4 Ways to Make a Perfect Statement With Pattern in a Room
Choosing patterns in a room takes finesse, it's not something easily thrown together. Though when compiled correctly, the layers of patterns look effortless in a space.
A person who doesn't have a decorative eye may prefer to stick to solid basics, which can create a classic statement, but ultimately lack personality and depth. By adding patterns and prints in a room, a home seller can guide a buyer's eye throughout the space, allowing the entire property to feel cozier, a bit more authentic and lively.
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One of the easiest ways to begin using patterned elements is to start small, pairing designs with similar colors rather than going for bold, graphic, eye-catching prints that can be a bit overwhelming for some.
Start by choosing patterns that reflect the design style you'd like to have in the room. Remember that the design style should mimic the architectural style of the home so it creates a cohesive feel. Are you looking to create a traditional, contemporary or a more country-inspired room? This answer will help you narrow down your pattern palette.
For example: If you live in a farmhouse and want to capture that feel in the design style, choosing a gingham pattern or fabric with roosters will play up the theme.
Once the design style is decided, determine what color palette would be appropriate. Look to a color palette that invokes the feeling you want to capture. Want a warm and welcoming feel? Choose warmer colors like orange or red. Looking for a relaxed feel? Add cooler colors like blue and green to the mix. Choose one or two main colors, then once you have your main color selection down, add a bit of contrast.
Next, choose one bold print that will be your jumping-off point in the room. Large-scale patterns work well with smaller prints, as long as the color palette on all the prints is similar. The dominant print, however, should be on a main accessory used in the room -- like an accent chair or rug. Then scatter smaller prints throughout other accessories. Here are four ways to use pattern in a room that will enhance a homebuyer's overall experience in the space:
On the floor. Many designers start with a rug when it comes to pulling a room together. Rugs come in varying prints, colors and styles to quickly add pattern without overwhelming a space. Using a big, bold print on the floor is forgiving when furniture breaks up the pattern.
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Thrown about. Not sure how to play up pattern, texture and prints in a room? Then use throw pillows as a budget-friendly way to mix and match prints and colors to introduce larges doses of pattern into a space. Mismatched pillows add detail to a couch or bed to make each piece look more unique.
Hanging around. Show off medium-scale patterns and prints in a window treatment. A bold-colored patterned fabric on a shade or curtain panel can frame an amazing view for homebuyers.
Medium-scale patterns can be difficult to use when there is more than one fabric in the room that's best-suited for a medium-scale pattern. To avoid cluttering the space with contrasting mid-size patterns, focus on texture, rather than a print pattern, on one or the other.
On the bed. Add some personality to the focal point of the bedroom by using printed and patterned bedding. Don't over-coordinate the bedding -- opt for solid sheets and a bed skirt, or use a pattern on those items while keeping the comforter a solid color. If you can't decide what works, start with just the shams and throw pillows in varying patterns.
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Start with a few patterns and then soften the look by using neutral or solid colors on the walls or large pieces of furniture to give the eye a place to rest between patterns. You don't want the room to look to busy with patterns all over the place. Multiple patterns of the same scale often result in clutter, so be sure to mix the three different sizes of scale: small, medium and large. The more variety in your patterns, the more comfortable and welcoming the space will feel.
Tori Toth is a best-selling author, DIY and lifestyle expert, award-winning home stager and lifestyle authority. She can show anybody how to add more value to their home by giving the tools needed to prepare and showcase any home for sale. She works with consumers, real estate agents, or anybody else who wants to make their home look its best quickly and easily. Home staging is a strategic marketing tool for the biggest return on investment of a home, focusing on renovation and creative design. By creating a lifestyle that buyers will find aspirational, Tori Toth will demonstrate methods of rearranging, organizing and in many cases, adding or editing furniture and home décor. The best, clearest, most helpful information of how to stage a home with and be an immediate success can be found in Tori' best-selling book "Feel at Home: Home Staging Secrets for a Quick and Easy Sell."
