The Art of Mixing Patterns in Interior Design
Forget lions, tigers, and bears—if I were Dorothy, my yellow brick road chant would be “florals, stripes, and houndstooth, oh my!” Mixing patterns in interior design is everywhere, from Steve Martin’s striped sofa in Only Murders in the Building (I drool over it during every episode) to Sarah Jessica Parker’s fearless fashion moments in And Just Like That.
At Lark Interiors, we’re not just on board with this trend; we’re leading the parade. Seriously, ya’ll. We’re practically lighting candles to the patron saint of pattern mixing herself (Kelly Wearstler, obviously.)
In other words: bring on the pattern mixing!
Over the years, we’ve noticed that not everyone finds blending patterns as second nature as we do. A familiar line we hear from clients is “I would have never thought to put that together, but it totally works!” So don’t worry, design adventurers; we’re here to guide you. Think of us as your Virgil through the world of paisley and animal print.
Here’s Lark Interiors’ step-by-step guide to mastering the art of mixing patterns in interior design.
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design
Understanding the Basics of Pattern Types and Styles
Let’s start with the basics: In interior design, patterns are defined as visual arrangements of shapes, lines, or colors that repeat in a structured or organic way.
Designers tend to group patterns into two categories: Geometric Patterns or Organic Patterns. Understanding the difference between the two categories is key to being able to mix patterns. Here’s a few examples of each category:
Examples of Geometric Patterns:
Stripes:
From classic pinstripes to bold bands, stripes are incredibly versatile and can range fro casual to formal depending on the color, size and level of contrast.
Houndstooth:
Houndstooth is a classic, menswear pattern characterized by its broken check design, where small, pointed shapes—often resembling the jagged edges of a dog’s tooth—repeat in a tight, alternating grid.
Plaid:
Originating from traditional Scottish tartans, plaids come in a unique color combinations and arrangements. From the refined look of windowpane to the casual charm of buffalo check, plaid can shift effortlessly between sophisticated and laid-back styles
Examples of Organic Patterns:
Floral:
Inspired by nature, these patterns range from delicate botanicals to bold tropical prints.
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design Floral
Abstracts:
Loosely structured, these patterns can include anything from free-form shapes to watercolor-inspired textures.
Mixing pattern in interior design abstract
Animal Print
Patterns like leopard spots, zebra stripes, cheetah print are typically arranged in an irregular, organic shape
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design Animal Print
Paisley:
Originating in Persia, paisley is a classic, intricate pattern featuring teardrop-shaped motifs with a curved, swirling end, often filled with smaller decorative elements.
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design Paisley.jpg
Texture: The Non-Pattern Pattern
I know, I know—texture isn’t technically a pattern. But in interior design, it behaves like one and absolutely deserves a spot on this list! Texture is essential for mixing patterns because it adds depth and interest without competing visually.
So, what exactly do we mean by texture?
In design, texture refers to the tactile quality or feel of a surface (or, in this case, fabric.) Think smooth, rough, soft, or woven. It’s not just about how something looks; it’s about how it feels. Textures like chunky knits, velvety upholstery, glossy leathers, or nubby boucles can contribute just as much visual interest to a fabric scheme as a pattern does. In other words, texture is a non-pattern pattern.
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design Texture.jpg
The Golden Rules of Mixing Patterns
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design
Rule #1: Stick to a Cohesive Color Palette
When it comes to mixing patterns, one of the keys to success is sticking to a cohesive color palette. A color palette acts like the glue that pulls all the different elements together, resulting in a space that feels thoughtfully designed rather than thrown together. By limiting colors to a coordinated palette, even contrasting patterns—whether they’re stripes, florals, or geometrics—feel like they belong in the same room.
Does this mean everything has to be different shades of, say, blue? Absolutely not. While that can be a successful approach (see, for example, literally anything designed by the king of blue, Mark Sikes), another option is to select a multi-colored “hero” fabric as your jumping off point. This is any fabric that makes your heart happy and contains multiple colors.
Here’s the hero fabric I started with on the swivel chair when designing the living room above.
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design Hero Fabric.jpg
The blues, browns, golds, and creams in this Studio Four NYC fabric gave me a great jumping off point for my color palette. And if you’re new to pattern mixing, you could stick with just those shades. Voila! Instant color palette. Seeing as I mix patterns professionally, however, I like to to take things a step farther and throw one unexpected color into the mix. Hence the addition of this terra cotta (yes, that’s just a fancy way of saying orange) horse fabric from Holland and Sherry, which I used on both the custom lamp shade and a pillow in the living room above:
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design
Why orange? It goes well with the colors in my hero fabric, but is unexpected and not a go-to color for most people. It added the prefect punch to my palette.
Rule #2: Opposites Attract
Super clear, right? Okay, okay — I’ll explain further. Basically the rest of pattern mixing comes down to balance — mixing small patterns with large patterns, warm colors with cool colors, organic patterns with geometric. In other words, opposites attract. Here’s a few examples.
