Decorate with pattern

Brighten up your living space and be colour confident with these style tips

If wallpapering your walls is too much of a commitment for you, go for patterned accessories, such as cushions, throws, artwork and rugs instead that you easily swap and change.

For a quick and easy way to update a room, simply paint a wall in one bold colour. Use tester pots first to check if the colour suits the room and remember, it’s just paint – it can always be changed.

If you’re mixing different patterns in the same space, stick to just two or three colours to avoid the look becoming too overwhelming.

When wallpapering one feature wall in a bold pattern, pick out one of the colours featured to paint the remaining walls to create a cohesive scheme, or add accessories using similar shades.

Use large-scale pattens to make a small room feel bigger. Stripes used horizontally, for example, can make the room feel wider and vertical stripes will make a room feel taller. Mix different sizes of pattern, too, as this will add depth and interest.

Think about what tones go together. Clashing colours can be great, but if you want big blocks of colour, team them with neutral shades to give your eyes a break.