Decorating Guides
15 Rooms Bursting With Bravely Layered Patterns
With patterns mixed to bold effect, these rooms show that to the fearless sometimes go the style spoils
There are actually very few rules about what goes together and what doesn't when it comes to patterns (although Brian Patrick Flynn does a bang-up job of explaining pattern layering here). You can follow the color wheel or chuck it. You can stay geometric or decide that florals and plaid look divine together.
But throwing things together rarely works out. As with anything in good design, patterns should be combined with intention. And even though the rules are flexible, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to layering patterns.
These 15 rooms — from opulent traditional to Topanga Canyon boho — all get pattern layering right.
But throwing things together rarely works out. As with anything in good design, patterns should be combined with intention. And even though the rules are flexible, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to layering patterns.
- It's good to have a unifying element. Sometimes it's color, sometimes it's color value (the lightness or darkness of a shade), and sometimes it's something harder to define. I like to call it a vibe, but "theme" probably works too.
- Pay attention to the scale of a pattern. You generally don't want a bunch of large-scale patterns competing. Pick one large-scale pattern and let it be your anchor.
- Clutter is a patterned room's worst enemy. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking, pattern works well when it is not competing with a lot of knickknacks or a big mess.
These 15 rooms — from opulent traditional to Topanga Canyon boho — all get pattern layering right.
A Persian rug is a patterned masterpiece — rich, colorful and classic. It's tempting to let it be the focal point of an otherwise neutral room. But these rugs go so well with so much, there is no need to limit yourself. This eclectic room incorporates classic stripes, a modern abstract painting and a variety of patterned pillows. Together the look is a warm meeting of old and new, traditional and bold.
Here's another example of a Persian rug getting along swimmingly with multiple patterns and textures. In this room it's not just the fabrics but also the materials — stone and wood — that contribute to the overall effect. The room works because there is a yellow-beige undertone throughout, lots of black and white in different scales, and very little clutter.
I'm not exactly sure how this room does it, but it works. I think it's the pop art feeling of the graffiti wall and striped dresser against the very traditional layout and style in the rest of the room. The dresser is like a piece of art here — not afraid to be noticed.
Look at this traditional, subdued and elegant room just chockablock with pattern. It's on the rug, the ceiling, the screen and the pillows. It remains subtle because the colors are soft or neutral and everything about the room is utterly symmetrical.
Using wallpaper is going to add a lot of pattern to a room. But that does not at all mean it has to be the only pattern. This bold mod flower design is in contrast to and complemented by the bold geometric rug. The greens throughout — in the painting, the wallpaper and small touches — bring the look together, and the pops of magenta add needed brightness.
Many traditional ethnic patterns are just made for combining. Embroidery of all colors and styles can work in a controlled jumble. Of course, it helps to have a low-key, neutral background like this roof deck does. It allows all those patterns to pop.
Here's another example of how many traditional and ethnic patterns can mix well. There are Tibetan prayer flags, a Persian rug and all manner of other patterns and colors. They share a deep color scheme — lots of burgundies, browns and indigos — and a geometric symmetry. But mostly they share an exotic, earthy feeling.
See more of this cabin of curiosities in Los Angeles
See more of this cabin of curiosities in Los Angeles
Here's another pattern-filled room that's brought together by the deep, rich hues. That zebra print against a Persian rug shouldn't work, but the entire room mellows it out with the earthy browns, mossy greens and dark reds.
The mod-house version of layering pattern. I love the way the various patterns, colors and textures help divide the different spaces in this long, open hallway and draw the eye forward. Why do the patterns work? Because the rest of the space is so clean, uncluttered and neutral, and because the scale and shape of the pattern are varied.
See more of this gloriously untamed Manhattan home
See more of this gloriously untamed Manhattan home
Nothing about this room can be described as clean, uncluttered and neutral, and yet the crazy mix of patterns and colors works too. Why? Partly because the designer was completely fearless, and partly because geometric lines and bright colors are repeated. See that floral design on the pastel pink pillow? It echoes the bright starburst in the wallpaper. The wooden chair matches the orangey red in the wallpaper, and the pictures themselves are part of the grid pattern. But then everything is loose enough not to look too styled. Confusing, huh?
The wallpaper and chair fabrics in this sleek, modern dining room are all in the same geometric family in complementary colors with similar values.
This traditional living room has lots of pattern, but the patterns are all repeated — three floral blinds, two plaid stools — and brought together by the same denim blue and yellow-beige. You can also pick out the small-, medium- and large-scale patterns pretty easily.
Another pattern-crazy traditional living room. Here the uniting force is golden yellow and a tactile lavishness. Everything in this room looks worthy of touching.
The patterns here are so soft and subtle, they almost register as solids. But don't be fooled; stripes, florals and abstracts are doing hard work transforming what could have been a boring room into a stunning beauty loaded with texture.
Another soft, calming room awash in pattern. The black and white floral wallpaper has the grounding effect of a solid-color wall, but it's much more interesting. The light yellows and greens soften it, and the utter absence of distracting clutter makes it work.
More: A decorator's formula for layering patterns right
More: A decorator's formula for layering patterns right