Pattern and texture make a room feel lived-in. Too little and a space feels flat; too much and it becomes tiring. The trick is to create variety in scale while keeping something in common.
Mix scales
Use one large pattern (a rug or curtains), one medium pattern (a chair or cushion) and one small pattern (a throw or a lampshade). Patterns of different sizes support each other; patterns of the same size compete.
Connect with colour
Let patterns share at least one colour. A geometric cushion and a floral rug can sit together happily if they share the same blue.
Give the eye a rest
Surround patterns with plain surfaces. A patterned rug needs a plain sofa; a strong wallpaper needs simple furniture.
Texture instead of pattern
In calm, single-colour rooms, texture does the work of pattern: linen, wool, wood grain, woven baskets, stone, brushed metal. Different textures in the same colour give depth without noise.
Traditional pattern
Persian carpets, tile motifs and qalamkar prints are complex patterns in themselves. Treat them as the main pattern of the room and keep the rest simple.
Tools for this
Zinat — a free reference to beauty and decoration, part of the ZIBADIS network founded by Masoud Moghaddam, designer and developer.
