Mixing Patterns and Textures: Creating Depth and Interest in Your Home

You’ve chosen the color palette for your home. Complemented it with basic furniture. Added some decor here and there. But… Something just feels missing. What is it, you ask yourself.

When you look closely, you notice it’s a lack of character. This is because you haven’t added enough textures and patterns (which help add visual interest).

When done correctly, this approach can add depth and interest to your home. It can take a space from boring to beautiful, and make it feel incredibly inviting.

However, it’s not as simple as… well, choosing patterns and textures. There are quite some factors to keep in mind—keep reading to learn all about them 🤍

Start with a Color Palette

Before we get to choosing exciting patterns and textures, let’s talk about the base: the color palette. If you’re starting from scratch, you want to look for inspiration first (for example, Pinterest, Houzz, etc.). 

You can set a monochromatic palette, where you use different shades of the same color. Alternatively, you can combine colors that work well together. Looking at your favorite art piece and extracting hues is an easy way to do so; the creators have already brainstormed combinations that work well together 😉

If you’re working with an existing color palette, you can pick hues already used in your decor—and use these when choosing new patterns and textures.

Understand the Different Pattern Scales

Patterns come in different scales, which we would generally like to categorize as:

• Large-scale patterns (like oversized florals, geometric designs)
• Medium-scale patterns (like plaid, polka dots)
• Small-scale patterns (like tiny checks)

To create harmony, you want to avoid mixing large patterns together. We’re looking for a coherent flow here; let’s see how that can be achieved below.

Choose a Dominant Pattern

First off, you want to select one primary pattern; this will act as the focal point in the room. This will preferably be a large-scale pattern that can be seen in a large area of the room. For example, an accent wall, statement furniture, or a large rug. Allow this pattern to set the tone of the space and guide the selection of additional patterns.

Choose Complementary Patterns

Now, you want to look for complementary patterns that you will use in smaller doses (by smaller dose, we mean something like the throw pillows). These patterns should vary in scale and design, but you want to use the color palette to tie them together. This means when mixing a large-scale floral pattern—such as the Modern Wild Flower Orchid—with a small-scale triangular one, like the Modern Trigon Noir, there should be some sort of similarity in the color scheme of both patterns.

Balance Bold with Subtle

It’s not just scale that matters; the impact of the pattern makes a difference, too. If you’ve first chosen a vibrant bold pattern, like the Yamuna Velvet Emerald, you want to pair this with a more understated pattern, such as the Ziro Leaf Moss, elsewhere in the room.

 

Use Solids to Break Up Patterns

Too many patterns can get overwhelming at times. When you feel so, the trick is to break them up with solids. Continuing our example from the previous section, you can upholster some of your furniture pieces in Casa Velvet Banana Sundae to separate a patterned rug and throw pillows.

Consider Where You’re Adding Patterns

Patterns can draw attention to various areas in your home. For example, an accent wall can draw attention to itself (the wall/nook). On the other hand, a patterned rug can bring focus to the seating area it is laid under. Think about the most important feature in your room, and use patterns to draw attention towards it.

Use Textures for Tactile Dimension

On the other hand, textures make the space more inviting. Generally, texture relates to the surface quality of a material. They can be visual (like the appearance of the texture) or tactile (like the feel of the texture). Textures can be smooth—like polished marble—or rough, like burlap, and when you use different ones together, you can add depth to the decor. This also makes the space super inviting.

Layer Different Textures

To make the most of textures, you want to layer different types.

• Combine hard and soft textures. If you have a sleek leather sofa, you want to balance it with cozy throws and a fluffy rug.
• Layer different fabric textures. For example, a cotton throw pillow—like the Nouveau Heron Cream Rectangular Piped Edge Cushion—against a jacquard armchair (upholstered in Peak Herringbone Woven Jacquard Pewter) can add interest.
• Add natural materials to add some earthy qualities to the space. For example, a jute rug under a marble coffee table. Or perhaps wooden picture frames hung on a plaster wall. Another fun idea is using a Florence Ribbon Tieback with velvet curtains.

 

Test Before You Pick

We understand that looking at photos of fabrics doesn’t give you a true feel of its color, texture, etc. And when you haven’t looked at a fabric closely, you aren’t as confident in mixing and matching it for your interior. That’s why we offer fabric samples (starting at £1.25). Once you’ve brainstormed your combination, you can order the samples to get a tangible feel of the material and design. And when you’re 100% sure you love the idea of the combination, you can order the fabrics in the quantity you need.

Start with Accents

If you’re new to combining textures and patterns, begin with accents. For example, add patterns through throw pillows. And incorporate textures by laying down a cozy rug. Doing so makes sure the setting doesn’t get overwhelming (which can easily be the case for first-timers). Plus, you can switch out soft furnishings as and when you wish.

Add Metallics for Balance

Once you’ve added those patterns and textures, you want to make sure the look doesn’t get too crowded. One way to do so is with metallics, such as gold, silver, and copper. Consider a metallic vase on a textured coffee table. Or perhaps a brass floor lamp next to those patterned made-to-measure curtains. (This is another form of texture—but its sleek finish keeps the look grounded).

Final Words

When you get the balance just right, you’ll get a space that feels dynamic—with this beautiful sense of movement—but, at the same time, it will be cohesive. And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of the setup the first time… you shall perfect it over time 😉