Decorating Guides
Tips for Working With Pattern and Texture
See how colorful designs and interesting surfaces can enliven rooms without overwhelming them
The key to using pattern and texture successfully in a room is getting the right balance. You can add texture with textiles, natural materials and architectural features, and incorporate pattern to define zones and bring a space to life. Here are ways to use them effectively without going overboard.
Expose a brick wall. Consider using the original structure of your home to add pattern by showcasing a wall of exposed brick, stone or plaster. A surface left in its original state adds texture and another dimension to a room.
An entire wall may feel too daunting for some, so you could consider stripping back a chimney surround instead. As a rule, the older your house, the more attractive any raw surfaces will be.
There are a number of benefits to leaving a wall in its natural state: If sealed well, it should be easy to clean, it won’t need touching up with paint, and it will conceal stains well.
An entire wall may feel too daunting for some, so you could consider stripping back a chimney surround instead. As a rule, the older your house, the more attractive any raw surfaces will be.
There are a number of benefits to leaving a wall in its natural state: If sealed well, it should be easy to clean, it won’t need touching up with paint, and it will conceal stains well.
Break up pattern with shelves. Temper bold patterned wallpaper by using it behind open shelving, as these homeowners did. The glimpses of print and color peeking through the books give this space an interesting feel. This print is strong, but the color palette in gray and warm yellow is nicely muted, so it doesn’t fight with the books and shelves.
This is a great idea for an office area, as the graphic print wallpaper livens up the view from the desk.
This is a great idea for an office area, as the graphic print wallpaper livens up the view from the desk.
Mix natural and tactile textures.
The colors in this design are neutral, but the layers of natural texture add a depth and warmth that bring an otherwise flat design to life. The sheepskin, natural-fiber flooring, linen and painted brick wall work really well together to make the room more tactile.
Don’t forget the importance of touch as well as looks in a room. Texture can dampen sound and give the room a cozier feel.
The colors in this design are neutral, but the layers of natural texture add a depth and warmth that bring an otherwise flat design to life. The sheepskin, natural-fiber flooring, linen and painted brick wall work really well together to make the room more tactile.
Don’t forget the importance of touch as well as looks in a room. Texture can dampen sound and give the room a cozier feel.
Go for a statement floor. Adding pattern underfoot directs the eye downward, creating a visual delight in your home. So take the opportunity in your dining or kitchen space to be creative with your flooring.
Consider your color scheme carefully when playing with such a big area of pattern. The pale grays and blues in these tiles work beautifully with the whitewashed, weathered wood in this calming, coastal-style space. You can complete the look by picking out an accent color in your lighting, as shown here, or accessories.
Consider your color scheme carefully when playing with such a big area of pattern. The pale grays and blues in these tiles work beautifully with the whitewashed, weathered wood in this calming, coastal-style space. You can complete the look by picking out an accent color in your lighting, as shown here, or accessories.
Make the most of window treatments. These Roman shades in a bold patterned fabric show how you can make a stunning design feature with just a small amount of material. With curtains, the design would have been lost in the folds, but the flat surface of a Roman shade allows you to appreciate the pattern in its entirety.
Leave the walls plain for a neutral backdrop, and choose a vibrant and symmetrical motif with a large repeat for your shades, treating the pattern much like a piece of artwork on the wall.
How to Choose the Right Window Shades
Leave the walls plain for a neutral backdrop, and choose a vibrant and symmetrical motif with a large repeat for your shades, treating the pattern much like a piece of artwork on the wall.
How to Choose the Right Window Shades
Design a decorative backsplash. Patterned wall tiles may be the first thing people notice when they walk into the kitchen. Tiles not only serve the practical purpose of protecting your walls from sink and stove splashes, but they also can perk up an otherwise neutral design.
Pick a pattern that complements your kitchen, and consider the finish and color of your cabinets and counters. It’s always worth testing out plenty of samples and checking how the color looks in your kitchen at different times of the day. Here, the gray cabinets and blue door make the perfect backdrop for the stunning pink tile.
5 Head-Turning Tile Styles for Backsplashes and More
Pick a pattern that complements your kitchen, and consider the finish and color of your cabinets and counters. It’s always worth testing out plenty of samples and checking how the color looks in your kitchen at different times of the day. Here, the gray cabinets and blue door make the perfect backdrop for the stunning pink tile.
5 Head-Turning Tile Styles for Backsplashes and More
Get creative with wall stickers. Wall decals can brighten up a room and help children express their personality without commitment. They’re affordable and easy to apply — you can choose to decorate all over, create a feature wall or frame a piece of furniture.
This organic scattering of colorful dots above the bed creates a striking focal point and helps define a zone in the room. If you get tired of the look or your child grows out of them, most stickers can easily be removed without marking the walls. Apply heat using a hair dryer to help peel them away.
Find wall decals
This organic scattering of colorful dots above the bed creates a striking focal point and helps define a zone in the room. If you get tired of the look or your child grows out of them, most stickers can easily be removed without marking the walls. Apply heat using a hair dryer to help peel them away.
Find wall decals
Add drama to a plain staircase. The staircase is a great place to add a shot of pattern and texture. A runner won’t cover the full width of your stairs, so you can afford to be bold. The plain wood on both sides acts as a frame and helps contain the pattern so that it doesn’t overwhelm the space.
There’s a stair runner to suit any taste and style. Choose from geometric patterns, simple stripes, Asian influences or bold florals.
Browse hall and stair runners
Tell us: How have you used pattern and texture in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
The Secret Ingredient to Make Any Room Feel More Inviting
How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro
Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project
There’s a stair runner to suit any taste and style. Choose from geometric patterns, simple stripes, Asian influences or bold florals.
Browse hall and stair runners
Tell us: How have you used pattern and texture in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
The Secret Ingredient to Make Any Room Feel More Inviting
How to Mix Patterns Like a Pro
Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project
You can also try mixing colors of the same intensity but in a limited palette. Temper the look with one large area of solid color, be it a plain wall, a sofa or the floor. If you’re going to include a statement wallpaper in your room, use it on just one wall instead of all four.
Still don’t know where to start? Choose one pattern you love and build the look from there. Pick a color from the pattern and then choose a second fabric that highlights that shade.