The same pattern in contrasting colors can be used to great effect.

• Distribute patterns throughout a room to avoid a cluttered look. Combined patterns need space, and we sometimes need a rest from them.
  
  
• A mix of scaled patterns can be wonderfully pleasing; take a larger damask pattern and mix it with other patterns with small repeats and they will be able to support each other.
  
  
• If you are mixing patterns in adjoining rooms, it’s important to have a common thread -- a color or a weave -- that connects them in some way.
  
  
• When a stripe is the dominant pattern in a room, don’t use another stripe. And stay away from wide stripes unless you have strong architectural details to support them.
  
  
• Use large-patterned wallpaper sparingly. Create an accent wall with it and paint the rest of the room.
  
  
• A strong-patterned rug can be attractive, but it may be difficult to choose patterns that work with it. Consider choosing an array of solid textured fabrics instead. .

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