The Unexpected Hack That Helps Make Color And Pattern Cohesive

When diving into maximalist decor or even just embracing a more vibrant design scheme, the potential for mixing hues, textures, and patterns are endless. This approach is a great way to build a space that feels dynamic and full of personality, but it's not always as simple as throwing various pieces together to create an effortlessly stylish look. While creative use of color and pattern allows for a certain freedom, sometimes it's the more thoughtful details that bring the look to life. There tends to be a fine line between designs with bold, expressive character and those that look haphazard and undefined. That said, some professional designers will use a specific hack to help make the balance of color and pattern feel more cohesive — pairing unique trims like piping, fringe, and ruffles.

It may seem counterintuitive to pair such different trims in order to build cohesion, but these details can give your space a common theme that grounds the design. Home decor trends have recently veered away from the stark, minimalist designs of the past decade, favoring a "more is more" mentality to create inspiring, rich interiors. This simple hack can be a great way to embrace the latest trends while bringing together your favorite patterns and palettes in a way that feels intentional and stylish. Once you understand this expert approach, you'll realize just how many ways there are to incorporate it throughout your space.

In rooms that lean into bold colors and expressive patterns, it can often be tricky to find cohesion among the different elements. However, some experienced interior designers encourage the use of decorative trims, which can add an exciting layer to the design. Think of it like building the perfect gallery wall — frames are an essential aspect, but if you're going for a bold look that highlights various colors and patterns, it makes sense to use frames in various textures, colors, and sizes. Similarly, trims like tassels, fringe, and ruffles are a great tool for highlighting the color and pattern choices in your design while also providing an essential way to tie the look together through a shared element.

These trims can also introduce a sense of contrast that is much needed to define and unite your design. Contrasting details are what can take a pile of scattered decor and transform it into a chic, mindful design choice. Every color and pattern deserves its chance to shine, and adding trims like velvety fringe or vibrant piping can highlight them so they don't get lost among a sea of mixed decor pieces. These trims also bring texture into your space, which is a much needed layer of design that's necessary in order to bring a cohesive sense of character into your home. A ruffled trim, for instance, can add a layer of dimension to a design that may otherwise feel flat despite its colorful pattern.

These decorative trims can be used in a variety of ways to elevate and connect your design scheme. Window treatments are a wonderful place to play around with some more expressive trim. You can use fringe tassels to tie back patterned curtains or add a stylish fringe lamp by some ruffled drapes. If you have a cozy reading nook by your windows, consider adding a fringe trim to your armchair and completing the look with a small throw pillow that uses some colorful piping. These trims can give ordinary colors and patterns a bespoke style that becomes a cohesive element of your overall design.

One of the easiest ways to experiment with this approach is through throw pillow combinations — a mix of cushions that each incorporate a fringe, ruffle, and piping adds visual interest while creating an exciting theme throughout your combination. Another option might be to go for a colorful sofa with a fringe trim and piping, and decorate it using patterned pillows with a ruffled edge. If you're working with two pillows with standout patterns and trim, adding a solid color pillow that contrasts the patterns can help solidify the look and make it feel coordinated, rather than cluttered. In the bedroom, you can choose a vibrant fabric headboard with contrast piping, and complement the look with ruffled bedding and patterned pillows — it's often the coziest interiors that offer more ways to experiment with these exciting trims.