Decorating
Serial Renovator: 5 Ways That Patterns Create a Powerful Interior
Patterns add drama, create depth and are an effective way to unify an interior scheme. Still need convincing? Read on
When pattern is mentioned in interior design, it is easy to associate it with a geometric-patterned wallpaper or colourful prints on interior fabrics. But patterns are created constantly in interiors, often in ways you might not expect, and they play an important role in a scheme.
Pattern gives you the ability to bring energy, interest and contrast into your design, and when patterns are done well they bring a room together and give depth to your space. From minimal to eclectic, traditional to modern, pattern plays a part in every interior style and it’s worth considering as you make design decisions. Here I open your eyes to the possibilities of pattern.
Pattern gives you the ability to bring energy, interest and contrast into your design, and when patterns are done well they bring a room together and give depth to your space. From minimal to eclectic, traditional to modern, pattern plays a part in every interior style and it’s worth considering as you make design decisions. Here I open your eyes to the possibilities of pattern.
1. Pattern adds drama
Try watching a TV show without any drama – it would be boring and dull. As much as we may suggest we avoid drama in our lives, you have to admit a little bit of drama creates excitement and gives you something to talk about with friends. Your interior is no different – when there is no drama, no contrast or sense of dynamism in a space, it runs the risk of being boring and forgettable.
Patterns are a sure way of creating drama in your space, they are likely to be the feature in your home that creates wow-factor. Sure, I have seen my fair share of patterns that make you take a second look – and for all the wrong reasons. But done right, patterns will be the hero of your design.
Try watching a TV show without any drama – it would be boring and dull. As much as we may suggest we avoid drama in our lives, you have to admit a little bit of drama creates excitement and gives you something to talk about with friends. Your interior is no different – when there is no drama, no contrast or sense of dynamism in a space, it runs the risk of being boring and forgettable.
Patterns are a sure way of creating drama in your space, they are likely to be the feature in your home that creates wow-factor. Sure, I have seen my fair share of patterns that make you take a second look – and for all the wrong reasons. But done right, patterns will be the hero of your design.
2. Pattern gives dimension and direction
What I love about pattern is that it creates depth in a room by drawing your eye. A pattern (whether it be a print on the wall or the layout of tiles on the floor or wall) has the ability to take a plain, two-dimensional surface and give it almost a three-dimensional presence.
People can sometimes avoid patterns for fear that they may distract from an overall design, but I hold the opinion that pattern brings more dimension to a room while drawing your eye to a focal point.
Don’t you just love this view? I love that the pattern created by the lines of the wooden ceiling and floorboards ensures that is exactly where you look.
What I love about pattern is that it creates depth in a room by drawing your eye. A pattern (whether it be a print on the wall or the layout of tiles on the floor or wall) has the ability to take a plain, two-dimensional surface and give it almost a three-dimensional presence.
People can sometimes avoid patterns for fear that they may distract from an overall design, but I hold the opinion that pattern brings more dimension to a room while drawing your eye to a focal point.
Don’t you just love this view? I love that the pattern created by the lines of the wooden ceiling and floorboards ensures that is exactly where you look.
This doesn’t mean you need to draw stripes all over your white walls – this direction and dimension can be created in a very simple way for even the most pared-back interiors. Here is a great example of that; the splashback creates a strong dimension within this space while the flooring layout and the timber detailing in the island panel, as well as the timber panelling on the ceiling, ensures your eye is drawn along the whole kitchen to the outside entertaining area.
12 ways to wow with patterned tiles
12 ways to wow with patterned tiles
3. Pattern brings energy
Pattern has an energy, simply because it is repetitive. One timber panel by itself would seem insignificant, but when it is repeated over and over again along a wall, there is an energy, a sense of movement; the repetition takes you on a journey.
Tip: When a space lacks energy, colour is normally our first go-to, but don’t discount looking at pattern as a way to remedy that.
Pattern has an energy, simply because it is repetitive. One timber panel by itself would seem insignificant, but when it is repeated over and over again along a wall, there is an energy, a sense of movement; the repetition takes you on a journey.
Tip: When a space lacks energy, colour is normally our first go-to, but don’t discount looking at pattern as a way to remedy that.
4. Pattern brings emphasis
Pattern can be used, alongside other elements of interior design, to emphasise aspects of a room. For example, a high, pitched ceiling can be given emphasis by a row of exposed beams, tall doors are emphasised by vertical panelling, and a large kitchen island is emphasised by a marble pattern on the benchtop.
Tip: Using vertical lines repeatedly will make something look even higher, and repeated horizontal lines make something appear wider, while round patterns can make a room soft and create more sense of space.
Pattern can be used, alongside other elements of interior design, to emphasise aspects of a room. For example, a high, pitched ceiling can be given emphasis by a row of exposed beams, tall doors are emphasised by vertical panelling, and a large kitchen island is emphasised by a marble pattern on the benchtop.
Tip: Using vertical lines repeatedly will make something look even higher, and repeated horizontal lines make something appear wider, while round patterns can make a room soft and create more sense of space.
5. Patterns brings it all together
Pattern brings unity; it can draw elements of a room together to make one cohesive design. Pattern can be the tool that takes a room from a space with a lot of nice pieces to a cohesive interior scheme.
How to work with white, grey and beige
Pattern brings unity; it can draw elements of a room together to make one cohesive design. Pattern can be the tool that takes a room from a space with a lot of nice pieces to a cohesive interior scheme.
How to work with white, grey and beige
A pattern can bring all the shapes, lines, textures and colours of a room together by reflecting small elements of each, giving them a purpose for being present and emphasising their role in the room.
Often when interior design is done well, people respond by saying, ‘I wouldn’t think that all of these elements would all work together, but somehow they do’. Patterns are often like the missing element of an outfit, that finishing touch in accessories that makes all your other selections make sense. I have often placed a patterned cushion in a space and it makes the wall colour, the furniture layout and flooring texture all come together – I have even designed a whole room around the pattern of a rug.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful contemporary homes
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful contemporary homes
See more monochrome kitchens