Variety and contrast can really help to bring a room to come to life. That means employing different colors and layouts – but it might also mean getting deeper with the help of the right textures and patterns. It’s here that professional designers are able to mix things up to marvelous effect, as for most of us it’s quite difficult to strike the right balance between variety and messiness.
Here, we’ll look at some of the best tips for employing texture and patterns in your interior designs.
Keep things consistent
However wild you go with your matches, you want a consistent theme running through the entire room. This might be a selection of bold colors, shapes of a similar sort, or textures, like fur. If you’ve laid out a rug covered with interlocking triangles, then look for some throw-cushions which employ a similar arrangement.
Build around a single feature
Since you’re going to be arranging the room in this way, it’s always sensible to start with the most eye-catching piece of decoration or furniture. In many cases, this is a rug or a sofa. Once you’ve got it in place, you’ll find that your other decisions tend to become easier.
Use the right window treatments
Your windows play an essential role in the décor of your room. They’re a visual centerpiece in their own right, and they’ll let natural light in. To get the best from your windows, you’ll need to ensure that they’re dressed in the right way. Here’s another opportunity to experiment with texture: solid wooden blinds are a great way to simplify things, while long curtains with expansive patterns are a fantastic means of bringing some interest into the room.
Consider the purpose of the room
If you’re making a space for relaxation and quiet, then going for fewer clashing patterns and textures might be worthwhile. In a bedroom, simplicity is usually a virtue. In a communal area like a dining room or kitchen, you might be able to get away with a little more.
Keep black-and-white designs sharp
If you have lots of color in your room, then you might get away with a little bit of softness around the edges. But when you’re dealing in monochrome, sharp angles and bold contrasts are among the best ways to add interest.
Think about cleaning
The more stuff you have packed into a small space, the more difficult that space will be to clean. Layering carpets and rugs, and packing sofas with seven or more throw-cushions, makes vacuuming a great deal more time-consuming. The same applies to exposed walls, or those with lots of intricate tiling: you’ll need to seal well if you want to make it easy to wipe down.