How To Use Patterns In Home Decor

If you love to use patterns in your home decor, today’s post is for you.

patterned fabric on window valancemore info on my home office

How to Use Pattern in Home Decor

Today I’m excited to talk about using different patterns in home decor!

For a lot of people, the idea of using bold patterns in their home overwhelms them.

I get it, since it can be a risky choice.

Patterns make a very clear statement and if not done right, they can overwhelm a space.

But, when you’re trying to turn your home or apartment into a space that reflects your personal style, patterns can give you a ton of additional options!

We’re going to dive into several easy ways to use beautiful patterns in your home.

powder bath using wallpaper pattern

wallpaper  //  mirror  //  towels  //  hand soap

Start with the Basics

As any professional interior designer will tell you, it’s important to take a moment to think about the space.

If you’re working in a small room without a lot of natural light, you’ll want to think about what effect a dark pattern versus a light pattern will have.

There are a few things to keep in mind as you choose a patterned wallpaper:

The pattern scale matters.

Different sizes and different scales all need to be considered.

Large-scale print designs tend to make rooms feel smaller or more intimate, while smaller-scale patterns make the room feel larger.

While smaller-scale patterns can make the room feel larger.

If you have a large room that doesn’t have a lot of furniture in it, a large scale pattern can pack a punch with a lot of visual interest.

Meanwhile, if you have a small room that feels a little cramped, small scale patterns create the illusion of more space.

palm pattern on wallpaper in bathroomwallpaper  //  mirror  //  faucet  //  tray  // guest towels

more info on this bathroom renovation can be found here

Think about color.

Different colors can create a very different mood.

Cool color backgrounds will make a space feel more relaxed and tranquil.

Warmer colors are more intense and add a more dramatic look to the room.

Your choice depends on the kind of vibe your going for in the space.

Think about the size of the room. Patterns that emphasize height, such as stripes, are great to emphasize high ceilings. Horizontal patterns help make rooms appear wider.

As much as you might love a pattern, it may not work for the room you’re planning to use it in. You want to make sure the room and the pattern compliment each other.

Trying out various samples in the designated space is always recommended.

Create a Statement Wall

The Power Of Patterns on a small statement wallmore info on our old home here

There are so many different ways to incorporate patterns into your home.

You can always start small.

Statement walls are a great way to use various patterns in your home without committing to a dramatic change.

You can see the effect of a pattern and get an idea of how the wallpaper will look in the space.

Think About Your Personal Style

blue and white patterns in home decor on a wallpapered alcoveMore info about the whimsical polka dots of this wallpaper can be found here.

The whole point of decorating with patterns is to give your personal style an extra punch!

There are tons of different types of wallpaper you could go with depending on what type of style you might have.

It all depends on which type strikes your fancy.

It’s a good idea to go with a pattern that speaks to your own personal style and interior scheme, rather than anything trendy.

Wallpaper tends to be a bold statement, so you’ll want to make sure you love it because you love the pattern, not because it’s a trend.

If you’re wondering which style you want to go with, these are a few common wallpaper types to keep in mind.

Go Floral

vanity dressing area with blue and white wallpapermore info about this wallpaper can be found here

Consider botanical prints…

While floral wallpaper typically tends to be whimsical, flirty, and feminine, it doesn’t always have to be overly ladylike.

There are plenty of options that will cater to different personal interior design styles.

Look for neutral color palettes and modern shapes to diffuse an overly feminine theme.

Floral motifs can be vintage, modern, realistic, abstract or artistic.

It all depends on which option you pick!

Go Bold

front foyer entry with stripe wallpapermore info about our foyer can be found here

Stripes and geometric patterns can work for a more modern look and cater to a ton of different interior design styles.

Vertical stripes tend to enhance spaces with high ceilings and natural light.

blue and white pattern wallpaper close upmore info plus before and after photos of this bathroom renovation here

Geometric shapes and abstract patterns in home decor can incorporate more colors and create a modern look.

The bold pattern in our blue and white bathroom (above) is such a fun illustration of this.

I also love the way this large pattern gives a classic color palette like blue and white a fun, new twist.

Go With Vintage Patterns in Your Home Decor

antelope carpet stair runner pattern in home decor similar carpet  //  actual animal print carpet details can be found here // Cumulus Cloud Wall Paint Color

Up until now we’ve only discussed wallpaper prints.

Wallpaper is such an easy way to bring a lot of pattern into your home.

Wallpaper is having a major resurgence and there are hundreds of ways you can use it to incorporate a pattern into your home.

However, carpets, area rugs and window treatments can also enhance a space with interesting color and pattern.

If you tend to go for a vintage look, there are plenty of rugs, fabrics and of course wallpapers to choose from.

Whether you want a pattern that looks like it could have existed in Versailles during the French Revolution or you’re more into the kitschy geometric styles of the ’50s, there are plenty of ways to use those patterns in your home.

Personally, I love to use animal prints, especially on carpets and soft furnishings.

You’ll just want to keep in mind what kind of style you want the room to have as you’re selecting a pattern.

bathroom sink and mirrorMore info on our primary bathroom renovation with before and after photos.

Using Different Types Patterns in Home Decor –  Conclusion

Patterns are a really great way to inject some major personality into your living space.

As you can see, patterns can work in any room in your house.

We didn’t even get into the most obvious way to incorporate pattern into your home, which is of course with patterned accent pillows!

I’ve written a whole post on how to mix patterns with throw pillows.

Whether you’re looking to give your kitchen or living room an upgrade or breathe new life into your laundry room, a pattern can elevate any space.

It gives it a clear design intention and a distinct style to your interiors.

So if you’re looking for a way to give a bold voice to your home’s interior design and color scheme, look no further than adding pattern to your home.

I hope you found this helpful.

Let me know if you have any questions about patterns or sources in the comments!

A few more things…

Design lovers! Have you joined our fun and VERY helpful design Facebook group?

In this group – members share photos with their design questions and dilemmas from their own home. We all chime in with our best advice!

And finally,

Why not take your home’s interior design style to the next level…

SIGN UP FOR MY  EMAILS  AND RECEIVE MY FREE, SUPER HELPFUL DESIGN CHEAT SHEET and even more great tips and inspiration in your inbox! Thanks!

design cheat sheet close up

Additional Inspiration

Finally, for even more great home decor ideas and simple tips, be sure to check out these posts by clicking each title below:

How to make a room feel cozy.

The best wall paint colors for your living room.

How to Organize Your Entire Home.

How to select the right paint finish for each room.

10 reasons to paint your walls and trim the same color.

Benjamin Moore White Dove paint review.

55 Fun and Interesting Things To Do If You’re Bored At Home.

*This post contains affiliate links as part of an affiliate marketing program. This means if you click a link and purchased through our links, I may get a small commission from it at no cost to you. For more info, please read my disclaimer. I only refer things that I truly love and hope you will too!

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