to test pattern mixing is by laying out different scraps of fabrics and swatches together to see how they look. This allows you to see how patterns work together, check if they clash, how the colors work with the room, etc. 

Adding small decorative items with interesting patterns is also an easy way to try your hand at patterns and composition without disrupting your decor too much.

bedroom featuring mix patterns in green, ivory and pale yellow. Example of how to mix patterns like a design in interior design

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yellow striped pillow | black & tan embroidered throw pillow | black & white geometric pillow cover | natural and red pillow cover | peel & stick floral wallpaper | blue and white geometric pouf | yellow geometric pouf | light blue & white comforter set | striped accent chair | yellow & white throw blanket

Frequently Asked Questions

How many patterns can you mix in one room?

There are no hard-set rules but you shouldn’t mix more than 3 or 4 patterns together.

How can I mix patterns without making my room look cluttered?

The biggest mistakes in mixing patterns in interior design are using too many competing patterns and ignoring negative space. You can avoid these issues by picking patterns that complement one another and breaking up busy patterns with solid colors to give the eye a rest.

What patterns go well together?

  • Thin stripes + Thick Stripes + Textured Solids
  • Toile + Herringbone 
  • Ticking Stripes + Large Florals + Chevron
  • Damasks + Polka Dots + Florals
  • Botanicals + Geometrics

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