Pattern drenching: when more is more

Avid readers may remember our blog on colour drenching – the interior design trend that sees every surface in one room – walls, ceiling, woodwork and radiators – painted in the same colour.

Now we’re reporting on the next décor chapter – one aimed at those who really want to dial up the impact. Step forward pattern drenching. As well as motifs on walls and even ceilings, pattern drenching invites us to involve upholstery and soft furnishings too.

If you’re preparing to move, pattern drenching may be the perfect way to personalise your new home. Where you start depends on your appetite for colour, clashing styles and pattern chaos. 

Full-on matchy matchy

At the deep end is full-on pattern drenching, using the same pattern across all surfaces. Look no further than the House of Hackney for pattern collections that span fabric, wallpaper and accessories. The Hollyhocks range represents bold cottagecore – a repeating pattern of small, bright flowers in the style of Gustav Klimt. 

There are several colourways to choose from, printed on wallpaper, cotton linen, velvet and viscose – all sold by the metre. Or buy pre-made Hollyhock cushions, lampshades, headboards, curtains, sofas, armchairs and ottomans for the ‘more is more’ look.

Same shade, different pattern

If the same pattern applied everywhere is too much, you can stick with a single colour palette or theme but opt for different patterns with the boundaries. If you love all things blue, look for patterns in that colour family, or stick with a tropical/botanical theme. 

Graham & Brown has an amazing stripe pattern library that encompasses wallpaper, curtains, blinds and wall art. Use its search function to look up ‘fern’ patterns, for example, and choose from different leaf structures and shades of green.

Straight up

Stripes are a classic pattern that can be used when drenching, offering a contemporary alternative if florals feel too twee. There are a myriad of widths and colours available – search ‘stripes’ on the Colefax and Fowler website to see the vast choice of wallpaper and fabric. 

Pastel stripes offer the most subtle way to pattern drench and are delicate enough to be used on wallpaper, bedlinen and ceilings all at the same time. Coastal charm is evoked when you mix bold-coloured stripes with white, conjuring up images of lighthouses and deckchairs. If timeless classics are your style, opt for pinstripes woven into linen and printed on textured wallpaper, with colours taken from a natural colour palette. 

Vary the scale

If you’re worried you won’t find the right balance when faced with hundreds of patterns, start with one big, bold print for your walls and choose smaller motifs for other areas in the room. This will help create visual balance and stop overwhelm.

For example, opt for an oversize ikat print for your wallpaper, perhaps in a bold shade of orange like this vintage pattern, and pair it with blinds made from the kasuri weave fabric in indigo blue and the paxton ready-made cushion – all by Jane Clayton.

We love hearing about your moving and home décor plans. We can find the right property to which you can add your design flair. Contact us for a current valuation of a property you own, and for a list of available homes.