How to mix patterns and upholstery fabrics like a pro

The thought of combining patterns can be a daunting prospect, but at FibreGuard we’re here to help with some simple, easy-to-follow advice. As fabric experts, we know all about the power of pattern to take an interior scheme from boring to brilliant. The right combinations of our PFAS-free upholstery patterns can add personality to your space, fundamentally changing the way it feels.

In this article, we’re looking at the best ways to combine patterns in your interior, and how FibreGuard’s stain-resistant upholstery fabrics can help you achieve a stylish, cohesive look.

What are the different types of upholstery fabric patterns?

Once you decide to embrace pattern in your home, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There really are thousands of different options out there when it comes to patterned fabrics for upholstery, curtains and cushions.

Here, we take a look at some of the most popular fabric patterns on the market:

• Chevron & herringbone – Both of these are characterised by a repeated zigzag pattern. The key difference is in the formation and angles of the pattern. Chevron gives a more angular, arrow-like effect while herringbone is more blocky.
• Jacquard – A type of fabric in which the pattern is woven into the fabric itself, rather than being added afterwards with dyes or printing techniques. The most common types of jacquard include brocade and damask.
• Geometrics – Crisp, often symmetrical, patterns featuring a series of repeated shapes, lines or curves. Perfect for contemporary spaces.
• Greek key pattern – A linear pattern featuring a maze-like design which dates from Ancient Greece.
• Trellis pattern – A grid-like geometric pattern with boxy, interlinking shapes.
• Harlequin pattern – A geometric pattern featuring diamond shapes. Typically made up of just two colours: black and white.

Related read: Explainer: what are jacquard fabrics?

How to mix and match upholstery patterns

Some of us run scared at the thought of combining patterned fabrics, which is completely understandable. But bringing different patterns together doesn’t have to result in clashing chaos. Instead, some of the most appealing interior spaces feature layers of contrasting and complementary patterns.

The secret is to ensure the scale of the patterns you choose work well alongside each other, as well as with the proportions of the room and the furniture within it.

When we talk about scale, we’re referring to the size and spacing of the motifs within the pattern. A large-scale upholstery pattern has large shapes in it, whereas a small-scale pattern has smaller motifs such as flowers or geometric shapes positioned closer together.

Scale also comes into play in relation to the size of a piece of furniture. A large-scale pattern might overwhelm a small sofa, for example, whereas a small-scale pattern might get lost on an over-sized armchair.

“I always choose my main fabric first. Once you have found your ‘showstopper’ fabric you can then find other fabrics that will combine with your choice. It’s important to consider the other soft furnishings in the room that also need fabric: cushions, upholstery, window seats, headboard, valances and so on.” – Fabric and wallpaper designer Charlotte Gaisford

Once you’ve chosen the pattern which will become the starting point for your room, you can then move on to selecting your secondary patterns. The idea here is to create pleasing contrasts by choosing designs that sit well together while still providing strong visual impact.

“Try to mix opposites. If you’re going to have a really large-scale floral, then don’t use another large-scale floral. Instead, try a tiny scale floral or, even better, a little geometric.” – Sophie Ashby from interior designer company Studio Ashby

The role of colour when mixing patterns

If you feel daunted by combining patterns, colour is your friend. When selecting contrasting patterns – whether that’s in scale or design – it works well to ensure there’s at least one colour they all share. This colour then becomes the common denominator that draws the look together.

It's also worth applying the 60-30-10 rule when combining colour and pattern. With this approach, the colour palette is limited to a maximum of just three shades. The first colour takes up 60% of the room, the secondary colour 30%, and the accent colour 10%. This approach helps to create a balanced scheme without one single colour dominating the room.

Adopting a pared-back colour palette also has the added benefit of balancing the effect of bold patterns. Restricting the colours creates cohesion and helps to prevent contrasting patterns from overwhelming the space.

Related Read: How to use complementary colours to style every part of your home

How to layer upholstery patterns with blocks of colour

To make patterns work effectively in your home, you need to combine them with blocks of solid colour, as well as with other patterns. Using FibreGuard’s easy-clean upholstery in a plain colour helps to balance out other patterned fabrics and reduce the ‘busyness’ of the look.

If you chose a patterned headboard, for example, you could combine it with blocks of colour in the form of plain-coloured cushions. The mix of solid colour set against pattern creates balance and also serves to tone down bold patterns.

A plain trim on cushions or upholstery also works well and can accentuate the effect of a bold pattern. Green velvet piping, for example, on the edges of a green chevron patterned sofa gives a sharpness and really makes the pattern sing.

The benefits of stain-resistant upholstery fabrics

If you’re looking for performance upholstery for your home, FibreGuard fabrics have got you covered. Not only are our stain-resistant upholstery fabrics available in a wide range of exciting patterns and textures, they are also stain-resistant, extremely durable and luxuriously soft to the touch.

Here are some of the reasons to choose our market-leading fabrics…

1. Easy to clean – Thanks to their embedded stain-free technology, FibreGuard fabrics can repel substances such as coffee, wine and ketchup.
2. Eco-friendly – Our fabrics are PFAS-free and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified which means they don’t contain any harmful chemicals.
3. Durable – FibreGuard fabrics are designed to stand the test of time. They are fade resistant as well as hardy, meaning they won’t deteriorate following washing and prolonged use.
4. High quality – You can feel the quality of FibreGuard performance upholstery fabrics as soon as you touch them. Although soft, they are strong and weighty enough to be used for any drapery or upholstery requirements.

To sum up, there’s nothing to fear when it comes to mixing patterns in your home. Keep our advice in mind about scale and colour, and try to have fun with pattern!

Remember, you’re in safe hands with FibreGuard's stain-resistant upholstery fabrics. Durable, soft and easy to clean, our versatile fabrics come in a wide range of patterns and textures.

Are you ready to embrace pattern in your home? Visit our Pinterest board and prepare to be inspired!