Decorating
Lift Walls and More With Dramatic Shapes and Standout Patterns
Whether it's fish-scale-like tiles or curvy mirrors, see all the different ways you can give walls and furniture a shapely boost
From the pattern on your pillows to the weave of your carpet, the consideration of shapes in your home can help create unique, comfortable and harmonious spaces. The sky is the limit when it comes to the array of shapes and possibilities to integrate them into your home, but have you considered shapes and patterns beyond the bedspread and cushion covers? Here are ways interesting and unusual shapes and patterns have been used to inject pizazz around the house.
Scalloped tiles
When it comes to bathrooms some renovators can’t look past rectangular and square tiles, considering only the colour, texture or print to give character to the space. These scalloped tiles are a perfect example of injecting vibrancy and pizazz into your bathroom or kitchen, with the round edges creating a warm and inviting touch. The rich turquoise and blue colours hint at an exotic Middle Eastern feel, creating the perfect atmosphere for a luxurious soak in the bath.
When it comes to bathrooms some renovators can’t look past rectangular and square tiles, considering only the colour, texture or print to give character to the space. These scalloped tiles are a perfect example of injecting vibrancy and pizazz into your bathroom or kitchen, with the round edges creating a warm and inviting touch. The rich turquoise and blue colours hint at an exotic Middle Eastern feel, creating the perfect atmosphere for a luxurious soak in the bath.
Hang your shapes
Can’t find the right artwork for your walls? For a simple and effective wall dressing that doesn’t need to be framed, shop around for stencils and create a motif of shapes to suit your style. These simple hexagons are enhanced by the symmetrical, repetitive shape and the integration of smaller hexagons within the pattern. Set against the right wall colour, as they are here, this simple DIY can create a contemporary, elegant focal point for your bedroom, lounge or living or room.
Can’t find the right artwork for your walls? For a simple and effective wall dressing that doesn’t need to be framed, shop around for stencils and create a motif of shapes to suit your style. These simple hexagons are enhanced by the symmetrical, repetitive shape and the integration of smaller hexagons within the pattern. Set against the right wall colour, as they are here, this simple DIY can create a contemporary, elegant focal point for your bedroom, lounge or living or room.
Alternating colours
Rather than splashing your feature wall with the one colour, try something a little different by painting on a chevron pattern. This is fairly simple for you to do at home, so long as you’re equipped with a pencil, long wooden ruler, painter’s tape and your paint supplies. Make sure your base colour has dried first then mark out your lines using the pencil and ruler. Place the tape in line with the pattern and apply the paint. If you’re dipping your toe in the water with this design try softer colours, such as pastel yellows, greens and blues to create a subtle effect.
Rather than splashing your feature wall with the one colour, try something a little different by painting on a chevron pattern. This is fairly simple for you to do at home, so long as you’re equipped with a pencil, long wooden ruler, painter’s tape and your paint supplies. Make sure your base colour has dried first then mark out your lines using the pencil and ruler. Place the tape in line with the pattern and apply the paint. If you’re dipping your toe in the water with this design try softer colours, such as pastel yellows, greens and blues to create a subtle effect.
Mirror-ball finishes
Have a party in the kitchen every day by introducing hexagonal tiles to make a feature splashback. These titanium tiles from Alloy create a chic, contemporary look that is perfectly set against the crisp white benchtop and cabinets. The use of smaller tiles can help make a wall look larger, providing the colours are the same tone and do not appear cluttered.
Have a party in the kitchen every day by introducing hexagonal tiles to make a feature splashback. These titanium tiles from Alloy create a chic, contemporary look that is perfectly set against the crisp white benchtop and cabinets. The use of smaller tiles can help make a wall look larger, providing the colours are the same tone and do not appear cluttered.
