How to Decorate With Patterned Furniture
- 1). Pick a color palette before you choose patterns. If you plan on using multiple patterns in a single room, limit your color scheme to three colors. Too many colors along with a variety of patterns make a room unorganized. Find colors that blend together well before selecting patterns.
- 2). Choose a few patternless neutral items. Plain white walls, simple stained or painted furniture, or a solid-color floor will go a long way in providing balance to a room. Purposefully leave a few big items "blank" to make the patterns stand out more.
- 3). Layer contrasting patterns next to each other. A couple of patterns, like a green floral print against a green stripe pattern, contrast each other directly in form, but bring a sense of visual stimulation to a room. Consider putting geometric-patterned pillows over a striped sofa or drape a floral-patterned blanket over an ottoman cover in a plaid print. Examine the contrast first before settling on a specific pattern.
- 4). Vary the scale of the patterns used in fabric, textiles and walls. A large geometric wallpaper pattern combined with small geometric-patterned accessories can make a room look larger, adding dimension and depth to your decor. Pick a few patterns that vary in scale to change the perception of size and scale for both the room and the furniture.
- 5). Mix and match different pattern styles with furniture pieces. Find pieces with modern-looking fabrics upholstered on traditional-styled pieces or vice versa. Shaking up a room's decor by mixing styles along with patterns can create an electric, shabby-chic look. Limit the colors in your palette when mixing the patterns in fabric and the patterns created by different furniture styles.