How to Decorate With Patterned Furniture

Pick a color palette before you choose patterns. If you plan on using multiple patterns in a single room, limit your color scheme to three colors. Too many colors along with a variety of patterns make a room unorganized. Find colors that blend together well before selecting patterns.

Choose a few patternless neutral items. Plain white walls, simple stained or painted furniture, or a solid-color floor will go a long way in providing balance to a room. Purposefully leave a few big items "blank" to make the patterns stand out more.

Layer contrasting patterns next to each other. A couple of patterns, like a green floral print against a green stripe pattern, contrast each other directly in form, but bring a sense of visual stimulation to a room. Consider putting geometric-patterned pillows over a striped sofa or drape a floral-patterned blanket over an ottoman cover in a plaid print. Examine the contrast first before settling on a specific pattern.

Vary the scale of the patterns used in fabric, textiles and walls. A large geometric wallpaper pattern combined with small geometric-patterned accessories can make a room look larger, adding dimension and depth to your decor. Pick a few patterns that vary in scale to change the perception of size and scale for both the room and the furniture.

Mix and match different pattern styles with furniture pieces. Find pieces with modern-looking fabrics upholstered on traditional-styled pieces or vice versa. Shaking up a room's decor by mixing styles along with patterns can create an electric, shabby-chic look. Limit the colors in your palette when mixing the patterns in fabric and the patterns created by different furniture styles.