Interior Design: Choosing Patterns

All the information you need about the best ways to use patterns in interior design.

When you are putting a room design together you may feel that it is easier and less risky to use plain colors however patterns are very useful in interior design and you will be missing a great deal if you do not incorporate them in many situations.

Why Choose Patterns?

1. They add color and interest.
2. They can serve as the starting point to create the color scheme for a room.
3. They can make a particular part of a room a focal point for attention.
4. They can disguise uneven walls and oddly shaped rooms when used in wallpaper.
5. They can be used to alter how the room is perceived in terms of dimensions.

How to Start Choosing Patterns

When selecting a pattern be aware how it will affect or complement the design of the room in the following ways

Choose a Pattern with the Right Mood

Large patterns offer a dramatic focal point while small patterns often provide a muted backdrop. All of this also depends on the color of the pattern and the contrast between the various colors in the pattern as color has such a big effect on mood. Greens add freshness. Blues have a cooling calming effect. Orange or red add excitment and drama.

Choose a Pattern with the Right Colors

Consider how the colors in the pattern will tie in with the rest of existing room (or the room you have planned). If you are starting from scratch you will have an easier time selecting a pattern and can use the colors in the patttern as the basis for your scheme.

Choose a Pattern with the Right Scale

Large patterns are dramatic and are better seen on a large surface where they can be viewed without too much interference from furniture. They tend to dominate a room and will make a small room seem smaller but they are very effective on a single wall or on a large area such as a bedcover or full-length curtains.

Small patterns work like muted colors and are better for small areas and for rooms with uneven walls and odd shapes. A room decorated completely in small patterns tends to look bland so it is good to contrast a large pattern and a smaller pattern which use similar colors.

Choose a Pattern with a Suitable Style

There are many types of patterns but they fall generally into the following groups:-

Florals

These range from chintz like patterns reminiscent of a country cottage to large scale over-sized flowers beloved of contemporary designers so there is a floral pattern to suit every room.

Stripes

Stripes may be dramatic wide stripes in two contrasting colors suitable in a formal room or multi-colored narrow stripes which add an informal fun element

Checks

Checks range from country gingham to sophisticated tartan with every size of check in between and in every color.

Spots

Spots add a fun element to a room and go well with other patterns using the same colors.

Pictorial Patterns

You will see these in French toile and in the farmyard designs on kitchen curtains. Pictorial designs look good where you can see the whole of the design unhindered and therefore they are good in wallpaper and roller blinds.

Abstracts

Just about everything else!

Where to Use Patterns

You can use patterns everywhere in a room from window valances and curtains, to wallpaper, to sofa coverings to carpets but they really should not be used everywhere at the same time! Choose a few patterned elements and leave the remainder of the room suitably plain. For example if you have patterned wallpaper choose plain carpet or hardwood flooring.

Interior Design Ideas For a Living Room

Interior Design Ideas
A living-room serves as the main room of the house; it serves as a multi-purpose room, which can be used for entertaining guests, to relax or retire at night and read a book, to watch a movie or TV, listen to music and much more. When playing the prime role in the house, a living-room needs to give the impression of a trendy, up-to-date yet extremely comfortable living space.

A living-room plays a number of roles, serving from an in-home movie theatre to a study room, but the most significant role played by a living-room is that of a TV lounge. This is the reason why, most of the time, the main focus while refurbishing a living-room is kept on the television - its position in the living room, the placement of the sofas or couches opposite to it and other aspects regarding the television. This is good if one considers the living-room solely a TV lounge. If a living-room is used as a multi-functional span then before setting it up, every single aspect of the room is to be taken in.

The living-room can be used for entertainment and also for formal occasions. Therefore, interior of living room should be paid special attention. The living-room reflects your personality and has to be decorated and styled according to your comfort and needs. Following are some living-room interior design ideas:

If you have a chimney or fire place area in the sleeping-room, you can make it the centre of the room. Make a small conversation area, using cushions or small tables and chairs in front of the fire place. Place the television and sofa or couch in the other corner of the apartment. Placing lamps in the corner and using large paintings in the rooms will add to the beauty and warmth of the room.

One should use a combination of light and dark contrasting colours but they should not be shocking. Do not use very dark colours on the walls as it will make the apartment space look smaller and congested.

Placing a love seat by the window in the room will make a good small corner for reading too. Placing matching or contrasting rugs in the room will make it more beautiful. Use simple decoration items. There should not be many large decor items; only one centre piece is enough. The centre piece can be placed on the table in the centre of the room.

The large piece used should be sofas, couches, chairs and bookcases. Another good idea to make use of old furniture is by using covers of rich heavy fabrics. One can also paint the furniture of dark wood colour that gives the room a classic look.

Placing fresh indoor plants can also be very useful. Small potted trees and plants in the sitting-room look refreshing to the eyes and also clean the air. Right items like furnishings and decors can greatly improve the interior of your living room if used properly.

Sarah K Howarth is an interior designer. You can take his services to learn how to made to measure curtains and get variety on the sale of printed curtains.