14 easy ways to decorate with pattern
Plain walls not doing it for you any longer? Then pattern is the way to go and there's no need to hold back – after all, if you’re going to the effort of a refresh, it makes sense to opt for something that will really make a difference.
Pattern has a place in every modern interior: for those who err on the side of caution, a simple monochrome pattern can add depth and texture to a neutral room, while large-scale, dramatic motifs can modernise and add a touch of playfulness. You can introduce pattern by mixing wallpaper in a bold feature wall, piling printed cushions and throws onto a sofa, laying geometric tiles in your hallway, or picking that one perfectly patterned piece of furniture. Read on for some inspiration...
Team old and new
Classic for a reason, blue and white is the most reliable colour combination around. Go for a timeless pattern and you’ve got the basis for a look that will work in any setting. The pretty wallpaper in this dining area, inspired by the Delft tiles first created in the 17th century, is the perfect partner to contemporary furniture, but would be just as striking with more traditional pieces.
Pictured: Blue Garden wallpaper, Lyric Papers
Keep adding layers
Pattern on pattern is all about confidence and character. Here, a delicate chintzy wallpaper creates a gorgeous backdrop to striped cushions, decorative upholstery and a bold rug with a standout design. The whole look works thanks to the use of tonal shades, the boldest of which has been used on the woodwork and shutters to add drama but keep everything just this side of over the top.
Pictured: Jaipur Flower wallpaper in Ruby, Dado Atelier at The Roost
Get arty
Want to jazz up your walls without the commitment of wallpaper? Large enough to make a statement and light enough to move around, an oversized canvas painted in an eye-catching pattern is a fun and inexpensive solution. Position it off-centre for a casual modern feel.
Pictured: Hypnos Bespoke Opulent Hideaway double divan set and Nordic oak lamp table, both Furniture Village. For a similar large blank canvas, try Canvas Store
Add a statement rug
It would be hard to find a quicker way to transform a room than with a rug. As a portable piece that can easily be changed as your mood or the seasons evolve, it’s a safe, non-permanent way to introduce a daring new design into your scheme. Here, the stripes of the rug echo the lines of the bookcase for an orderly and streamlined feel.
Pictured: Payen orange velvet and rubberwood armchair, Oliver Bonas. For a similar rug, try Rugs.co.uk. For a similar side table, try The Urban Mill. For a similar lamp, try Homebase
Decorate underfoot
One up from rugs, use floor tiles to introduce pattern into your kitchen, bathroom, or in high-traffic areas like a hallway. Tiling is a great way to introduce geometric pattern without it feeling too modern; choose aged effect tiles with Art Deco patterns in soft hues of blue, grey, or black.
Pictured: House Beautiful Mediterranean Emilia Vinyl, Carpetright
Make it fun
Some patterns are meant to be together. Take stripes, checks and spots – they’ll mix and match perfectly if you vary the scale and choose shades that work together, like the sky blue and pink here. Use them on walls, textiles, crockery and add a few plain pieces for contrast. Finish with one disrupter colour, like the lime green on this shelving unit that brings a little acid to the sweetness.
Pictured: Joy Stripe Coral wallpaper, Harvey dining table, Churchgate chairs, gingham table runner, gingham seat pad covers, all Dunelm
Start small
For those who are tentatively introducing pattern, it’s wise to start with soft furnishings. Adding a patterned cushion to an otherwise plain sofa is a discreet way to add hints of interest without becoming overwhelmed.
Pictured: House Beautiful Darcy Sofa in mustard, DFS
Consider the view
If you’re wallpapering adjacent rooms, it’s a great opportunity to ramp up the pattern factor in your home. Think about how they’ll work together to maintain a sense of flow – using complementary colours and varying scales of similar patterns are great ways to do this. Here, the coherent look is enhanced by the doorway, painted a similar shade to the wallpaper, framing the view into the next room.
Pictured: Lisboa wallpaper in Cornflower and China Tea wallpaper in Green, both Dado Atelier at The Roost
Print and repeat
Choosing one shape to use all around the room gives the impression of cohesiveness, even if you mix colour and scale. Here, block rectangles decorate cushions, flooring and ceramics in a mix of soft pastels and bold blue.
Choose a feature piece
A patterned feature piece can be just as impactful as a patterned wallpaper or rug. This upholstered footstool invites layers of soft furnishings (plump cushions and throws) and an earthy colour palette.
Pictured: French Connection Zinc footstool in orange, DFS
Lose yourself
A bathroom should be a place of sanctuary, so it needs to feel relaxing and be the perfect space to lie back and unwind. This cosy spot is ticking all the boxes with a gorgeous tub, green plants and handpainted tiles that have an abstract design of soft organic shapes in beautiful ocean shades. It’s all finished off with a driftwood-like shelf for a dreamy beachy vibe.
Pictured: Rio porcelain tiles, Ca' Pietra
Add subtlety
A busy pattern on roller blinds is deceptively versatile. Lightened by dappled sunlight, and positioned to show as much or as little pattern as you choose – this is pattern for the indecisive.
Pictured: House Beautiful Matchstick Mono Roller Blinds
Be bold with botanics
Chintzy designs have taken a bit of a back seat for the past few years, but they’re really having a moment now and we’re loving the fresh botanicals we’ve seen popping up everywhere recently. Featuring peacocks and palm trees, the statement design on these curtains has a heritage feel that would add a pleasingly whimsical look to the most modern of windows.
Pictured: Burdett Eucalyptus curtains, Laura Ashley x Curtains 2 Go
Juxtaposition
Two wallpapers in different patterns but complementary shades create a bold and totally unexpected effect. Use pale wood furniture, neutral whites and soft pastels throughout the rest of the room to prevent the look from becoming overwhelming.
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