Pattern and Texture

Sometimes we find ourselves in a creative rut with our home design. It can be difficult to make visible changes without spending a ton of money, but using various patterns and textures is a great way to express creativity and bring excitement into your home, and it is one of the easiest ways to create points of interest and define your personal style. You can introduce as much or as little as you like! Try searching out patterns and textures that are new to you. Introduce yourself to the softness of mohair or the vintage vibe of chenille. It can also be fun to play with historic textiles such as toile de Jouy, matelassé, damask, or chintz.

Mixing toile de jouy and animal prints

Be sure to repeat patterns and texture to bring depth and movement to a room. Ideally these elements should come after you’ve chosen the main color scheme, but if you already own something with an interesting pattern or texture, you may want to use that piece as a building block for your room design. Soft furnishings such as throw pillows, drapery, upholstery, and rugs are an easy place to introduce patterns. Remember that there’s no need to coordinate everything in sight, but it’s a good idea to have some kind of a game plan.

Anything tactile is a good alternative to pattern, and if you can mix different textures together for a luxurious layered look, so much the better. Cross the fluffiness of sheepskin with the warmth of knits, and the soft sheen of velvet with embroidery. A fur throw is a great addition to any room. If you don’t want to go for real fur, there is a range of fake varieties available that creates a similarly glamorous look.

Beautiful textures on soft furnishings

Kate Walsh's bedroom

If you aren’t confident in using many different textures and patterns together, start small! Restrict their use to small-scale items such as cushions, stools, and throws that can be moved around till they find their right place. Don’t be afraid! Mixing texture and pattern is much of what makes those rooms on the pages of magazines jump out at you and what makes them look professionally designed.  

Bold pattern mixing!

Now we want to hear from you. Let us know if you have any interesting mixtures of patterns or textures in your home. Or maybe you’re a self-admitted pattern-phobe! Either way, we’d love to see your pictures and hear about your adventures in pattern and texture!

[Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]