How To Mix & Match Patterns For An Updated Space

If you have been following me on social media for any length of time, I am sure you are aware of my fabric fetish. I find it incredibly satisfying to be able to completely change the look of a room with just mixing and matching different textiles and patterns on the fabrics within a room.

I want to share with my favorite technique that you can implement quickly to decorate your space.

Step 1: Refine Your Palette
We can come up with a completely new look for your space or work with your existing one. If you want a complete refresh, I’ll ask a few questions and come up with a brand new palette for you. Or, if you’re going to keep your update on the lite side, I can always work with what you have currently. 

Step 2: Discover Your Design Bridge
Sometimes your home is lacking what is called a “design bridge”, which is quite simply the connection of all colors within in a room in relation to each other. I am not just speaking about the walls here; I am referring to the color of the sofa, the lamps, the pillows, the rug, the artwork, and the finishes on metals; literally, everything. The lack of a design bridge often makes a room seem incomplete and leads to you feel like something is missing. Let me explain further.

For example, I enter my clients freshly painted home, and they have a brand new sofa, side tables, lamps, accessories, and perhaps a beautiful stone fireplace as the focal point. I could use pattern, scale, and color in fabrics for throw pillows, a table runner, and some window treatments. Additionally, a new area rug to anchor the furniture would help as well as some abstract artwork in a coordinating palette for the naked walls.

Step 3: Vary the Scales of Your Patterns
Now, let’s go back to my sentence about adding fabrics. I mentioned pattern “scale’. What exactly does this mean? Well, fabrics come in a wide variety of designs and colors, and designers typically use several within a room. How do we do it? We make sure that the patterns complement, not compete, with each other. I like to use at least three fabrics in any given room. A solid, a large pattern, and a small pattern. These fabrics must have colors and patterns that flow well with one another. 

Step 4: Our Fabric Swatches.  I enjoy giving my clients options, so I typically give them three options (so three combinations of three fabrics). This seems to be the easiest way to narrow down for final selections. Some combinations may overlap each other if I feel a specific pattern or color is a better choice. 

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