tips + tricks for combining patterns

We’re thrilled to cover this topic today, because it may be one of our very favorite subjects. We receive a lot of questions on this one, especially since our last coffee talk video. {<—- see it here} Today, we thought we’d talk more about all things pattern combos.

From the wallpaper to the rug and everything in between, here are a few of my very favorite principles and guides when it comes to combining patterns. 

1. Scale 

Whenever you bring in two or more patterns, make sure that the patterns aren’t competing in terms of size.

You’ll want to mix up whichever ones you’re using together, in terms of size and interest.

So a small pattern mixed in with a larger pattern is a great way to go. You’re already winning if you think about of hierarchy and the way the patterns play together in the space. Scale is a great place to start. 

2. Contrast

Scaled back with bold and bright are always great options for a space. We love both toned down, and bold patterns.

Or in their shapes: geometric with organic.

If you look carefully in the spaces we’ve designed, you’ll see examples of both. The same as the concept above, think in terms of patterns that play well together, and don’t compete. 

3. Connections

Look for connections in the patterns you want to use. Is there a common tone throughout that can tie them all together?

Can the rug work with the wallpaper because it has a muted vibe that doesn’t compete with too many colors in the other patterns brought in with pillows?

Is there a common blue vibe going on throughout the pieces you’re looking to bring into the space?

Note: You don’t have to match colors perfectly, just make sure they ‘go’.

They can play nicely together in terms of color, as long as they’re close. They don’t have to match dead on. See the colors we used below: a little bit of warmth in the orange with reds in the other fabric, but it all ties nicely with the blues and golds we brought in as well. 

4. Balance

In a way, this encapsulates everything we wrote above. If there’s a nice contrast when it comes to scale and tone and color and over all vibes, you’re going to strike balance in the space. This is when all your patterns tie together nicely, and don’t fight for attention in the room. 

One particular way we really search for balance is in diversifying our colors where we can.

Both warm and cool tones are the very best when it comes to colorful spaces. 

Bonus: textures count, too.

We think that a nice way to mix them up, is to bring in interesting texture when it comes to all things mixing and matching.

This keeps it fresh, and is always a nice additional element to play with in the space. 

5. Repeat

Repetition, at least once, is always a great way to establish pattern play in your space. We think that using the pattern in another way, “shores up” the design, and helps establish structure in all things repetition.

Practice different ways to use the same pattern or idea more than once, and it helps bring unity and balance to all your pattern use in the space. 

Here’s how I break it down, in the simplest of forms – you can apply this to any element you bring in your home. We used it with pillows, here. 

I don’t always go by this formula, but it’s a great guide to get started, and training your mind to think this way…

 

For the solid colors, you can mix it in with texture options, too.

But you can see here where this simple formula really encapsulates all the principles we pointed out above. Once you break it down and get the ideologies of design under your belt, it really becomes instinctual over time. You can also diversify in so many other ways, but this is a great place to start.

Examples of our designs using this “rule” : 

Basically all the photos above, but here are a few that come to mind… 

Organic {in the Euro pillows, which also pick up some of the headboard colors in the space} + geometric {went simple with stripes, which also repeat when it comes to color, in the secondary pillows on our bed} + textured {see where this works here? It kind of throws it all off a little, and adds interest beyond the simple ideals of pattern with an entirely new element}.

The rug in the space is also a simple black and white geometric, which reinforces the stripes but also plays nicely with the rest of the patterns, giving it all a little space to breathe in between simple solids and some neutrals.

It’s fun, without fighting in the design. 

Geometric: {stripes + houndstooth} + Organic {Rug + pillows} + Solids in the main pieces which bring balance to the space. 

Examples where I’ve broken “the rule” : 

Sometimes, when it comes to “the formula” I’m working with existing pieces, and bringing in more for the client.

You can see where I followed it a little more loosely here. 

Texture on texture worked really nicely to blend with all things organic pattern in the rug. We just played with her existing pieces, and brought in more texture to carry it through. If you see subtle patterns, they’re in stripes to play nicely with the rug, and then in textures to offset the design and bring balance. 

Aiden’s room: Plaid on plaid on stripes on plaid!

We think this works because it’s offset by a. the diversity of our plaids b. the neutrals and solids which bring balance to the space. We also have some good textures as well.

As you can see, the above is not a hard and fast rule at all, but we do think that it’s a good guide to work with until you get your “pattern” legs.

See what we did there? I’ll stop now.

One could argue here that I used organic wallpaper with an organic rug. 

Why it works: We sought balance with both solid and muted tones of the furniture {and actual wallpaper} along with simple additions in the pillows like stripes, subtle textures and solids to break it up. Tada!

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We hope this helped answer some of your questions when it comes to all things pattern, and how they work together nicely in the space. 

As always, let us know if you have any questions. And we’d love to hear your tips, too!

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And just in case you’re curious…

We don’t believe in the dream home, we believe in your home. And we can’t wait to help you discover it all over again.

The Handmade Home : Love Where You Dwell. 

The Handmade Home is thrilled to bring both full on rehab and design services to our clients.

We offer in-person, full service design options, from a complete kitchen overhaul to a simple consult in your home on how to spruce it all up. If your kiddo needs a big kid room, your home could use some paint palette ideas, or even a brand new build from the ground up… we’re glad to help. Both nationally and locally in the Nashville area, we even offer a wealth of resources for our clients, right at their fingertips.

If you’d like to hear more about what we have to offer for you {because the possibilities really are endless} please be sure to check out our design services page, here! While you’re at it, be sure to check out our completed projects here.

We look forward to hearing from you, and we welcome the opportunity to work with you!

To read more about us, be sure to check out this page here, as well.

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Have an inspired day!