Add some pattern to your life

It is a thing of beauty that the human mind is so capable of adapting to new environments — what seems unsightly or uncomfortable at first glance soon becomes acceptable and bearable.

But this strength can also become a weakness. We often get used to otherwise plain settings and become afraid of introducing fresh patterns in our rooms because we’re just not sure of the effect it will have on the general look.

Sometimes, when selecting patterns, we’re not sure if we want to be looking at them for a long time to come.

We fear we may get bored quickly and want to do away with them, so we opt to play safe by eliminating patterns all together.

But patterns play an important role in the styling of our interiors, and this could come in the form of furniture, soft furnishings, fabrics and accessories.

The addition of patterns also creates a visual focus for your space and/or draws attention to a particular area or detail.

That said, when you choose to have patterns as part of your décor, ensure you don’t overuse them as this will make your room look cluttered.

Always give space to the object with a pattern so that it stands out and looks special.

If everything in your room has some form of pattern, the patterns will compete for attention and this can be very disturbing to the eye.

Patterns influence the mood and the function of a room, so consider the function the room will be used for as you pick your choices.

The predominant colours on patterns also influence mood; reds are warm and welcoming, blues are calming and restful, browns and oranges are warm, while yellows are bright and reflective.

Whatever mood you want to express, the pattern you choose can say it all.

Avoid bold and fussy patterns, especially if you are decorating a small area. It is safer to go for patterns with a neutral background and colours that will either contrast your current colour scheme or complement it.

In a large room, use pattern on walls, throws pillows and curtains to fill up the space.

Remember to balance patterns in your décor — too little pattern or no pattern at all may make a room seem lifeless while too much of the same can look chaotic.

Large patterns

These usually emphasize form and movement and are better used in open areas that are less cluttered.

The patterns could be used on the floor of a large room, on bed coverings or on walls where the design can clearly be seen without the interference of furniture.