How to Bring Pattern and Colour into Your Home (With No Fear or Regret)

mydenlife
May 1
6 min read

If you’ve ever walked into someone else’s home and thought how it feels so like them; full of character, homeliness or super stylish — and wondered why your own space feels a little too safe or samey, this month’s blog post is for you.

Often those impressions you get come down to using pattern and colour in your home. Picking this for your own home can feel like stepping into the deep end, especially if you’ve been living in a sea of neutrals for years. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming — and it certainly doesn’t have to mean clashing prints or bold walls that you regret a week later.

Not me! I hear. I’m too scared in case I get it wrong. Let me help you with some tried and tested interior design approaches that will mean you can pimp up your home’s character in safety — even if you’ve never strayed beyond beige before. I have also looked to curate images this week that show pattern and colour in homes that don't all have the architectural stand out features - as let's be honest - we don't all have that luxury! But this is the way you add in features and character to your home so read on...

Photo credit: Pinterest Unknown

Begin with What Feels Natural

Before you dive into swatches or Pinterest boards, take a moment to notice what you already gravitate towards. Look around your home, your surroundings — or even your wardrobe — and ask:

What colours do I love wearing?
What patterns catch my eye in artwork or textiles?
What rooms have I been in recently that I’ve loved and why?
Do I lean towards soft and organic, or bold and graphic?
What feeling do I want to feel in the room when it’s done? Comfy, relaxed, focused, energised?

Start there. You don’t need to force a trend or copy what’s popular online. Your home should reflect you. So grab a pen and paper and write down colours and patterns you love (and if you have to involve your partner then get them to do the same!). Without doubt you will find a common thread in what you have written down. To help here is an example:

So I would take from that a soft green could work on the walls - calming, works well with plants and is a great neutral to add a pop of bright accessories into. Not too much furniture or heavy looking furniture but storage is key which will help it to feel uncluttered and light. Look to add in gold metal accents in lighting/cabinet handles for a bit of glam.

Photo credit: Pinterest Unknown

Use Neutrals as Your Base Layer

A neutral backdrop makes adding pattern and colour feel far less risky. Think of soft whites, warm greys, gentle pinks, sage greens — these calming tones allow colour to shine without overwhelming the space. There are so many paint colour options out there now but have a look at sites such as COAT who offer advice on room direction and earthy or cleaner palettes too

Photo Credits with thanks to: Little Greene Masquerade

Once your base is set, you can layer in richer tones or prints more confidently — knowing they have something to anchor them. And if you can pick out part of the neutral tone in your patterned elements it will all feel cohesive.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Colefax & Fowler

Introduce Colour with Intention

Still not sure about painting the walls? You don’t have to commit to painted walls as a starting point to enjoy colour. Begin your colour and pattern journey with pieces that are easy to swap or shift as your style evolves. And if you have a graphic style then a white backdrop with pops of colour in accessories and art looks fabulous.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Immersory

Think about adding colour using some of these items:

A deep-toned velvet cushion
An abstract artwork that draws the eye
A colourful ceramic lamp base
Upholstery on a statement chair

Photo Credits with thanks to: Frontgate

The real trick to make it feel intentional is to repeat colours in subtle ways — look at how the rust red in the image below in the cushion also appears in the artwork and accessories on the shelving. This creates flow and cohesion without being too “matchy”.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Pinterest Unknown

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Patterns — But Do It Thoughtfully

Mixing patterns can feel like an advanced skill, but here’s a simple formula that works:

Vary the scale – combine one large-scale pattern with a smaller one
Limit your colour palette – stick to two or three core colours throughout
Use solids to give the eye a rest – plain fabrics or finishes help balance things out

For example, a large floral curtain can be paired with a cushion in a small check, as long as there’s a shared colour thread between them.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Sanderson (Truffle design)

Balance Bold with Calm

If you love the idea of a bold wallpaper or patterned rug, let that be the star and allow the rest of the room to breathe. It’s all about balance. Maximalism of course takes it to another level but the majority of us like to have a bit of both in our lives.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Pinterest Unknown

One patterned feature wall can be beautifully offset by simple linen curtains, a neutral sofa, and minimal accessories. Or, flip the script — keep the walls plain and bring pattern in through textiles and smaller furnishings. Or go half wall like the below image and mix things up.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Pinterest Unknown

Let Texture Play a Part

Not all pattern comes from print. This is a favourite of mine. Texture adds subtle depth and interest without the visual noise. Think boucle, rattan, raw timber, soft velvet, glossy tiles — these materials all have a “pattern” of their own.

Layering different textures in a similar tone adds richness, especially in calmer spaces like bedrooms or cosy nooks. It adds depth to a space with the light and shadow the textures cause, tactile interest (ever just needed to touch something to see how it feels - or is that just one of my weird traits?!) and makes for easy layering as it’s tone on tone of similar colours.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Otto Tiles

Experiment in Smaller Spaces

Cloakrooms, hallways, utility rooms — these “in-between” areas are perfect playgrounds for experimenting with colour and pattern. Because you don’t spend long periods in them, you can be a bit braver. That downstairs cloakroom - just do it - go all out in there. You won’t regret it - it will bring a bit of joy every time you step in there.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Pinterest Unknown

Try a bold wallpaper or colourful patterned tiles, add a shot of colour in an archway to a room or paint your doors. These become little moments of joy as you move through the home.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Otto Tiles

Try the 60-30-10 Rule

If you’re nervous about colour proportions, this old design trick still works and is used on TV interior shows constantly as a mantra for a reason:

Photo Credits with thanks to: Damian Russell

60%: Your main colour — often a neutral base (walls, large furniture)
30%: A secondary colour — perhaps a deeper or warmer tone (rugs, curtains)
10%: An accent colour — the pops that give personality (art, cushions, lampshades)

This keeps your palette feeling considered and layered without tipping into overload.

Photo Credits with thanks to: Next (Blue Hive Rug)

Mood Matters — Choose Colours That Feel Right

Think about how you want a room to feel, not just how it looks.

Want a space to feel cosy and intimate? Deep, warm colours like rust, olive, or navy work beautifully.
Craving calm and clarity? Try soft greens, muted blues, or chalky neutrals.
Need a lift in energy? Consider warmer tones like ochre, coral, or even a playful pink.

Colour affects our mood far more than we realise — so use it to shape how a space feels, not just how it is.

Photo Credits with thanks to: A Full Mug

Give Yourself Permission to Play

Here’s the truth: bringing colour and pattern into your home doesn’t have to be a “forever” decision. Homes evolve, and your taste will too. And who knows where you will end up?

Photo Credits with thanks to: Etsy

Start small. See what sparks joy. Swap, layer, adjust. And if you need help pulling it all together in a way that feels cohesive, confident, and totally you — that’s where I come in.

Photo Credits with thanks to: The Design Files

Ready to Bring Your Home to Life?

If you’ve been playing it safe and are ready to bring some personality, colour and wow-factor into your space — I’d love to help. Whether it’s choosing the right palette, curating fabrics, or layering pattern like a pro, together we’ll create a home that feels both stylish and unmistakably yours.