Mixing Prints: The Dos and Don’ts
Who doesn’t love a fun pattern or print? We love working with prints in some of our designs, whether it’s on fabulous wallpaper, throw pillows, drapes, furniture, etc. We always get asked how to mix patterns/prints, so we thought we’d break it down in a simple form with Dos and Don’ts!
Danielle Oakey Pillow Shop
The Dos
01
Start off simple:
Choose a base pattern to build on, like stripes or polka dots (think classic patterns, not busy patterns). *Side note: We recommend this killer trio: A solid, stripes and an additional pattern.
Image: Decor Pad
02
Think about scale
You’ll want to make sure you have a nice balance between small patterns and larger-scale ones, ensuring hierarchy and making your room feel breathable.
Image: McGee and Co.
03
Stick to one colour:
This will make it easier when selecting additional patterns/prints as you can work off the same hue as your base colour.
Image: Sea Tribe Australia
The Don’ts
01
Start off busy:
If you choose a very intricate pattern/print, you may not need to pair it with other ones as the room will become too busy.
02
Go big or go home:
Unfortunately, that saying doesn’t apply when you’re dealing with mixing patterns. If you choose 2-3 different ones within the same scale, the elements will look disjointed, leaving your space feeling unpolished and chaotic.
03
Choose the rainbow:
Selecting complementary colours are ok but do not opt for the whole rainbow as the prints will clash with one another.
For more inspiration, here are a few beautiful examples of spaces that have effortlessly incorporated multiple prints/patterns.
