The Must-Know Secrets to Mixing and Matching Patterns at Home

Looking for a way to infuse new life into your decor? Use patterns! From big, leafy florals to teeny-tiny stripes, mixing and matching motifs is a sure-fire strategy to transform a 'play-it-safe' scheme into a statement-making space.

But, if the thought of clashing colours and jarring designs sends you into a panic, don't run and hide. With a little insider knowledge, playing with patterns is much easier than you might think. Here are a few tried-and-true tricks to help you explore your mix and match personality.

Zigzags, chevrons, stripes, ditsy, and dots; there is such a plethora of patterns out there, that at times the choice can be overwhelming. Most fall into two categories; free-flowing organic designs that are typically inspired by nature and have lots of movement, and geometric styles that consist of simple repeating shapes like triangles, squares and circles. Similar to chocolate and chilli, opposites attract, so don't be afraid to pair checks with flowers or animal prints with polka dots.

The simplest way to achieve a harmonious scheme is to select a show-stopping focal pattern as your jumping-off point, then choose your other designs based around the same colour palette. No matter if you're designing a subtle sanctuary or a bold boudoir, use solids in matching hues and plenty of neutral shades to create moments of calm amongst the pattern and prints.

While you may want to ease into patterns by only picking one to play with first, interior designers often say the key to mixing and matching is to combine three prints in varying sizes, for example, a narrow stripe with a midsize herringbone and an oversized floral.

Then, when layering your chosen pieces, think of your bedroom as a pie (pecan, pumpkin, lemon meringue, whatever takes your fancy!). Use a 60% slice of the space for the main pattern (such as on your wallpaper or bed linen), 20% for the smaller prints and designs (scatter cushions or bed throws) and at least 10-15% for a solid colour. The maths doesn't need to be exact but distributing patterns evenly throughout your room, rather than piling them up in one spot, will avoid a lop-sided look and help create a sense of balance.

Finish your space with designer-inspired flair by enhancing patterns with texture. Slubby linen bedding, quilted cotton throws and chunky waffle knit cushions will add a subtle point of difference, breaking up large chunks of print and lending an extra dose of cosiness to your bedroom.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get started on your pattern mixing journey! But keep in mind, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don't be afraid to break the rules, as sometimes the best motif matches come together in the most organic and unexpected ways. Be bold and trust your instincts.

Have a great pattern-mixing day all!