April 21, 2017 2 min read

Updated January 19, 2021

Bold & Beautiful: How to use prints and patterns in your home

You’re thinking about changing up the decor in your home but are unsure of which direction to take. You fancy the idea of being one of those people who is able to take pride and conviction in their choice of prints. Maybe it’s your first time, and you’re not really sure if it’s for you or how to go about it. Maybe you’ve ventured into the realm of prints and patterns before and have regretted it. Here are some suggestions from the experts at Furniture Fair that will allow you to mix bold patterns in your home with confidence. Don’t forget that Furniture Fair also offers complimentary interior design services.

 living room furniture

Tell the story of you
The prints that you choose to use in your home should speak to your personality and who you are. After all, your home is an extension of yourself. Just like with the clothes you wear, don’t try to make your home into something you’re not. You’ll be spending a lot of time here, so make sure the prints are something that you love and are inspired by.

Choose your statement
Opting for a bold print or pattern for large furniture pieces, such as sofas and area rugs, will attract the eyes of anyone who walks into the room. Avoid overwhelming the room and your guests by keeping the rest of the room simple with subdued prints and colors.

stylish living room furniture

Patterns that play nice

Certain patterns play better together than others. For instance, chevron tends to go well with other geometric prints and florals. Animal prints work with different fabrics in the same color family but of varying textures.

Stick to a color palette
Predetermining a color palette will allow you to experiment with a variety of prints within the set palette. If you’re opting for a loud print on a sofa or area rug, choose two to three colors that appear on those main pieces to use in the rest of the room.

Don’t forget the textures
If you’ve reached your limit with colors and different patterns, don’t forget to make use of textures, which will help add more dimension to your room.

chic living room furniture

Ease into it
Playing with prints and patterns can seem scary at first. Start small, and take it one step at a time. If a boldly printed sofa sounds like too much, take the first step with a patterned drapery and a few throw pillows in a print that you enjoy.