Stencils and motifs
A stencil or motif of shapes such as circles, pebbles or leaves can be the ideal solution for rooms with large glass windows or walls that have direct sunlight. Be it for privacy, design or for an alternative to curtains, shapes set against a glass backdrop offer a unique approach for difficult windows in your home. Enhance your living rooms or outdoor room with this dappled-light effect through the use of light whites, creams or greys set against the glass.
A stencil or motif of shapes such as circles, pebbles or leaves can be the ideal solution for rooms with large glass windows or walls that have direct sunlight. Be it for privacy, design or for an alternative to curtains, shapes set against a glass backdrop offer a unique approach for difficult windows in your home. Enhance your living rooms or outdoor room with this dappled-light effect through the use of light whites, creams or greys set against the glass.
Dress up the dining room
When I first think of a patterned dining suite I think of plush antique furniture the likes of what’s on display in the Palace of Versailles. Not so! Dress up your dining style by injecting colour and pattern into the upholstery of your chairs. Perhaps your current dining room suite is in need or a refresh or you’re already shopping around for the perfect piece. A bold, contemporary pattern, like these red and fawn spots, adds a fresh feel to the dining experience. Keen to give it a go yourself? Here are some handy tips for fabric shopping.
When I first think of a patterned dining suite I think of plush antique furniture the likes of what’s on display in the Palace of Versailles. Not so! Dress up your dining style by injecting colour and pattern into the upholstery of your chairs. Perhaps your current dining room suite is in need or a refresh or you’re already shopping around for the perfect piece. A bold, contemporary pattern, like these red and fawn spots, adds a fresh feel to the dining experience. Keen to give it a go yourself? Here are some handy tips for fabric shopping.
Polka dot walls
Sometimes the simplest use of shapes can be the most charming, and what could be more so than a classic polka dot print on your walls? Be it a bedroom, living room, nursery or study, this subtle use of pattern adds a light, airy feel to the room without competing with other furniture or patterns. Not 100 per cent sure about using polka dots? Try a feature wall first to see how it works with the surrounds, then go from there.
Sometimes the simplest use of shapes can be the most charming, and what could be more so than a classic polka dot print on your walls? Be it a bedroom, living room, nursery or study, this subtle use of pattern adds a light, airy feel to the room without competing with other furniture or patterns. Not 100 per cent sure about using polka dots? Try a feature wall first to see how it works with the surrounds, then go from there.
Mismatched mirrors
Why use one mirror when you could use several? This is a quirky (and thrifty) solution to finding mirrors for your bathroom or ensuite. Despite the different shapes of each mirror, their general similarity in size creates a kind-of symmetry. Check out your local second-hand furniture stores, antique sellers or online to source the perfect set of mirrors for your room.
See more ideas using mirrors
TELL US
How have you used shapes and patterns to add zest to your rooms? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Things to Paper Your Wall With That Aren’t Actually Wallpaper
20 Fabulous Feature Walls Ideas
12 Creative Ways to Bring Life to Blank Walls
Why use one mirror when you could use several? This is a quirky (and thrifty) solution to finding mirrors for your bathroom or ensuite. Despite the different shapes of each mirror, their general similarity in size creates a kind-of symmetry. Check out your local second-hand furniture stores, antique sellers or online to source the perfect set of mirrors for your room.
See more ideas using mirrors
TELL US
How have you used shapes and patterns to add zest to your rooms? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
10 Things to Paper Your Wall With That Aren’t Actually Wallpaper
20 Fabulous Feature Walls Ideas
12 Creative Ways to Bring Life to Blank Walls
Sponsored
Just because you’ve chosen a bold pattern to implement into your decor doesn’t mean you can’t introduce other patterns into the room. Avoid a cosmic clash by looking carefully at the primary pattern in your room and note defining characteristics including the nature of the lines and any complementary colours. Here, the identical pattern on the two chairs, though different in colour, contrasts beautifully with the stunning chevron wallpaper behind but picks up on the repetition of the zigzag pattern.
More: Wild Walls: How to Be Bold Yet Beautiful With Wallpaper