WHY ARE PATTERNS SO POPULAR RIGHT NOW?
There's no denying the enduring relevance of pattern. Be it through textiles, tiles or wallpaper, pattern has proven to be a perfect way of adding visual appeal to our designs for centuries. And yet, in the past few years, we've noticed more and more patterns entering our homes in fresh and contemporary ways - but why? 'Maximalism in general has been seen a huge comeback in recent years which has seen a rise in both brands and people being more daring in their homeware choices,' explains Jessica Clayworth, Head of Design at Morris & Co. 'Patterns are an easy way of bringing that color, fun and personality into your home.' The key is to make traditional patterns feel modern. The 1970s revival that we've also seen dominate designs has likely played a significant role in patterns' return. Bright and bold geometric prints are having a huge moment, and there's no better way to replicate the retro vibe than using them against a backdrop of clashing patterned wallpaper.
1. START WITH A HERO PRINT
When it comes to clashing patterns, you might think it's simply a case of throwing any old prints together for the ultimate contrast but in fact, it's a more curated look than you'd think. According to Jessica, the trick is to start with a hero print from which to work your other patterns around. 'Choose something bold, colorful, with a resonation to your own personal style,' she says. 'The trick to any mismatched scheme is to find an anchor color that links your varying patterns together. You can then go to town on the designs as much as you like!'
2. ADD A PATTERNED SHADE
Most often, we think of wallpaper or area rugs when we want to add patterns to our homes. While these act as a great backdrop for building other clashing prints in your space, they are definitely a more daring and potentially risky choice. Instead, Jo Plant at Pooky encourages us to start small with a shade.
3. EMBRACE PATTERN DRENCHING
In order to embrace clashing patterns you'll need at least two prints, but why stop there? Pattern drenching is all about using an array of patterns and prints from floor to ceiling - and everywhere in between.
4. DON'T FORGET NEGATIVE SPACE
Finally, don't forget the importance of negative space. Just as white space is important on a page, some neutral elements of your design will help add a modern edge as well as emphasize the effects of the patterns.