How to Mix Patterns: 4 Things Interior Designers Want You to Know

If you want to design an interesting, layered space, mixing patterns is the way to go. Gone are the days of matching drapes, wallpaper, lamp shades, and upholstery. Now, it's all about contrasting patterns paired together in thoughtful ways. The challenge is doing so without going overboard to avoid a visually cluttered space. To help you achieve the perfect balance, interior designer Ingrid Weir shares her best advice on mixing patterns effectively. "Mixing patterns can give a space a wonderful carefree look and 2024 is about having more of a sense of fun in interiors," Weir says.

Patterns range from florals to animal prints, and can be incorporated through room features such as bedding, area rugs, window treatments, and wall coverings. They're an excellent vehicle for carrying color and a particular design style, as well as balancing out large surfaces of solid color.

To help you incorporate pattern into your next home refresh, Weir shares her best tricks for using multiple patterns while maintaining a cohesive look, the role that color plays in pattern combinations, and her rule of thumb for layering contrasting patterns to achieve a visually pleasing aesthetic.

1. Establish a Common Theme

There are several visual factors to consider when putting together pattern combinations: Scale, color, style, and material. The goal is to create depth and contrast in a visually balanced way, so having one common thread that runs through a collection of different patterns is key.

When it comes to her rule of thumb for mixing patterns, Weir suggests establishing a general theme before starting. "The best approach is to be playful and experimental but proceed with some invisible guardrails in place," she says. These guardrails limit your options and narrow down pattern combinations, because too many patterns thrown together can simply end up looking hectic. "For example, you could limit all the prints to one designer as they often have a through line," Weir says. "Like flowers that are grown in the same garden, a variety of fabrics from the same designer often go together."

2. Use a Hero Pattern to Create a Cohesive Look

"A good approach is to have a hero pattern, usually the most eye catching one," Weir says. She describes a hero pattern as the one you are most drawn to and that evokes a personal response. "Then, look for patterns that are the support cast" and are similar in feel but a bit quieter", Weir adds.

When it comes to specific patterns that pair well together, she suggests florals and stripes. "If you have never tried mixing patterns before, a good starting point is to do florals with stripes, as it's a combination that can give a real charm to a room—luscious organic blooms offset by the energy and clarity of the stripes," she says. To make sure the two don't compete or clash, Weir stresses the importance of slight contrast in scale and intensity of the patterns. "I would choose a large floral print as the hero and then compliment it with softer stripes," she says.

3. Limit the Color Scheme

Color plays a crucial role in a successful mix of patterns and can be the common thread that allows for two highly contrasting patterns to pair well together. Weir calls color the key factor in mixing patterns, and shares her foolproof formula for making multiple patterns work together. "The trick is to limit the colors: Three is a good number because it brings in a harmony," she says.

If you've used multiple patterns in a room and feel like the space is looking a little busy, bring in some solid colored items to give the eye a place to rest. For example, balance out heavily patterned throw pillows on a bed with a softer pattern on the sheets and a solid colored comforter. Pull one of the pattern colors to use as a solid in the space to ensure visual continuity and a consistent intentionality.

4. Look for Fresh Inspiration

You can find inspiration for how to use color and mix patterns in many different places, whether it's nature, fashion, or artwork. "For fresh and modern color combinations I often look to fashion, especially the runway shows," Weir says. Fashion trends often translate well into interiors, and patterns are no exception. "You see new things that shouldn't work but do," she says.

"Currently there are some unexpected and unusual pops of color with neutrals, like murky forest floor greens with chartreuse and lots of tonal looks," Weir says.