How to Mix Patterns & Textures for Cozy Home Vibes

Your home is your sanctuary from the outside world, and seldom is it more so than during the chilly months of a long New England winter. When hunkered down for extended stretches of home time, a yearning may arise to remodel a rundown room or crank up the coziness factor of our intimate spaces. While interior decorating styles and trends can ebb and flow (and may not be entirely accessible or even attractive to many people) there are simple strategies for creating the designs of your dreams on a modest budget. Although the minimalist or monochromatic look is appealing to some homeowners, others lean more toward a desire to add visual interest to a room and that goal can be easily accomplished using basic home design elements like patterns and texture. While texture refers to the surface quality of a material (smooth, bumpy, ridged), pattern relates to the visual appearance and a repetition of a graphic element (florals, stripes, geometrics). Mixing and matching patterns in the home may have once been as taboo as wearing a plaid shirt with a polka-dot skirt, but those rules have long been thrown out the well-appointed window. Here are a few tips for utilizing patterns and textures in a space without overwhelming the eye or your bank account: Base Basics Experts recommend starting with a neutral base for either the color of walls, flooring or large furniture pieces. A dark wood floor may call for light-colored walls or vice versa. While not all three of these features need to be neutral, if all three are patterned it will be too competitive for the eye. Adding Layers Choose a color scheme for the room that incorporates pops of two or three colors that you love together and start to layer by using smaller furniture pieces and drapery or window coverings. If needed, refer to a color wheel for complementary hues. Add design elements that pick up the colors and tones of the floor or furniture. Balance & Scale When mixing patterns, size most definitely is an important consideration. If using a large floral element, such as floor-to-ceiling drapes, then the scale of any striped pattern should be kept small. Balance is key to avoid competing patterns. Interrupting Solids Incorporating solids into the design allows the eye to rest. For example, on a geometric-wallpaper accent wall, use a solid-color drape. Add a solid accent pillow to a floral-patterned upholstered chair. Depth Perception Adding textured elements will create the illusion of depth in a space. Fun and functional textures can include woven, chunky fabrics for throws or accent pillows, as well as leather or wooden furniture pieces, a fluffy accent rug or large weaved baskets for storing blankets. In addition to creating depth, these textures can also add visual interest and pattern. For smaller design items, like picture frames or collectibles, textures like shiny metal, colored glass or rustic pottery will help to amp up the layered look of a room. Nature Lover Flowering plants and greenery can add a natural element to a room that uses both texture and pattern elements. Choose plants that will survive and thrive in your room's climate and complement the decor. The scale of plants can also impact visual appeal, such as adding a large Boston fern to the top of a wooden hutch or a small succulent garden on a metal side table. Eye of the Beholder Only utilize bold patterns in areas where you wish to draw the eye. Be strategic in the room's layout and de-emphasize any unappealing areas of the room with items of low visual interest. If starting to mix patterns and textures in a living space feels uncomfortable, the pros recommend starting small at first and say that it's all about trying to experiment. Be creative and have fun. You may need to attempt several different combinations before you find what works for your taste. Peruse online resources for examples of this style of decorating and pick out photos that speak to your aesthetic to inspire your design. Start with combining small swatches of fabric, wallpaper or paint samples before making large purchases to check that they complement each other. Above all else, don't let a fear of design or making mistakes hold you back. Home decorating is a lot like life: The best way to grow is to take that first step toward a beautiful change.