Provident Home Design

Decor, DIY, and Interior Design

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About PHD
    • Contact Me
  • DIY PROJECTS
  • DESIGN 101
  • PAINT
  • HOME TOUR
  • DESIGN INSPO
  • DECOR TIPS

GET NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL WHEN THERE'S A NEW POST!

Design 101- Repetition of Pattern

Last month in Design 101 we discussed how repeating similar colors throughout the home helps create a home that has a nice sense of flow and cohesiveness.  The principle of repeating colors also pertains to decorating a room.  If you use a color once in a room be sure to use it at least one or two more times in other areas of the room.  Repetition in design is crucial to creating rooms that are cohesive and satisfactory to the eye.

 Arch Studio, Inc. via Houzz

 

Today we will be talking about the repetition of patterns in creating beautiful spaces in your home.  The use of patterns in your rooms promotes interest and personality!  Imagine a room that only had furniture and décor that were solid colors, absolutely no prints or patterns.  It would be pretty plain and less welcoming.

There are a vast amount of patterns out there!  Some include Stripes, Florals, Polka Dots, Herringbone, Geometric, Ikat, and the list goes on and on.  It is important to utilize pattern in decorating your home and to repeat patterns in a space.

 

I find that the most attractive spaces have one main pattern carried out throughout the room with one or two other patterns that take more of a back seat position.  Here are some great examples from professional interior designers.    Study the picture and see if you can pick up on the main pattern being employed.

 

Martha O’Hara Interiors via Houzz

 

I LOVE the space above.  It is so pretty and tranquil.  The pattern I see repeated throughout the room is stripes.  Most noticeably on the wallpaper, then on the window treatments, and then again on the glass part of the light fixture.  This recurrence of stripes is subtle but powerful in creating such a beautiful, cohesive room.

 

 Tom Grimes Photography via Houzz

 

Again I LOVE the space above.  It is inviting, interesting, and relaxing.  Do you see the recurring pattern???  Yep, it is squares or boxes and it is mimicked several times throughout the room.   On the rug, the pillows are a square shape, square matted frames on the wall,  the unique square patterned entry way frames in black, the black door has a glass grid square pattern, and even the light fixture has a grid pattern.
I also like how the patterns on the pillows embrace two other secondary patterns to the space, stripes and Ikat.

 

Twist Interior Design via Houzz

 

The bathroom above is fun and different but unified due to it’s use of repetition in both color and pattern.  I do not know the technical name of the pattern exercised in this room but I call it scroll.  It is a pattern with soft curves that branch out in varying directions.  I see a scroll pattern in the wall paper, in the drapery, in the sconce, in the hand towel, and in the rug.

 

Houzz

 

To be honest I’m not a big fan in the pattern play orchestrated in the photo above.  There is good use of repetition of color but to me the space reads chaotic as the patterns vary too much and there is not one main pattern with secondary patterns.  To me it feels like all the different patterns are all fighting for attention in this space.  They did go above and beyond in repeating the dog pattern though:-)–cute little doggies.

 

So how can you implement this design principle into your own spaces?  Well, if your like me I usually decorate a space a little at a time.  I may start out with some items already there, like a ceiling light, some furniture, and piece of art but I gradually add more accents and accessories into the space.  As you do this you can be aware of any patterns you have going on already in the space and you can be sure to add pieces that will advance a main pattern and one or two ‘backseat’ patterns.

 

For example, in the bathroom below I assume that the light fixture was chosen first.  The designer then chose a bath mat that mimicked the shape or pattern of the light fixture.  When deciding on a decorative accessory for the window next to the oval bathtub they chose a ceramic urn/jar that’s body also has an oval-like shape like the light fitxure, bath mat pattern, and bathtub.

 

 Katherine Pelz Architecture via Houzz

 

The wonderful thing about decorating is that it is a visual, creative process.  I don’t like rules when it comes to creativity but if you are like me sometimes it is beneficial to have some underlining guiding points to help me when I am stuck.  That is what these Design 101 tips are meant for–please use them as helps but don’t let them take the fun out of creating your home in your special way!  For more of my Design 101 tips click Here.  I’ll be back soon with a tutorial on how I DIY-ed these paintings.