Mix Small-Scale Patterns with Large-Scale Patterns
When we’re talking about the “scale” of a pattern, we’re referring to how frequently the pattern repeats. The repeat on small-scale patterns is usually 1”-4”. Large-scale pattern repeats can be 12” or more!
To mix patterns in interior design effectively, you want to pair large-scale patterns with smaller scale patterns. We did just that in the example below. The tiger-print fabric on the armchair is large-scale (super large scale, actually), and the mustard-colored paisley on the pillow is small-scale. See what i mean about opposites attract?
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design is all about balance
Mix Geometric Patterns with Organic Patterns
Pop quiz! Let’s see what you remember from our earlier lesson. Can you name some geometric patterns? Did I hear stripes? Ten points to Ravenclaw! Now, how about an example of an organic pattern? Are you shouting “florals” at your screen? Another ten points!
But for those of you who are feeling more Hufflepuff than Ravenclaw today, here’s a quick refresher: geometric patterns are all about clean lines and structure, like plaids and stripes. Organic patterns, on the other hand, are the free spirits of the design world—they’re fluid, unstructured, and a bit rebellious. Think animal prints, hand-marbled fabrics, and botanical motifs.
Here’s where that knowledge becomes important: mixing geometric and organic patterns is key to pattern mixing in interior design. There’s just a sort-of visual magic happens when the two are paired. Geometrics bring a sense of order and symmetry, grounding the design, while organic patterns add movement and softness. The secret sauce is in the contrast.
Now I know you want to look at the framed vintage bathing suits below (who can blame you), but direct your eye for a moment to the pillows on the sofa. Notice the geometric stripe next to the organic botanical? Pattern mixing kismet achieved!
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design Organic and Geometric
Common Mistakes in Mixing Patterns — and How to Avoid Them
Mistake #1: Forgetting to Consider Texture
Well done Padowan! You’ve learned the two golden rules of pattern mixing. With just a little practice, “strong in the force you will be”. (Yes, I am absolutely trying to see how many movie and TV references I can fit into a single blog post. I’m up to five!)
Now that you know the rules, let’s review some common mistakes we see people make when mixing patterns in interior design.
If you are implementing all the above rules and your pattern combos are still falling a little flat, I can almost guarantee you’ve forgotten one critical element: texture.
Remember that texture acts like a pattern in disguise—it adds depth and interest without visually competing with other design elements. So even if you have a great color palette, you’ve mixed organic and geometric prints, and you’ve balanced the scales of your patterns – if all of those elements are the same texture, your pattern mix will fall flat.
Here are a few of our favorite textures to add when mixing patterns in interior design.
Leather
Using leather is one of our go-to ways of introducing texture into our pattern scheme, whether it’s on a throw pillow on armchairs like in the living room below. Opt for a leather coated in beeswax (Moore & Giles makes a great one) for a busy family home. The beeswax helps prevent stains and scratches.
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design Leather Chairs
Velvet
Using velvet is another great way to add texture when mixing patterns in interior design. We find it works especially well if it has a little bit of a sheen to it, like in the navy euro shams below. (The wood grain, brush fringe on the lumbar pillow, and the pic-stitched coverlet are also great examples of adding texture to a pattern scheme.)
Mixing Patterns in Interior Design Velvet
Boucle
I couldn’t figure out how to get the accent on the “e” — so bear with me if you’re feeling pretentious today. (Kidding!) Boucle is having a major trend moment in interior design right now — and for good reason. It is nubby and cozy and a fantastic way to add some texture to a space (especially if your pattern scheme is super neutral). While we’ve avoided going too hard in the boucle department because of it’s trendy status, we definitely love a small pop of it here and there.
Mixing Pattern in Interior Design Boucle
Mistake #2: Sticking to One Style
Combining traditional and modern elements is kind of a whole deal at Lark. By combining different styles, you achieve a look that transcends trends and exudes timeless charm. This applies to mixing prints as well. Traditional prints, like florals or damasks, bring warmth and a sense of history, while modern patterns, such as bold geometrics or abstract designs, add a fresh, contemporary edge. The secret lies in balancing these styles to create harmony; a classic floral pillow paired with a sleek, striped rug or a vintage-inspired paisley next to a minimalist windowpane print.
And there you have it—the essentials of mixing patterns in interior design. With a solid understanding of color palettes, pattern scales, and the balance between geometric and organic designs, you’re ready to create a space that feels cohesive and full of character. Remember, design is as much about experimenting as it is about following guidelines, so trust your instincts and don’t shy away from trying new combinations. At Lark Interiors, we believe your home should be a reflection of your unique style, layered with textures and patterns that tell your story. Now, it’s time to dive in and start creating a space that feels both intentional and inviting. Happy decorating!