How to mix and match with patterns

Today's colorful fabrics and wall coverings offer a wealth of possibilities for introducing pattern into a room. Although one well-chosen pattern can make a significant design statement, interplay of patterns can produce an effect that is even more striking.

Pattern is always impressive and its ability to impress comes from a variety of qualities – each of value to a designer. Pattern can be spectacular in bold colors or an oversized design; it can be subtle, yet still quite impressive when repeated in various areas of room.

If you want to establish a particular mood, wallpaper patterns can make all the difference. Mini-prints, calicos, and lively little ginghams impart a country feeling; bold graphic, geometric, and large-scale stripes complement clean lined, contemporary design.

Finding a common color theme is one of the best ways to tie two or more patterns together. If you are working with several prints in the same room, start by selecting the predominant pattern, the one with largest scale or boldest color. You are practically assured of a successful scheme if you follow these simple guidelines:

1. Use the dominant color in the fabric chosen for the largest areas in the room – the wall or ceiling – and underscore that color in the floor treatment.

2. The second-brightest shade can be used for large, upholstered pieces, as well as for the window treatment, without overwhelming the eye. It is also a good idea to repeat a bit of this color in the floor covering.

3. The sharpest color in the fabric becomes an accent color in the room. Use it sparingly in art and accessories.

4. Never give two or more colors equal importance in a room; give one dominance, and let the other play counterpoint.

5. Never use a color just once; if your bring in a yellow throw pillow, add corresponding yellow touches elsewhere in the room.


Besides colors, you should also consider the scale of your pattern. In general, strong patterns work best when given top billing. A large-scale floral will work well with a medium-scale geometric pattern and a mini-print. Small-scale patterns can add punch to a room without vying for attention from the dominant patterns because they often appear to be solid colors when viewed from a distance.

If you are still in a quandary over how to mix and match patterns, a convenient solution is to use pattern collections from the same supplier. You can select from as many as five or six patterns, all designed to blend compatibly. These products are usually categorized by color. You simply decide on the primary color, then choose from a selection of patterns that share those hues, you will find that these collections include a broad range of color-coordinated products; wall coverings, fabrics, bed linens, bath accessories, paint, paper ware, ceramic tile, lampshades, comforters and window shades. These collections not only take the guesswork out of mixing and matching patterns, they also can offer inspiration for a fresh new color scheme.

Today's collections range from contemporary to traditional in style and are available in a variety of price range. You may be familiar with brand name collections; the full access of internet search for international flavor has become evident. If you are looking for mix and match from different suppliers on the internet, you should give allowance to actual color to screen color of the actual item. Monitor setting can vary greatly. Same color name from different merchants can differ a great deal in real. Download product pictures from web pages to compare and play around the patterns and colors.