How to mix patterns and colors in home decor
Use the color wheel in order to figure out what colors "match."
Purple derives from reds and blues.
Green comes from yellows and blues.
Colors that are opposite on the wheel are complimentary and when put together are more vivid. An example of this would be green and red.
Colors that are next to each other go together because they are analagous (they share a common hue). An example of analagous colors might be mustard and yellow-green.
Three equally spaced colors on the wheel are triads and these look good together- a traditional use of triads might be that one color is used a little less than the other two.
Stick to this rule for scale: one small scale pattern, one medium scale pattern and one large scale pattern.
There are exceptions to this when it comes to the direction and texture of the pattern.
If you are new to decorating and do not know how to mix patterns, you do not want to spend a lot of money, I would start with pillows. Pillows are less expensive and they can be easily replaced. Go for a stripe, a solid, a small print, a large print and a floral pattern.
Your local fabric store will usually give you swatches to keep or take home to try them out. Try searching on line for your color scheme and collect ideas.
These first image is of my living room. I have a base color- metallic and a pop of yellow.
I have used a medium scale pattern on the pillows with a large scale pattern on other pillows.
The zebra print is sort of striped and is a different texture because the pillow is woven.
I will keep the metallics as the base and change out the pillows if I want a new look.
The orange colored wall paper (above) sets the background and is not too busy. The addition of patterned pillows adds interest. Notice, there is a floral pattern pillow, a small graphic print and then a large graphic print. Some of the pillows have the orange color that is found in the wallpaper and then there is a blue pillow for a pop of color. The floral pillow ties together the blue and orange. The sofa is a neutral. This is a good idea so that redecorating the room does not require purchasing new furniture. The pillows can be replaced and it would give the room an entirely brand new and different look!
This bedroom (above) has a color palette of orange, grey and blue. Solid orange, a stripe, a graphic print and a floral pattern and solid whites.
Thomas Paul for Duralee - Decorators Best. The yellow, blue and green are super bold. This is a commitment! Bright and happy. Notice all colors are on the color wheel next to each other.
These colors from Calico Corners are also on the color wheel next to each other (greens, blues and yellows). They are more subtle because they are muted shades. Notice the neutral sofa again. Stripes on the curtains, a paisley type pattern on the ottoman, checkers and small graphic print pillows and the large graphic print for the wallpaper.
Shades of gray are known to be neutrals because they go with everything. The values of light gray are balances with darker hues of black. This look combines traditional with the area rug and chandelier and photos. A touch of contemporary with the metallic urns and pillows balances out the look.
Purple in this room (above) from Country Living is considered the "neutral." Somehow this works. The reds are warm colors on the color wheel so a blue shade mixed in provides a cool accent and gives the room more depth. The touches of green in the flowers and the art work also add to the cool accent since too much red can be overwhelming.
The bedroom (above) from Better Homes and Gardens takes on opposites on the color wheel using blues and oranges. This works because there are combinations of shades and patterns. None of the patterns compete because the scales are different and the direction of the patterns are different.
Love this look (above) from Elle Decor. It looks collected over time from travels and the eclectic look doesn't look forced. Even though the walls have a pattern, the scale is small and the color is neutral. Shades of blues and reds are repeated throughout the space. The rug is a large scale print. This works with the curtains, which is also a large scale print because the pattern on the rug runs sort of vertically toward the wall and the curtain print is ethnic/global and runs vertically. Directionally, they do not compete. Note, the furniture is neutral and solid in color.
Other colors and patterns in tangerine I love from HGTV:
Good luck with your color and patterns!
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