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Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,787
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

 

Do you mix prints and patterns in your home decorating? 

 

I have rooms where the pillows and rugs are different prints & patterns, but that’s about as far as I go. I use solid color furniture & window treatments with my printed pillows & rugs. 

 

Too many different prints & patterns are distracting to me. My eyes don’t know where to look when there are lots of different prints & patterns in one space. I guess that can make those rooms more interesting, but I prefer a more cohesive coordinated look. 

 

Here are a few photos of rooms I found online that mix prints and patterns. Do you like any of them? 

 

IMO the rug clashes with the red sofa. I’m not really liking  the floral print on the chairs or drapes. 

DE532902-A9D4-4A96-9656-AB218E3C5B73.jpeg

 

This time the red & burnt orange colors seem to clash to me. The light plaid on the chairs seems too white for the rest of the furnishings in the room. 

E0ECEFEC-ED7B-47DB-95B8-FE6A9E4E0E02.jpeg

 

Too many different prints for me. The light neutral sofa helps balance those prints some. 

9FEF407E-660D-4198-B63D-51DA6F305FFE.jpeg

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,349
Registered: ‎05-01-2020

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

I would label all 3 of those sample picts "a mess" and hard on the eyes (prints/patterns, color, style, clutter). Mixing prints/patterns works better as long as the room is all in the same color family (hues, tints, tones OR shades).

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,162
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

I'm good with some mixing of prints & patterns. I like to use obvious differences - like stripes and checks or checks and wildflowers. It says -- uh huh -- I meant to do this. I don't go overboard. Except for a couple of pillows, I only have solids in my open dinining / living room. I need to do something about that. Shake it up a bit. Thanks for the reminder. I may replace solid recliner, which is showing wear, with print chair.   

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Henry David Thoreau
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,460
Registered: ‎05-12-2012

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

does anyone actually live in these rooms?!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,180
Registered: ‎04-10-2012

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

I have used a mixture of prints ( florals and checks in different scales) in my rooms, and I love the look as they are all in the same color family, so I think it is balanced and eye pleasing. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,837
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

I like mixing some patterns and prints.  When I think of that, though, I think of something like this room.  I found these two pictures on Pinterest.

C694764A-603E-403F-ACFC-E53E2D0F6326.jpeg2CC29C18-FFA7-4B76-A04E-D36CC34AD942.jpeg


The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau





Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,448
Registered: ‎03-19-2014

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

My short answer is NO but it depends on the size of the item, size of the print, the particular pattern on the item,  the colors, etc, etc. etc.  

 

Of your three pictures, I don't care for any of them but like some individual elements in each one.  I like the third one the best but I would have to edit some of the decor items.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
- Author Unknown
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,500
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

@wilma  I don't care for the rooms at all, might be the color scheme is whats off to me because I like  @NickNack room very much. I could live with that room but not the first three.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,000
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

The top three rooms actually cause me anxiety, just staring at them.  Then I get to the blue room and I am instantly soothed.  Why waste money on psychiatrists, decorators are much cheaper, especially when you are the decorator..

Honored Contributor
Posts: 44,347
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Mixing Prints & Patterns

These room have the key color in them, but there's just too much pattern, which hurts most people's eyes.

 

I mix patterns all of the time, but, there is a point of excess.