How to bring personality into your home with fabrics and soft furnishings
How to Mix and Layer Patterns in Interior Design Like a Pro
Pattern layering is one of the trickiest parts of interior decorating, but mastering it takes your design to the next level. It adds depth, interest, and personality to a space without tipping into chaos. So how do designers make it look so effortless?
The answer lies in the scale, proportion, and cohesion of your chosen patterns. When these elements are in harmony, even the boldest patterns can come together seamlessly.
Whether you're styling a living room or bedroom, here’s how to layer patterns like a pro.
Step-by-Step: How to Layer Patterns Like a Designer
1. Look for inspiration
Boutique hotels or culturally rich interiors are a great source of inspiration. Places like these often use patterns to tell a story by drawing from heritage, craft, or local identity, not just what’s trendy. The result feels curated, layered, and intentional.
Take the rooftop restaurant at El Fenn Hotel in Marrakech, for example. The design is a feast for your eyes with a combination of colour, texture and pattern. Even though there are multiple patterns at play, a cohesive palette ties them all together. That’s the power of thoughtful pattern layering, especially when rooted in cultural context.
By exploring designs like these, you can discover patterns you love and see how different patterns and colours work together.
2. Pick Your Main Pattern
Start with one bold pattern you love. Whether it’s a floral cushion, a geometric rug, or a colourful wallpaper, you’ll want to start with your most eye-catching piece. This will help guide your colour scheme and additional patterns.
We have chosen the Dazzle Fabric by Sanderson in the colour Conch/Madder as our “Hero” pattern. Let’s say we are designing a bedroom, we might decide to use this geometric fabric for curtains.
3. Build a Cohesive Colour Scheme
There are thousands of patterns out there, so deciding your colour scheme first helps narrow down your options. Pull colours from your hero pattern and build a palette of 5-6 colours. This is easier when you have a multi-coloured pattern to pull a variety of shades from. Try to include 1–2 neutrals to balance your palette.
As our chosen fabric featured various terracotta shades, we decided to break it up in our palette with the addition of olive green and stone blue.
4. Choose Your Supporting Patterns
Now add 1–2 more patterns in different scales and styles.
Pairing a large, medium, and small scale pattern keeps the eye moving without overwhelming it. For the best contrast, you can try combining patterns from different “families.” These families include:
Organic patterns: florals, ikats, paisleys
Geometric patterns: stripes, plaids, hexagons
Abstract/Novelty patterns: animal prints, brush strokes, conversational prints
Since our “hero” pattern is a large-scale geometric, we’ll now select a medium-scale pattern, such as another geometric or a stripe, and a small-scale pattern, like a dot, herringbone, mini motif, or fine weave, to add detail.
5. Don’t Forget Your Design Styles
It’s important to keep your interior design style in mind when mixing patterns. This helps ensure everything feels intentional rather than chaotic. For example, a traditional pattern like a damask or toile might clash with a mid-century modern pattern like a bold atomic print or retro geometric.
Want a better understanding of the different styles and how to mix them? Check out our course “A Masterclass in How to Mix Interior Design Styles” for a deep dive into patterns for different styles, what works within these styles and why.
6. Experiment And Take Your Time
Don’t rush the process. Sometimes the best combinations aren’t obvious at first glance. Start by ordering fabric or wallpaper samples and laying them out in the actual space. See how they look in natural light, how they feel next to each other, and how they interact with the textures and colours already in the room. Move them around, pair different options, and sit with them for a few days.
Pro Tips for Nailing the Look
Use odd numbers: 3 or 5 patterns usually feel more balanced than 2 or 4.
Layer across surfaces: Mix patterns on different elements like pillows, rugs, wallpaper, upholstery, artwork.
Let solids breathe: Use solid colours or textured neutrals (linen, leather, rattan) to give the eye a place to rest.
Don’t forget texture: Exposed brick, wood grain, and woven fabrics all act like subtle patterns.
Scale to the room: Large-scale prints work best in larger rooms or big surfaces (like wallpaper or curtains). Save the tiny patterns for accents like cushions or lampshades.
Start with fabric, not paint: Choose your patterned textiles first, then match your paint colour. It’s easier that way.
What If I Still Don’t Know Where to Start?
Here’s a cheat code: use patterns from the same collection.
Most fabric and wallpaper brands design their collections to be mix-and-match friendly. They’ll include a blend of scales (like one bold hero print and a few smaller supporting ones), plus a cohesive colour palette that ties everything together. Think of it as a “starter kit” for pattern layering with less guesswork and more confidence. Once you see how these patterns play together, you can start branching out with your own combos.
What Patterns (and Fabrics) Work Best Where?
Layering patterns isn’t just about how they look, it’s also about where they’re placed.
Curtains
Choose large-scale prints on flowy fabrics like linen or cotton. Bold florals, stripes, or tone-on-tone geometrics make great statements.
Cushions
Your pattern playground! Mix small-scale prints, velvets, or novelty designs. Florals, stripes, and a fun wild card work well together.
Headboards & Upholstery
Use medium-weight, durable fabrics like cotton blends or velvet. Stick to classic patterns like geometrics, herringbones, or refined florals.
Rugs
Ground the space with a pattern that unites your palette. Think abstract, Persian-inspired, or large geometrics. Mind the scale and keep in mind that a simpler rug may be the best option if you have lots of other patterns already!
Wallpaper
Go bold here with large patterns like botanicals, murals, or graphic prints. Whether it’s an accent wall or full room, a good wallpaper can transform a space and complement other textiles in the design.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating patterns into your space is all about balance, experimentation, and finding what resonates with you. By starting with a hero pattern, building a cohesive colour scheme, and mixing in complementary patterns, you can create a room that feels both intentional and dynamic. Don’t be afraid to take your time, whether you're drawing inspiration from beautifully layered hotel interiors or playing with fabric samples in your own home, the key is to enjoy the process and trust your instincts. With a little trial and error, you'll soon be layering patterns like a pro!
