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Mixing Patterns in Room Design

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1303 -- More Projects »
Decorator Jackie Woll explains how to mix patterns when designing a room.

Mixing patterns in room design can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be if you follow these basic guidelines:


  • You can mix as many patterns as you want as long as they come in a variety of dimensions. This is where scale comes into play. The patterns should range from small to large. In this way they balance each other out and make the combination of patterns harmonious instead of clashing. Florals can be mixed if you change the scale and the background colors.

  • Do plaids, stripes and florals really go together? The answer is yes. Again, scale is important. For example, mix a large floral with a small plaid.
PHOTO

Figure A
  • Proportion and proximity/placement is important. How much area a pattern covers in a room and how close it is to other patterns has an effect on its impact and how much you can use it. Remember, when you're developing a room, it looks different on the table or storyboard than in the room. On a storyboard, the fabric swatches are roughly of equal size (figure A). In the room, patterns will play differently because the pieces they cover will be of varying sizes.

  • It's good to mix harder fabrics with softer fabrics and/or shiny fabrics. This reiterates the rule about mixing various dimensions, balancing between small, medium and large patterns.
    • PHOTO

    Figure B
  • If you have a favorite fabric, take off from there with your color scheme for the room. Once you have a favorite fabric you can start blending to that one. Don't worry about where you're using that fabric at first. You will find a place for it. For instance, a faux painted wall can be matched with a favorite fabric that has been turned into drapes (figure B).
    • PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Longevity of the room is something to consider. If you use a solid fabric on a few of the large pieces, you can switch out pillows and throws (figure C) as your color scheme changes without changing the large, costly items. Often changing a few of the smaller items changes the whole look of the room.
    • Guests
    Jackie Woll
    Interior Designer
    Phone: 612-805-5249
    Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1303
    •Creating Funky Junk
    •Mixing Patterns in Room Design
    •Making the Most of Your Eggs
    •Tip of the Day
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