 

Paintings
.

Related Posts From the Blog:

  • One Room Challenge- The Master and Girls’ Bedroom Makeover Week 1One Room Challenge- The Master and Girls’ Bedroom Makeover Week 1
  • Tips & Tricks to Getting Free FurnitureTips & Tricks to Getting Free Furniture
  • A Coastal Christmas TablescapeA Coastal Christmas Tablescape
  • 5 Ways to Save Big on Hardwood Floors & New Floor Reveal5 Ways to Save Big on Hardwood Floors & New Floor Reveal
  • Last Chance Deals!Last Chance Deals!
  • Progress on the Floors & Inspiring DesignProgress on the Floors & Inspiring Design
  • Sneak Peek of the 2015 BIA Parade of HomesSneak Peek of the 2015 BIA Parade of Homes
  • DIY Ballard Designs Inspired Ottoman/StoolDIY Ballard Designs Inspired Ottoman/Stool

decorating// interior design// tutorials6 Comments

Subscribe

GET NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL WHEN THERE IS A NEW POST!

« Easy DIY Painted $1 Glass Vase
Ballard Designs Knockoff Paintings »

Comments

  1. Emily says

    Monday, April 28, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I love that your broke down the many thoughts that go into creating a space. I think I consider these things but sometimes I need to be reminded of them. Thank you for the examples. You can see a difference. Of course it is all up to personal taste but you don’t want to be the only one in love with your home while everyone else cringes. A good balance is needed

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Monday, April 28, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      You’re welcome, Emily! Yes, definitely a good balance is the goal. I appreciate your
      comment!:-)

      Reply
  2. Kim {Pinspired Home} says

    Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    I really appreciate the way you broke this down for those of us who aren’t designers by nature. I’m in the process of redecorating my family room and have been having a dickens of a time picking fabric for throw pillows. After reading this, I realized that I have two elements with stripes already, so I guess I should look for patterns with a play on stripes.as I move forward. Thanks for the tips!
    Found you at Tip Me Tuesday!

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Kim, I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!:-)

      Reply
  3. AshleyMcElheny says

    Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Thanks for the tips! Like Kim above, I am not a designer by nature and I need things broken down. I will look at a room and know that I like it, but not know how to recreate it. This has given me some great ideas for the house that I will be moving into in a few weeks.
    Thanks again, visiting you from Thrifty Thursday. 🙂
    Ashley @ LeavingTheRut.com

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 9:55 am

      I’m so glad you found this helpful, Ashley! Sounds like the next couple weeks will be a busy, exciting time!!! Thanks for stopping by!:-)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello and Welcome!! My name is Tamara and this is where I share my tips and tricks to creating a beautiful home! If you are new, feel free to start HERE.

Subscribe

Get notified via email when there's a new post!

Join me on Instagram!

[instagram-feed]

More Blog Inspiration:-)

  • Icon Caroline on Design

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Centsational Girl

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Decorating Delirium

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Lauren Liess

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Life on Virginia Street

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Remodelaholic

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon The Creativity Exchange

    Close preview

    Loading...
  • Icon Thrifty Decor Chick

    Close preview

    Loading...

Categories


Disclosure & Privacy Policy

You might also like

The Final Before & After of our Current Home

The Final Before & After of our Current Home

New Build Update-Paint, Lighting, and Floors oh My!

New Build Update-Paint, Lighting, and Floors oh My!

New Home Update

New Home Update

New Build Update- Cabinets are in!

New Build Update- Cabinets are in!

House Update–We Have Walls!

House Update–We Have Walls!

Join Me on Instagram!

[instagram-feed num=9 cols=9 showbutton=false]

Privacy

Copyright © 2021 · Savory theme by Restored 316

Enter your name and email to get my weekly post sent to your inbox... it's FREE!
Want to learn more about DIY, decorating, and making your home beautiful? Sign up below!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.