2013 has been and will continue to be the year of the design pattern in interior decorating. Bold graphics adorn everything from throw pillows, wall prints and lamps to rugs, wallpaper and furniture. And the patterns run the gamut from traditional floral to more exotic animal patterns. If you like prints and patterns, it’s actually quite a fun time to be decorating or redecorating your home because of all the great graphic trends going on. The only limits are your budget and creativity (of course, tastefulness is always a consideration too).
So, what are the hottest graphic pattern trends in interior decorating?
1. Geometrics
Image: West Elm
Geometric design patterns and prints are nothing new, but they will continue to dominate the home decor realm for the rest of 2013. Repeat patterns featuring chevrons, triangles, circles, polyhedrons and hexagons are especially on trend. Go bold and use this trend on your walls or on the floor via a rug or even painted floor or experiment with something as simple as accent pillows or a throw blanket.
2. Stripes
Image: Potterybarn.com
Stripes are also very on trend in interior decorating, whether they are thick or thin, colorful or monochromatic, vertical or horizontal. Stripes are a great pattern to utilize for pattern mixing to add visual interest. Mix horizontal and vertical stripes, mix and match polka dots and stripes or even mix stripes and another trend like geomatics or bird or other animal patterns (see below).
3. Animal Prints
Image: Julia Rothman
Animals enough to fill a forest (or populate an African Savannah) are all over the home decor world this year. Popular creatures include leopards, tigers and zebras, birds, elephants and dogs. They’re popping up in new colors like neutrals or rich fall colors and repeating patterns of leaping, walking, hopping critters are perfectly on point.
4. Natural Elements
Image: Ferm Living
Natural pattern elements like faux bois (fake wood), feather and botanicals are making the rounds; again, don’t be afraid to use these patterns for all aspects of your home decor from walls and floors to furniture and accents—and mix and match them.
5. Florals
Image: Pier 1 Imports
Floral patterns for 2013-2014 are fresh and invigorating. Monochromatic and colorful patterns are both popular, but florals on white backgrounds aren’t. Don’t be afraid to use flower patterns from wallpaper and furniture upholstery to rugs and bedding. The key to using florals is to not overdo it and to mix them with color accents or even other patterns.
Related on Ecosalon:
How To Wear It: Pattern Mixing