Pattern Mixing is an essential skill for a well designed room. This is an update to an ooold post, but the basic info is still spot on.

Back when we were teaching our Decorating 911 class, and discussing the "how to's" of choosing fabrics for a room, some of our class participants expressed fears about mixing patterns that I expect are fairly widespread...everything from worrying that it will be too busy, to unsure how many and what criteria to use for selections.  

While everyone has different comfort levels with color and pattern, it is important that each room contains a variety of fabric textures and patterns to keep the space from being bland.  Contrast in texture ... silky with a sheen, contrasted with matte OR embroidered or embossed alongside velvety, can be enough to add interest even with a limited neutral palette.

Nubby, soft fabrics with deeper pile like velvet, boucle or chenille lend a cozier feel while smooth cottons and linens add a tailored crispness. Different patterns and colors can evoke differing moods as well.

Patterns should vary in scale (size) as well as type. Mix geometrics like plaids, checks, or stripes (stripes are especially friendly and play well with almost all others!) with more organic patterns like floral, paisley, leaf/vine or curvy, and plainer textures such as linens, silks, velvets, tweeds, chenilles, and the current darling: boucle.

Don't forget that carpeting or area rugs and any wallcoverings need to factor into the pattern mix too!

Here is a simple formula for successful pattern mixing:

Pick the Main Pattern First

The easiest method for mixing patterns is to pick a main pattern that contains most of the color story for the space first. This is often the area rug, but could also be a statement wallcovering, or a wonderful fabric.

Pick Supporting Patterns that Echo the Colors

Next choose the supporting elements in different combinations of textures, and in complementary patterns. These should contain some of the same colors as are in the main pattern. These are supporting cast, not the star of the show - while every detail is important, everything should not be an attention grabbing pattern.

Vary the scale of Patterns

You will have the most success if you remember to vary the scale, especially of fabrics that are in the same category - for example a large scale floral with w medium scale vine pattern. Or a small scale diamond or plaid pattern with a larger scale stripe. Using two competing patterns of the same type and scale can create a chaotic and confusing mix unless handled very deftly in application and placement in the room.

By way of illustration, this primary bedroom contains 12 different textiles and 7 different trims! The client wanted an old world European salon atmosphere and so luxurious textures, and traditional profiles were used.

The main patterns the room was built around are the oriental rug and a gorgeous soft watercolor printed linen/silk used for the windows and some of the bedding that perfectly complemented the rug. The supporting cast of fabrics includes solid silks and velvets, tone on tone neutral jacquards, and satin geometrics. Accents are richly textured embroidered and appliqued fabrics. Trims include epaulet bouillon fringe, gimp, cord, brush fringe, tassel fringe, bead fringe, and ribbon loop fringe in both neutrals and shades of coral and green.

A fun detail in this room (that has nothing to do with the topic of pattern mixing!) is this secret closet behind a bookcase. The previous owner used this closet for her ballgowns!

Happy Mixing!