Who's Afraid of Patterns and Colors?

If all your decorating plans wind up going back to off white and brown because you are unsure of yourself for mixing patterns and colors, it's time to be a little more daring in your decor.

If you love the look of a room that has fabrics and wallpapers that are coordinated, it's easier than you think to do. Here are a few tips to help you learn to "eyeball" colors and patterns and match them seemingly effortlessly. It only take the knowledge of a few key tips and practice to learn to "see" the colors in a room.

When combining patterns in a room, you can use two different patterns easily if you remember keep the background colors the same. If you have a wall paper in one wear that has an eggshell background and a lightly colored pattern. Use drapery fabrics in the same color scheme. Choose the same background color and try to pick up at least one of the colors in the wall paper to keep the room flowing. You don't have match each and every color, you'll find if you attempt to do that, your room will feel a little too "busy".

Don't be afraid to experiment with large patterns and small patterns. It's perfectly permissible to mix and match patterns such as a large criss-cross with a light stripe. Make sure both patterns have the same background and at least one color matches and then see how it looks in your room.

To tie in your look; add pillows, lamp shades and accent pieces such as painted wooden boxes with candles inside that are in solid colors to pick up one of the colors in your pattern. This will help the design of your room flow throughout and keep the mood of the decor you have chosen.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals