- The Basics of Using Patterns in Home
Decorating
Pattern refers to the way colors
lines and textures are arranged in an object. While the word
pattern generally refers to something which repeats itself, such
as a checkerboard, in decorating terms it can just refer to the
layout of design elements, and can be quite chaotic, such as
in a floral pattern.
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In decorating, patterns can be
used for several purposes.
- You can use it to create a
focal point in a room.
- You can use it to create a
theme throughout a space.
- It can add interest to an otherwise
dull space.
- Or you can use it to reproduce
a particular historical style.
Traditional patterns are generally
taken from historical decorating schemes. Chintz is often associated
with English decorating, while calico patterns have a strong
association with country style. Contemporary patterns are being
designed everyday, but are usually based roughly on traditional
ideas.
Picking Patterns |
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Other people prefer to have a
plan. Maybe you are trying to recreate a traditional look, or
maybe you are trying to achieve a specific ambience. Whatever
your goal, you should remember the following tips when panning
your strategy.
- Small rooms should use smaller
more intricate patterns, which will fill the space with more
interest.
- Large rooms should use grand
patterns, that stretch out throughout the space and keep the
room in proportion.
- Use your patterns to add interest
to places that lack architectural features.
- Make sure your pattern is matched
to the style of the houses architecture. If your home is a grand
old Victorian you don’t want to create a confusing décor
with contemporary silver geometric lines.
You can use some patterns on
everything in a room, the walls, furnishings, floors, and accessories.
However the room will be immersed in the very particular ambiance
created by the pattern, so be careful of overwhelming yourself
with anything you won’t love for a long time.
Traditional pattern decorating
is done with a single pattern, being matched against a solid
background. In this way a boring white room is given vibrant
life by a series of brightly upholstered chairs.
Mixing patterns with different
colors and with other patterns can be a little tricky. You have
to both create harmony between all of the different colors, and
create contrast to give the space interest.
- Mixing patterns is tough! Start
with just one or two, decide how you feel about them together,
and then add more.
- Try to maintain one dominant
pattern, and let the others act as support.
- Use patterns which have a single
consistent color that runs through all of them
When working with patterns, many
people find it useful to use a board, and samples of the various
patterns, to get an idea for how they feel together. You can
use samples of cloth from the store, matched with paint chips,
and magazine clippings. Set several patterns up together, and
then leave them on the board for a couple of days, so you can
see how you really react to them.
The most important thing when
using pattern is to be willing to change your mind. If a pattern
doesn’t feel right, or stops feeling right after a time,
then you have to get rid of it. Patterns can create powerful
feelings in a space, and you have to pay attention and be aware
of those feelings in order to control the ambience of the room.
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