How to Mix and Match Spring Patterns and Textiles in Your Home

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March marks the beginning of spring and after the long hard winter you may be ready to revive your space with an infusion of color. The latest spring patterns and textiles are vibrant and fun, but perhaps you struggle with knowing how to properly mix and match patterns to create an effortlessly chic look. Today, I am going to give you four tips on how to mix and match spring patterns and textiles like a pro!

how to mix patterns and textiles

1. Start with an inspiration fabric.

A fabulous large-scale designer fabric is often a good starting point for any room. Note that if you are using a bold large scale rug or wallpaper, then that will be the large-scale pattern you use to inspire the rest of your room design. Try to find a pattern that includes at least three different colors. A bold floral pattern typically works well.

how to mix patterns

source: fabric.com

2. Decide upon a color palette.

If you have already chosen paint colors and have existing textiles to work with, be sure to bring paint and fabric swatches with you to the fabric store. You should choose no more than 3 to 4 colors in your color palette to create the most streamlined look. Using the fabric above, I decided to use four bold colors for my room design: sea-green, raspberry, marigold, and citron.

3. Mix the scale of the patterns.

You don’t want to use patterns that compete with each other in size and scale. For example, the two patterns below share a similar color palette but they are both large scale patterns and are competing for attention when next to each other. They do not serve each other well when paired together because they are too similar.

Instead, I need to eliminate one of the large scale patterns and mix it with a smaller scale that isn’t as busy such as a stripe or smaller scale geometric.

mixing patterns

By using a mix of florals, stripes, checks, geometrics and solids that compliment one another, you will create a designer look that doesn’t overwhelm. Remember also to use 5 or less patterns in a room, and be sure to add some solids to help give the eye somewhere to rest. When you choose the colors from you inspiration fabric and vary your scale, a surprising mix of patterns will look collectively chic together.

4. Use patterns to draw the eye and create a focal point.

Typically, you will want to spread patterns out around the room so that one area of the room doesn’t carry too much visual weight. Below are the fabrics I have chosen to use in my room. The floral fabric and lace striped fabric are visually “heavy” and should be used on opposite sides of the room to balance each other out. If I choose to use to use a lot of a bold fabric or textile pattern in drapes, wallpaper or a rug, I would pair it with a smaller scale fabric and solids to allow the bold pattern to take center stage.

mixing patterns textiles

Here is a nursery that is utilizing similar fabric choices and a similar color palette. Notice how the corner of the room is the focal point with a floral, stripe, and chevron fabric within the same color family paired with a neutral chair and solid wall color. Pops of coordinating colors are used throughout the bookshelf.

mix of patterns

via Project Nursery

By following these tips, you will be able to create rooms that look effortlessly chic and not overly fussy. And as always, these are simply tips and suggestions and not hard-fast rules. In decorating, the most important “rule” is that you love the look you create! Happy spring decorating!

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