Mixing Patterned Pillows

With summer in full swing, I like to use accessories to give a light, bright look to my home.

When accessorizing a room, don't underestimate the power of pillows! Bringing in a mix of patterns can make a huge difference and compliment your overall decor.

Here are a few basic guidelines to help you choose the best mix of patterns for your room:​ * Choose 3 or more patterns; 3 is an ideal number in decorating for balance.

• Vary the scale of the pillows for visual interest.
• Vary the size of the patterns; try 1 large print with 1 smaller print.
• Keep a common hue to tie the patterns together.
• Don't over-do it; break up patterns with solids.
• Balance the colors and patterns throughout the room.
• Keep the fabrics similar; for example, don't mix a heavyweight fabric with a lighter weight, such as silk.
  However, don't be afraid to break the rules if that's what you love! I put together some pillow collages to show how you can mix patterns in a complimentary way.​

Blues are so calming, I never get tired of them. The center pillow below, has a beautiful print that is accentuated perfectly by the more subtle print on the turquoise pillow. The dark blue pillow pulls out the navy in the center pillow and ties it together.

Orange is said to be optimistic and uplifting. Who doesn't need more of that? The Suzani pillow (center) is complimented by a smaller pattern on the left and a solid orange on the right.

If you prefer a more monochromatic scheme, these soft grays and tans work beautifully.

Sweet JoJo Designs makes pillows with coordinating fabric on each side. It makes decorating with patterns super easy and gives you flexibility for change. In the next examples, I used one Sweet JoJo design pillow with one additional pillow.​

I love the small plaid with the large floral print below. The reverse side of the plaid pillow is green which perfectly ties in with the floral.

This cool feather pillow mixes well with the slightly smaller chevron print. The chevron pillow's solid reverse side makes for a cleaner pairing with the feathers.

The ticking stripe pillow with the reverse solid navy is so summery and perfectly balances larger polka dot print on the right.

Large ikat and a smaller chevron print are all tied together with a pretty blue hue.

You can also do one statement pillow with supporting solids to ground and accent the patterned piece. For instance, this Suzani-style print matches well with the camel colored pillow and the solids make the print pop.

In addition to pillows, you can swap out throw blankets and accessories. I recommend keeping the larger features in a space neutral and bringing in colors with smaller items. This way, you can change the feel of your space seasonally without spending a fortune.