Take your look to the next level with fabric patterns and prints that fly solo or play together. Think stripes, plaid, animal prints, floral, geometric patterns, and so many more — we promise they’re not scary to decorate with. Ahead, you’ll find out how to mix patterns, plus some of our favorite ways to incorporate prints. Mixing patterns at home is one of the most fun things to do in interior design, and luckily there are many ways to do this with different products.
Image courtesy of Anna Rafferty Schreiber
What patterns go well together?
This is an excellent place to start if you’re unsure of trying this at home. A good, noncommittal place to start is with printed clothing items in your closet. Hold up a few different patterns together (or try them on) and think about what you like together. We’ve also rounded up some of our favorite patterns that go together, whether it’s your wardrobe, some pillows, wall art, accent chairs, rugs, and more.
What patterns go with stripes?
Great news: Stripes are basically a neutral so they go with everything (we promise). Put stripes with floral, stripes with plaid, stripes with damask, stripes with polka dots, stripes with leopard print — anything goes.
What patterns go with chevron?
Similar to stripes, chevron is an almost-neutral print that goes with just about everything. We love chevrons paired up with polka dots. Chevron patterns also go with florals, ikat, damask, and more.
What patterns go with damask?
Simply put, damask is an elaborate floral that’s been woven into damask fabric. It usually takes on a very classic, elegant look and is often seen in wallpaper, area rugs, bedding, and decorative pillows. Pairing it with different patterns can give damask a more contemporary, fun look. It looks great with stripes, polka dots, plaids, and chevron.
What patterns go with paisley?
Many people avoid paisley because it can look dated and doesn’t pair with anything. We disagree. Paisley can be fun and vintage-inspired. It looks on-trend with solid colors but also with stripes, geometric prints, and polka dots.
What patterns go with floral?
Floral can take on any look; they’re romantic, feminine, edgy, classic, contemporary, and eclectic, depending on what you mix and match them with. Some of our favorite floral combinations are with leopard print, stripes, geometric prints, polka dots, and plaid.
What patterns go with ikat?
Ikat is a dyeing technique done by binding yarns and fabric to create a desired pattern. The result is a unique, beautiful blurred pattern (usually in blue) that is often seen in boho designs and global style. Ikat can go with anything from stripes and dots to florals, plaids, and chevron.
Now that you’ve learned some of the patterns that pair perfectly together, read on to see the different ways you can match (or mismatch, rather) them!
Mix Patterns by Color
The easiest way to create a cohesiveness with pattern mixing is with color. If you’re unsure of combining florals, plaids, geometric patterns, you can keep them in the same color palette to have a unifying thread. For instance, try blue or red or black (any common color pattern) to keep things orderly. You’ll know when you see the look if something is off.
Project by Albertina Cisneros, Mimosa Lane
Mix & Match Rugs & Pillows
If the idea of a printed sofa or chair is a bit too much, don’t worry — we can start small. Begin the mix and match trend with printed pillows and an area rug. Whether you’re mixing patterns in a living room or your bedroom, these same tips apply. Start off with a few decorative pillows in patterns you’re drawn to (don’t think too much about it; just go for it). Just be sure to use three or more patterns — pick one print that makes a statement, a second print that’s smaller or the same size as the first one with like colors, and a third that’s similar to either of the prints and use two or three of the colors in other patterns. If you use a fourth or more, keep the pattern small.
Add Printed Accent Chairs
Love that plaid accent chair or the floral wingback chair? Go for it! By having one (or two) patterned accents chairs in an otherwise neutral living room, you get a “Why, yes, this happens to be a floral chair” vibe that’s both effortless and makes a statement. Mixing fabric patterns when decorating makes a stunning style statement and, when done right, looks amazing with a printed rug and some pillows (or wallpaper and wall art) — however you want to play with patterns in your space!
Play With Size & Scale
Rooms that utilize a combination of patterns also combine different sizes of patterns. The best way to go about this is with a large pattern on a large-scale space (wallpaper or a large-scale wall art) or rugs, medium-sized patterns on furniture, and smaller prints on decor pieces such as vases, pillows, and table lamps.
Mix & Match Dining Chairs
This one is super easy: Add a patterned dining chair at the head of the table for something really unique and unexpected. This allows you to play with prints, clash styles, and add extra seating to your dining table.
Mixing and matching prints at home is fun and easy once you know how to break the rules. Remember, you can do whatever makes you and your space happy, but the best way to pull this off is to distribute patterns evenly, stick to at least three prints and vary them in size, and when in doubt, use a unifying color scheme. Most importantly, have fun and be creative!
