Power Up Your Prints: How to Add Pattern to Your Home (for all Levels of Pattern Lovers)

Nothing livens up a room quite like a little (or a big) dose of pattern. But adding pattern to an existing space can be a little intimidating. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide, with 12 different spaces featuring pattern in various degrees — from a little bit to a whole whole lot.

Pattern power: Low-level

Above : This living room from Sight Unseen demonstrates an incredibly low-risk way to bring pattern into a space — with a few throw pillows. (The black accents are also a nice touch, and help to give this room a little dimension.)

Another way to bring in pattern without making a big commitment is with art, as seen in this space from Interiormagasinet . (A patterned pillow also makes an appearance.)

In this living room from Sketch 42 , one boldly patterned chair is sufficient to add liveliness to a living room scene.

Pattern power: Just a touch saucy

A patterned sofa may seem like a very bold move, but it’s actually an easy way for decorators who love pattern but are unsure about integrating it to add a pretty big dose of pattern to a room. Just keep the rest of the items in the room simple, as in this living room in the Hamptons beach home of Christiane Lemieux via Kaitlin Madden .

This room from Hus & Hem shows a safe way to tiptoe into the wild land of pattern on pattern, with a patterned pillow in a boldly pattern chair.

You can score big pattern points with a patterned rug, like this one spotted on Design*Sponge , which is a quick way to completely transform a boring room. (The colorful throw adds a punch of pattern, too.)

I love the style of this space from Flodeau — there’s actually quite a few patterns here, all piled on top of each other on the bed and on the couch, but since the other elements in the space are quite simple, the effect is lively but not overwhelming.

If you’re not quite brave enough to pair a boldly patterned sofa with a boldly patterned rug, try starting with an ottoman, as in this space from Pelle Lundquist .

Pattern power: Getting braver

To take things to the next level, pair a patterned rug with with patterned curtains, as seen on Domino . (The subtly patterned pillows and chairs are also a nice touch.)

Pattern power: High alert!

In this little sunroom spotted on Lonny , lots and lots of patterns come together to create a lively, engaging space. The similarly themed and scaled prints keep things from feeling too chaotic.

If you want to really go for broke, try a boldly patterned rug on top of another boldly patterned rug, as in this space from Baba Souk .

If none of the pictures above were quite enough for you, then you are a true maximalist. Let this photo from Susanna Salk’s book Decorate Fearlessly , via Lonny , inspire you to live your best life, because there’s always room for another pattern.