Tips on Using Patterns in Interior Decorating
Patterns have a very important function to serve in interior design, whether it is for a room in a home or an office building. The scale of patterns you use in decorating can vary in many different ways. You may decide to use large or small patterns, ones that repeat or use tiny miniprints that can only be seen clearly from a distance. Sometimes, it is best to use bold patterns and colors to create a unique effect.
You really do have to plan to use large patterns. Choosing a design that contrasts sharply with the background and then you can use this color scheme to develop the rest of the décor in the room. Form and movement come to life when you use large scale patterns in the décor. However, when they are used in open areas, they look very attractive. Some examples of this design include a patterned rug on the floor or a patterned bedspread. In this way, it is easy to see the full design.
Large scale patterns can be very effective on one wall of a large room. In this case it will become a focal point or even provide a backdrop to bring plain furnishings to life. They also tend to make a small room appear larger, but large patterns are not recommended for use in a room that has a lot of windows or doors. In such places, the openings tend to interrupt the pattern.
Don’t try to use too many large patterns in one room, no matter how large it may be because one will tend to overwhelm the other. If you do intend to use a large pattern in a small room, choose muted colors on a non-contrasting background so that the pattern won’t seem to overpower the room.
Try to avoid using furniture with large patterns if you have it placed in an area where it will not be easily seen. If you want to have a patterned sofa, for example, it is best to choose one that has a small self-pattern so that the cushions can be used in any way and still not cover up any of the pattern.
Small patterns are best for smaller rooms. They work really well in rooms where there are lots of different surface angles, such as in an attic bedroom or study. Miniature designs will create the illusion of the room being larger than it really is. On the other hand, small patterns do not work well in a large room. This is because they will make the room look as if you have decorated in spots.
When you view small patterns on a large scale, you have a totally different effect than if you used one large pattern. It is often hard to see the total picture by viewing a small swatch of fabric or wallpaper. You can take one color from the pattern and use this for your color scheme. A delicate balance of patterns and solids in a room is very pleasing to the eye.
