A Guide to Mixing Textures and Patterns

A texture is the actual visual or feel of a surface. Some examples include fur on a rabbit, dimples on a golf ball, and prickles on a cactus. Whether you're looking at an image or touching it in person, you can easily get a sense of roughness, softness, smoothness, etc.

A pattern is a design made by repeating a motif, symbol, or shape. A pattern may create a visual texture. It can be woven, embroidered, or printed onto a fabric.

A print is the application of a pattern or design onto fabric through a process like screen printing or digital printing.

It may come as no surprise to you that our minds respond to certain patterns in similar ways, depending on our culture. In America, we associate certain shapes and symbols with specific concepts. For example, circles represent unity and harmony, while triangles signify power and stability. Exotic floral patterns promote a sense of vibrance, while leaf patterns evoke the calming qualities of nature. Vertical stripes suggest strength, and horizontal lines can mean equality.

Much of our understanding of patterns happens on a subconscious level, but designers and interior decorators study these ideas and know how to use them to create the energetic feel of a room. If you want to make an environment soothing, use symmetrical, dainty florals or leaves in soft colors. To create a stimulating environment, try oversized shapes in bold colors or asymmetrical patterns.

Like patterns, textures can evoke emotional responses. Soft textures, like faux fur and plush fabrics, create a sense of comfort, warmth, and relaxation (dare we say "cozy"?). Rough textures are associated with rustic, earthy, grounded vibes. Smooth, glossy surfaces can make a room feel very modern, while hard, reflective ones can add a sense of structure and formality.

To use texture to influence the mood of a room, use soft fabrics for calming and hard surfaces to energize. Mixing textures in a more balanced way can keep a room from feeling flat. A cozy, plush throw draped over a wood-framed chair adds a hint of comfort to a rustic piece of furniture.

Now that we understand the basics, here are some general guidelines for mixing textures, patterns, and prints. These work well for any room's décor, so you can decide how best to use them to achieve your goal.

• Remember the rule of three. Limit your combination to three elements (texture, color, or patterns). This helps keep the space from overwhelming a person who enters it.
  
  
• Use a common color palette. Stay with the same color combination when combining textures and patterns. For example, a blue and white stripe goes well with a blue and white floral.
  
  
• Use a multi-color pattern to tie together complementary colors. Complementary colors are pairs that look vibrant together. The most common pairs are yellow and purple, blue and orange, and red and green. While they make exciting combinations, the strong contrast can sometimes feel jarring. Using a pattern like plaid or a floral that includes both colors can help create that sense of cohesion you want in your space.
  
  
• Create balance with contrasting patterns. It might seem counterintuitive, but mixing big, bold patterns with smaller, delicate ones can create a sense of harmony. Just remember to keep them in the same color family.
  
  
• Start small. If you're not comfortable with blending blue and orange in big ways, like a glossy wall color and big, plush upholstered furniture, it's okay to start on a more manageable scale. For example, you could choose our navy blue and sky plaid Cortina Throw to drape over the back of a neutral colored sofa and pair it with a peachy-orange boucle throw pillow.
  
  
• Trust your eye and your instinct. In the end, you have to live with your design decisions, so if your gut screams, "don't do it," follow its advice. If you do try a combination that you normally wouldn't, you can live with it for a few weeks to see if it grows on you. If you still don't love it, change it! There's no shame in experimenting and learning from trying something new. In fact, we encourage it!

We hope this guide to textures and patterns inspires you to energize your rooms with fresh combinations. To get started, check out our Home collection and choose the textures that appeal to you, and then build from there.