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Brilliant Ideas for Adding Graphic Pattern to Any Room

By: Amanda Lecky
February 19, 2018
If you love the look of bold pattern but worry about commitment here’s a secret: Stick with a neutral color palette, like classic black and white, and simple geometrics, and you’ll find yourself loving the timeless style.
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Photo: Tracey Ayton

Keep it Neutral

To give a modern bedroom a warm and cozy look, designers Jamie Hamilton and Greer Nelson of Oliver Simon Design created a feature wall with a hexagon-patterned wallpaper from Cole & Sons, in a soft taupe colorway. "Wallpaper isn’t as easy to change as, say, a throw pillow or even bedding, so keeping it neutral in color is a good way to make sure it stands the test of time," advises Hamilton.

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Photo: Ken Vaughan

Create Balance

For a master bath that’s at once luxurious and serene, designer Jenifer Wiley of J Wiley Designs paired a neutral color scheme and fixtures with clean, modern lines with a show-stopping chevron pattern on the floor. "Bold pattern against a subtle backdrop creates drama and visual tension that make the room both an exciting and relaxing retreat for the client. When using vibrant color or pattern in a space, be sure to balance the room with soft details so the room doesn’t become overbearing," says Wiley.

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Photo: Jason Miller, Pixelate LTD. From: House of L.

Add Splash to the Backsplash

Backsplash tile is one of the best opportunities to give your kitchen designer flair. Here, the team at the House of L chose tile with a simple, graphic pattern to add energy to a sleek space. The subtle, neutral color of the tile keeps the emphasis on the rich wood tone of the base cabinets.

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Photo: Regan Wood. From: Allison Lind.

Go Big

It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes the best solution for a tight space is a bold design move, like a strong color or a high-contrast pattern. In this narrow hallway designer Allison Lind of LindHesse took the latter approach, choosing a graphic black and white wall covering to make a dramatic impact that visually expands the space.

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