Something exciting is happening in the world of tablescapes, and it is impacting everything from intimate dinner parties to larger celebrations and events. People are moving away from Pinterest Perfection, opting instead to create something that is unique and personal. People are embracing looks that feel collected, whimsical, and a little bit unexpected. And all of this has opened the door for my favorite way to approach a table - pattern mixing!

Pattern mixing isn’t new. It’s been a part of various home decor aesthetics forever. But what we are starting to see is people approaching pattern mixing in a bolder, more carefree way. If you want to try your hand at it but aren’t sure where to start, here’s a few tips to help you along the way.

The goal isn’t to try and make everything match. The goal is to make it look like it belongs together. One of the easiest ways to do this is through color. Create a color story and let that be your anchor. Even if you have completely different patterns, if they pull from the same palette, they will feel surprisingly cohesive.

Another thing to keep in mind is to vary the scale of different prints so that they are not competing with one another. Perhaps a delicate small floral paired with a bold stripe or larger check. To keep the mix of patterns from feeling too busy, give the eye somewhere to rest by incorporating solid elements. A solid charger, a solid placemat layer, a solid color napkin…makes a stronger statement amongst the patterns.

If you aren’t sure where to start, pick one pattern that you really love, maybe a patterned tablecloth or a beautiful plate and build from there. Pull one or two colors from that first pattern and let that guide the rest of the table.

At the end of the day, there are no real rules for mixing patterns - these are simply tips to help get you started. Don’t overthink it. Have fun, trust your eye, and let your tablescape reflect your personality.