9 Clashing Colours and Patterns That Just Work
Skilfully mismatched colours and patterns can create a wonderful, dynamic contrast, so check out these expert tips and start mixing it up
Fashion designers are masters of the clash, pairing seemingly incongruous patterns, prints and colours to fabulous effect. Now interior designers are following their lead, breaking the rules about what goes with what around the home. Tricks to help you make this work at home include ensuring two very different patterns share at least one colour, and balancing the scale or varying the intensity of pattern to let the clash breathe.
So experiment with accessories at first, such as cushions and artwork, and then move onto more ambitious contrasts of wallpaper and upholstery. Be brave and take inspiration from these fabulous room schemes that get it just right.
So experiment with accessories at first, such as cushions and artwork, and then move onto more ambitious contrasts of wallpaper and upholstery. Be brave and take inspiration from these fabulous room schemes that get it just right.
2. Fashion-inspired decor
In this guest bedroom, a strategically placed jacket has been hung on a dowel hook in the wall panelling. And this sequinned number was picked out especially to clash in a harmonious way with the geometric seat cushion. The inky blue and coral lower hem of the jacket links the two fabrics, as does the gold cushion. Take your cue from fashionistas and imagine the seat cushion as a pencil skirt in a cool combo of the two fabrics.
Explore ways to introduce permanent patterns into your home
In this guest bedroom, a strategically placed jacket has been hung on a dowel hook in the wall panelling. And this sequinned number was picked out especially to clash in a harmonious way with the geometric seat cushion. The inky blue and coral lower hem of the jacket links the two fabrics, as does the gold cushion. Take your cue from fashionistas and imagine the seat cushion as a pencil skirt in a cool combo of the two fabrics.
Explore ways to introduce permanent patterns into your home
3. Playing with scale
Two very distinct wallpapers were used in this child’s room to make a fabulous design statement. The House of Hackney design on the chimney breast certainly isn’t a dedicated kids’ wallpaper, but becomes appropriate when clashed with the cute orange Mr Fox design by Scion in the alcove. An orange doggie cushion on the chair takes the clash further and keep things cute. The pretty little girl clothes hanging on the suit rack provide another orange accent, making the clash feel even more confident.
When mixing bold prints, focus on making the scale of the patterns in each one slightly ‘off’ to stop the effect feeling twee. Too small a print on this chimney breast, for example, could have made the whole thing overly busy.
Two very distinct wallpapers were used in this child’s room to make a fabulous design statement. The House of Hackney design on the chimney breast certainly isn’t a dedicated kids’ wallpaper, but becomes appropriate when clashed with the cute orange Mr Fox design by Scion in the alcove. An orange doggie cushion on the chair takes the clash further and keep things cute. The pretty little girl clothes hanging on the suit rack provide another orange accent, making the clash feel even more confident.
When mixing bold prints, focus on making the scale of the patterns in each one slightly ‘off’ to stop the effect feeling twee. Too small a print on this chimney breast, for example, could have made the whole thing overly busy.
4. Clashing art and accessories
In this hallway, the backdrop has been kept super neutral: wooden floor, glass trestle table and monochromatic furniture. The homeowners have then used art, cushions and props in clashing shades to add multiple layers of colour and pattern.
Swapping any of the art or accessories would instantly create a totally different look. You could, for instance, try a different statement floor light to add yet another dimension, or a bold patterned fabric on the armchair or cushion. Aim to pick out a colour from your artwork when choosing accessories in clashing patterns, to keep some continuity.
In this hallway, the backdrop has been kept super neutral: wooden floor, glass trestle table and monochromatic furniture. The homeowners have then used art, cushions and props in clashing shades to add multiple layers of colour and pattern.
Swapping any of the art or accessories would instantly create a totally different look. You could, for instance, try a different statement floor light to add yet another dimension, or a bold patterned fabric on the armchair or cushion. Aim to pick out a colour from your artwork when choosing accessories in clashing patterns, to keep some continuity.
5. Toned down
Use a muted colour palette to pare back the clash, softening the transition between different patterns. This beautifully calm bedroom has multiple layers and textures, from the quilted bedspread to the soft wool bedhead, the leaf wallpaper design and the bold fabric on the armchair. What ties them together is the putty and silver-grey palette, which makes the green chair stand out, while the white lamp adds a crisp focal point.
When you fancy a colour boost in a subtle scheme, try adding a dash of neon. A bold and bright cushion trim, tassel or zip would give a fashionista edge to a scheme like this.
Use a muted colour palette to pare back the clash, softening the transition between different patterns. This beautifully calm bedroom has multiple layers and textures, from the quilted bedspread to the soft wool bedhead, the leaf wallpaper design and the bold fabric on the armchair. What ties them together is the putty and silver-grey palette, which makes the green chair stand out, while the white lamp adds a crisp focal point.
When you fancy a colour boost in a subtle scheme, try adding a dash of neon. A bold and bright cushion trim, tassel or zip would give a fashionista edge to a scheme like this.
