Embracing small scale patterns and prints in your home

Stress-free pattern mixing for

your interior designs

Introducing pattern into your home can feel a little daunting. Especially if the patterns that catch your eye are fairly small – like some of those I highlighted from London Design Week last month.

Get it wrong and things can feel busy or overwhelming. But get it right and you’ll create rich, layered interiors full of life and personality.

The good news is, there are a few simple principles that can help you mix patterns with confidence - whether you’re layering them up or simply adding a few pieces for interest.

And of course, once you know the rules, it can be lots of fun to try breaking them once in a while. Don’t you think?

1. Start with a statement pattern

Before you dive into mixing lots of small patterns, it’s important to anchor your scheme with a show-stopping larger pattern.

This might be a dramatic floral fabric, a bold geometric wallpaper, or even a striking rug. Pick something you absolutely love and this will set the tone for everything else.

Once you have your statement piece chosen, you can start to build the rest of your scheme around it, using small patterns to complement and enhance the overall look.

2. Choose a colour palette and stick to it

One of the biggest mistakes people make when mixing patterns is losing control of the colour story.

I always advise choosing your key fabric or wallpaper first and taking your colour palette from that. Ideally, you’ll have at least three colours to work with, but five is even better, giving you more flexibility to create a cohesive, layered look.

And don’t forget. As you move forward with your design, keep referring back to your colour palette as you go. It'll make sure everything connects together, even when you’re mixing very different patterns and styles.

3. Mix pattern size and scale to create balance

The key to making different patterns work together is all about scale. Small patterns really come into their own when they are balanced against medium and large patterns. Without that contrast, a room can easily feel too hectic or too flat.

Try one of these ideas:

• Pair a large-scale floral with a small geometric
• Mix bold prints with tiny, ditsy patterns.
• Use a busy small-scale wallpaper, but keep the furniture pieces in plainer fabrics, adding bold patterned cushions for extra detail.

If you’re feeling a little braver, you can even flip the scale — for example, using a large-scale patterned wall with a small-scale patterned sofa. 

It might sound bold, but when tied together with a consistent colour palette, really can look absolutely stunning.

4. Add definition with trims and details

When working with small patterns, little details can make all the difference.

Think, busy patterned cushions with a bold plain edging, almost creating a frame for the eye. Or what about the reverse? A plain cushion with a patterned trim for a pop of interest.

Patterned headboards, especially in bedrooms, can look beautiful edged with a plain piping or border, giving a crisp, finished look.

This is something I’m seeing everywhere at the moment. And these seemingly tiny elements can elevate a design, helping to create definition and stop patterns from bleeding into each other. 

5. Do you have a pattern personality?

This is one thing I explore with new clients during there one-to-one Inspire Session. And actually it’s really valuable to understand where you fall when it comes to patterns. 

The question is: 

Are you a “many layers” person, or a “one big feature” person?

Some people love intricate interiors full of details, trims, and different patterns coming together – in the design world we call this maximalism. Others prefer clean, bold statements – perhaps one standout patterned piece in a sea of elegant plains.

Neither approach is right or wrong - it’s about what makes you feel good in your home. In fact, the most successful interior schemes are the ones that reflect your personality, not what’s trending.

6. Remember: there are no rules

Finally - and perhaps most importantly - remember there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to your home.

People I meet are so often scared of ‘getting it wrong’ or creating a room that looks ‘too crazy’. But if you consistently stick to your colour palette and mix up patterns of different scales, you’ll be amazed how fabulous the final result can look.

To be honest, the best advice I can give is to enjoy the process.

Decorating should be fun and joyful, not stressful. Trust your instincts, pick up tonnes of samples, move things around, pair them together, look at them in different lights, until they feel right.

And don’t worry about what others might think. Your home should make you happy – you’re not designing it for anyone else.

So embrace the small prints, have fun experimenting, and remember: the only real rule is that you love living in the space you’ve created.

If you’ve spotted a small-scale pattern you love but you’re worried about how to make it work in your home, why not get in touch?

Book a complimentary 30-minute call so we can talk about how I could help.