Pattern is the repeating of line, form and color and the proper use of pattern can really make a room pop. An improper use of pattern can be confusing, distracting and can make your guests uncomfortable. Selecting the right patterns for your home takes a little practice and a good eye.
Before jumping into wallpaper books or racks of fabrics, take a look around you wherever you go and make note of the patterns you see and how they make you feel. How do the symmetrical vertical lines created by tree trunks in your local park make you feel? What about a basket weave brick patio? What feelings does a child’s spatter painting evoke? Notice that patterns are everywhere, whether planned or not.
Contemporary patterns are becoming more popular, especially in fabrics. In the past sofas and large furniture pieces were solid or stripped but now they’re taking on all sorts of geometrical shapes and virtually exploding with pattern. These pieces are very attractive when paired with solids or smaller prints so they have room to breath.
Another contemporary trend is animal prints. Sure the leopard print has been around for a while and zebra prints wax and wane as well but now entire animals are making their way into our homes. As country and country cottage styles lost their appeal certain aspects of this homey decorating style remained, bring in the rooster. The rooster has a longevity that’s a little bit hard to explain, but it’s not uncommon to see a couple of them in a home or a wallpaper and curtain boldly sporting this proud critter. They eased the way away from the country blue and pink of the 80’s and helped keep the country feel while homeowners dove into color trends that more accurately reflected the bold, rich colors of the rooster. So, even an animal can create a pattern if it’s repeated in color and form.
Patterns all have their origin in some country and have found favor in different time periods but studying the intricacies of pattern really isn’t important for most homes. If you happen to be restoring a historical building you’ll need to spend some time studying the weave of your fabrics and the prints used in the wallpapers, but the average home won’t need this level of research. Instead you should consider what effect you want your pattern to help you achieve. Low ceilings can appear higher with a vertical stripe pattern. Large rooms can feel cozier if you emphasize the dominant color in your pattern. A large floral wallpaper with deep rose flowers would look great with a deep rose sofa acting as the room’s anchor. Imperfect walls can be hidden by busy prints, but be careful as ginghams and plaids can actually emphasize walls that don’t have perfectly straight lines.
Once you’ve decided what you want to accomplish in your room, take a look around the entire house to see how your pattern will relate to the other rooms. Use your pattern selections to unify the entire home and create a comfortable flow the moves people from room to room.
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