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13 perfectly patterned rooms

Patterns add personality to any space. From classic plaids to checks to global prints, there's a pattern to please every palette. Here, 13 inspiring rooms whose patterned decor range from subtle accent pillows to bold wallpaper.
Good Housekeeping // Good Housekeeping

Large and in charge

An armchair with a patterned slipcover Next Slide

If your all-solid room is looking a bit drab, try easing into patterns.

Bing: Stylish slipcovers

Freshen up a piece of furniture, such as an armchair, with a patterned slipcover. Then hang a large piece of artwork at the focal point of the living room for an instant update.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
1 of 15 Ken Hayden/Photoshot/Red Cover

Tame animals

Previous Slide Zebra pillows and a matching rug Next Slide

Not all pattern play has to be loud. Spruce up your space with zebra pillows and a matching rug. Keep the rest of the neutral decor untouched to help this feminine space maintain its quiet feel.

Video: 2-minute home makeover: Color palettes that please

2 of 15 Anastassios Mentis/Photoshot/Red Cover

Playful prints

Previous Slide Patterned ottomans in front of a bold orange sofa Next Slide

Complement a bold orange sectional with a fun ottoman -- or two. (They're easy to change when you're ready to swap out the pattern.) Add coordinating throw pillows to complete the lively look.

Bing: How to use throw pillows

3 of 15 Peter Margonelli/Photoshot/Red Cover

Head to toe

Previous Slide A white room with patterned floor-to-ceiling curtains Next Slide

Striking patterns turn a nondescript white room into something special. For a dramatic look, consider patterned, floor-to-ceiling curtains. Choose an area rug in the same color scheme to balance the horizontal and vertical patterns.

Video: Decorating "don'ts" that you should totally do!

4 of 15 Ken Hayden/Photoshot/Red Cover

Pretty in pink

Previous Slide A living room with layers of monochromatic patterns Next Slide

Energize your living room with layers of patterns. Start with a solid wall for your backdrop and let the patterns pop.

Bing: Decorating with pink

Stick to one color family to avoid sensory overload.

5 of 15 Henry Wilson/Photoshot/Red Cover

Bottoms up

Previous Slide A living room in solid hues with a block patterned area rug Next Slide

Still not convinced that patterns are for you? Try decorating your living room with all solids, except the area rug.

Video: Cheap ways to transform your home

Choose a color block pattern that is interesting to look at without making your space unbearable. And don't be timid when selecting the solid pieces. Commit to at least one bold hue, like a sunny yellow.

6 of 15 Laura Moss/Photoshot/Red Cover

Mix and match

Previous Slide Living room furniture upholstered in polka dots and stripes Next Slide

It turns out you can pair polka dots with stripes. The large pieces in this room each boast a different pattern, but thanks to their subdued color palette, the prints work together to create a perfect union.

7 of 15 Deborah Whitlaw-Llewellyn/Photoshot/Red Cover

Flair for drama

Previous Slide Chairs upholstered in fabric with loud patterns Next Slide

Love the look of a bold pattern but afraid to commit? Use loud patterns in a place that can easily be updated, such as chairs, in case you change your mind. To create an eye-catching aesthetic, showcase patterns on an unexpected piece, like an X-bench or a fabric lampshade.

8 of 15 Ana Donahue Interiors/Michael J. Lee

Child's play

Previous Slide Retro wallpaper and a striped rug in a kid's room Next Slide

Kids rooms are a perfect place to experiment with patterns. Retro wallpaper combined with the striped rug doesn't overwhelm the space, but instead gives it a sense of playfulness. Our verdict? Just have fun with it.

9 of 15 Katie Lydons Interiors/Courtesy Jonny Valiant

Buttoned up

Previous Slide Fun prints on pillows and window treatments Next Slide

Going for a more sophisticated look? Patterns can solve your problem. Stick with solids for your largest pieces, such as the sofa and ottoman. Choose a mix of fun prints and a more traditional one, like a plaid, to adorn your pillows and window treatments.

10 of 15 Katie Rosenfeld Design/Courtesy Michael J. Lee
Previous Slide Good Housekeeping // Good Housekeeping Next Slide
14 of 15 Good Housekeeping
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