6. Adding colour to monochromatic furniture
In the great trials of mixing and matching, style rules are there to be broken. Sometimes, combinations can surprise you and a pattern or textured fabric you might usually overlook, or even positively dislike as a standalone, might turn out to be the perfect foil to the rest of your pattern clash. So play with the unexpected to create something novel.
The styling of this vintage leather sofa and mirrored Willy Rizzo vintage bar/coffee table shows how an eclectic array of cushions can add colour and quirky style. Try clashing styles of cushions, rather than just colours or textures. Team a modern geometric print with a traditional flowery design or embroidered or macramé-style gypsy cushion. The contrast of styles, when used in multiples, can look surprisingly edgy.
In the great trials of mixing and matching, style rules are there to be broken. Sometimes, combinations can surprise you and a pattern or textured fabric you might usually overlook, or even positively dislike as a standalone, might turn out to be the perfect foil to the rest of your pattern clash. So play with the unexpected to create something novel.
The styling of this vintage leather sofa and mirrored Willy Rizzo vintage bar/coffee table shows how an eclectic array of cushions can add colour and quirky style. Try clashing styles of cushions, rather than just colours or textures. Team a modern geometric print with a traditional flowery design or embroidered or macramé-style gypsy cushion. The contrast of styles, when used in multiples, can look surprisingly edgy.
7. Putting a wardrobe to work
Clothes make great props and are the stylist’s secret weapon. So don’t hide your best clashing prints and prized frocks in a wardrobe, put some of them on display in a dressing area or hanging on the back of a door. The colourful combinations will add character to the room and can be swapped around regularly for a different look.
The clashing patterns of these two dresses on the clothes rail look great, and the handbag – deliberately slung over the darker rather than the paler dress – ties them together.
Get great ideas for displaying your shoe collection creatively
Clothes make great props and are the stylist’s secret weapon. So don’t hide your best clashing prints and prized frocks in a wardrobe, put some of them on display in a dressing area or hanging on the back of a door. The colourful combinations will add character to the room and can be swapped around regularly for a different look.
The clashing patterns of these two dresses on the clothes rail look great, and the handbag – deliberately slung over the darker rather than the paler dress – ties them together.
Get great ideas for displaying your shoe collection creatively
8. Mixing up cultures
This bench seat area is a celebration of world art and textiles, with ikats, geometrics and tie-dye fabrics working together. The more styles, the merrier. This design features off-the-shelf and bespoke fabrics nestling beneath a gorgeous piece of vintage art, which adds to the clash because it’s busy in its own right. It also picks up the orange tones in the right-hand cushion and the copper lantern, and provides a vibrant clash of blues, pinks and reds.
Try picking a theme for your base clash to tie elements together – here, the homeowners have gone for geometrics for the cushions and bench. And if you want to introduce a secondary layer, as seen here with the painting, choose colour or texture to link this piece to your other accessories. Congolese Kuba cloth and Suzani fabrics from Central Asia would also work in this vibrant mix.
This bench seat area is a celebration of world art and textiles, with ikats, geometrics and tie-dye fabrics working together. The more styles, the merrier. This design features off-the-shelf and bespoke fabrics nestling beneath a gorgeous piece of vintage art, which adds to the clash because it’s busy in its own right. It also picks up the orange tones in the right-hand cushion and the copper lantern, and provides a vibrant clash of blues, pinks and reds.
Try picking a theme for your base clash to tie elements together – here, the homeowners have gone for geometrics for the cushions and bench. And if you want to introduce a secondary layer, as seen here with the painting, choose colour or texture to link this piece to your other accessories. Congolese Kuba cloth and Suzani fabrics from Central Asia would also work in this vibrant mix.
9. Added greenery
Flora and fauna can be used to add life to a moody clash. If softer colours are your thing, bring in muted hues and patterns to create a relaxing vibe. The cushions on this sofa are subtly clashing, but work because they echo some of the brushstrokes and colours in the painting on the wall, while the hanging plants adds a dash of green freshness.
How about using plants with wildly differing variegated leaves for a botanical clash?
TELL US
What’s your style tip for clashing colour, pattern and texture? Share your tips and tricks in the Comments below.
MORE
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How to Go Geometric Without Going Overboard
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Flora and fauna can be used to add life to a moody clash. If softer colours are your thing, bring in muted hues and patterns to create a relaxing vibe. The cushions on this sofa are subtly clashing, but work because they echo some of the brushstrokes and colours in the painting on the wall, while the hanging plants adds a dash of green freshness.
How about using plants with wildly differing variegated leaves for a botanical clash?
TELL US
What’s your style tip for clashing colour, pattern and texture? Share your tips and tricks in the Comments below.
MORE
7 Fashion Trends to Bring Into Your Home
How to Go Geometric Without Going Overboard
12 Ways to Wow With Patterned Tiles
If you want to try out the idea of mixing and matching strong patterns, let fabric or upholstery do the talking. In this bedroom, the bed linen’s bold crosshatches and chevrons make the statement, backed up by some lovely layered linens in shades of clay and oatmeal, which can all be swapped around as the mood takes you.
Keep your backdrop timelessly neutral to let your clashing focal point really sing, and to make it easier to chop and change.