5 patterns to power your drenching

Pattern drenching is the home décor trend that invites us to go crazy with prints and motifs. No nook or cranny should be left unadorned – wallpaper, upholster and accessorise your way to pattern heaven.

There are very few rules when pattern drenching. Use the same pattern everywhere or follow an eclectic path with a different pattern on every surface. Mix your spots and stripes. Pair a delicate damask bedlinen with a punchy palm tree wallpaper. Pattern drenching is supposed to be fun and challenge traditional interior design rules.

Here are five patterns to power your drenching endeavours:

Stripes

Stripes feel familiar, making them a good choice for your first foray into pattern drenching. Take a tentative step with the silver/grey Strea embossed wallpaper, with its ultra-thin stripe and neutral colourway, or try the Blue Awning wallpaper for nautical vibes – both sold by B&Q.

Pair your striped wallpaper with bed linen – matching or contrasting, depending on your level of commitment. This linen blend striped bedding set features a broad stripe and is available in five flattering colours. Complete the look with this striped vase, linen blend stripe cushion and the ceramic striped rechargeable table lamp – all from M&S. 

Spots

From tiny dots to bold spheres, there is a spot pattern to suit your design preference. Perhaps the most famous is the Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot pattern, with its colourful splashes seen across ceramics, cutlery, floor runners and soft furnishings. 

Bigger spots belong in the geometric design department and these can provide a playful contrast to more delicate motifs. Segments Emerald features grass green circles applied to a warm cream background, available as curtains, roman blinds, cushions and lampshades. Try Segments with this monochrome spot wallpaper from Dunelm, which gives off distinct dalmatian vibes. 

Ditsy florals

If you’re a fan of cottagecore, countryside chic and quintessential British classics, you’ll probably love ditsy floral patterns. Cath Kidston was renowned for its tightly-packed, tiny flowers and the famous patterns live on at Next. 

A good place to start is the Harmony Ditsy wallpaper, although you’re spoilt for choice with a wide range of patterns applied to bedding, ceramics, window dressings, sofas, armchairs and lighting, allowing you to completely drench with ditsy florals.

Botanical

If flower is not your power but you want to bring a slice of nature into your home, explore botanical prints. The Designers Guild caters beautifully for the pattern drenching market. Kawana Delft is a repeating pattern of blue and white vases filled with lush green foliage, applied to wallpaper, bed linen, throws, fabric by the metre and washbags.

Or why not combine Graham & Brown’s curtains and blinds in Garden Vine pattern in Apple Green with its Daintree Palm wallpaper, its Aspidium Lonchitis XXII Green wall art and a scattering of Coppice Forest cushions? 

Ikat

Of all the geometric patterns, ikat is the most fashionable. It has rustic, tribal properties, where weaving or dying reveals multi-coloured patterns with tell-tale jagged edges. Your base could be this ikat wallpaper in orange from The Range, or the Indies ikat wallpaper sold by Jane Clayton. 

Buying fabric by the metre will give you the greatest choice of ikat patterns and colours. Patola Ginger by The Pure Edit, Stevie in Navy by Fabrics Galore and Sula in Teal, Olive and Red are ideal for cushions, curtains and blinds. Off the peg accessories that will complete the pattern drenching look include the Glacier Paradise cushion from Andrew Martin, the Flower Empire lamp shades from Graham & Green and the Ikat Abstract rug from Dunelm.

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