How to Mix and Match Patterns

A bold print or pattern can give your room new life, but why stop with just one? Your instinct may be to choose one colorful print and then play it safe with the rest of the space by sticking to neutrals and solids, and there's nothing wrong with that. But you can also opt to mix and match patterns in the same room. Here are some suggestions for how to create a look that's classy and colorful, not chaotic.

Things You'll Need

• Wallpaper
• Fabric
• Paint
• Curtains
• Simple furniture
• Flowers
• Vases
• Frames
• Lamps
• Pillows
• Books
• Art

Instructions

1. Stick to one or two main colors for each room. A good way to make sure your patterns coordinate is to choose a couple of primary colors for the room and select fabrics and wallpaper in those colors.

2. 

   Compare samples. When making paint, fabric and wallpaper choices, bring samples. Just because two colors are called turquoise doesn't mean they're the same, so compare your curtain fabric to your wall paint if you want to make sure they match (or at least coordinate). Your prints don't need to all be in the exact same shade, but they should have the same undertones.

3. Give patterns some space. You don't have to use a print and pattern in every corner of the room. Sometimes it works better to leave some space between the patterns; on a wall covered in a bold wallpaper hang simple white roman shades and put your patterned curtains on another wall, one that's painted white.

4. 

   Vary styles and scale. If you choose four different striped patterns for your room, your room will probably end up feeling very...striped. Instead, mix up the types of patterns. Use a floral, a geometric print and a classic stripe to give your look some variety. You don't have to stick with prints in the same scale either; mix a large floral with a small geometric print and a medium-sized stripe.

5. Keep furniture simple. If the room already has a lot going on in the way of color and pattern, keep furniture simple and clean lined. White always pops against a colorful backdrop, so it's a good way to go in boldly- patterned rooms.

6. Add accent colors through accessories like flowers, vases, frames, lamps, pillows, books and art. You don't want your room to feel as monochrome as the inside of a genie's lamp, so make sure you vary the color palette a bit with some well-placed accessories.