Unlike plains that recede, patterns insist on conversations. In a room stuck in monochrome, monotone lingo, patterns are the conversationalists. And on patterned curtains, these shapely motifs project tempers of their own. A sprigged floral curtain brings tenderness to a breakfast nook; a rigorous stripe lends visual poise and gravitas to a study; a rustic toile or chinoiserie sets a room spinning with narrative. 

But patterns are a tightrope act. Handled with care, patterned curtains elevate, harmonise, and tell stories. Misjudged, they tip into clutter—becoming more noise than music. The art lies in choosing the right motif for the right mood, and letting the print converse, not compete, with what’s around it. To that end, our stylists share a few cues and tips below for striking that balance, so your room ends up looking curated, not caffeinated!

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Choose the Right Motif for the Right Mood

Patterns, like guests at a party, shine brightest when they’re in the right company. The chintz floral that feels enchanting in a rustic kitchen may look insipid against the bold lines of a modern loft. A toile that feels aristocratic in a Georgian dining room can feel oddly fussy in a pared-back, industrial space. The secret is simple: let the architecture and furnishings set the rhythm, and choose a patterned drape that joins the dance rather than steps on toes.

In traditional interiors, you have room for grandeur. Here, regal damask drapes in velvet fabrics and gilded tones can lead the choir of your decor. For modern or minimalist interiors, where solids and straight lines often dominate, geometrics come into their own. Stripes, checks, chevrons and abstract prints can lend visual oomph without disrupting the clean aesthetic. Cottages and country homes welcome gentler motifs like sprigs of flowers, vines, checks or ticking stripes. These prints carry the easy domesticity of kitchens warmed by terracotta tiles and parlours softened with slipcovered sofas. 

Bottom line? Match the vibe. When the print vibes with the room instead of wrestling with it, everything feels intentional. When the print echoes the room’s mood and architecture, your patterned curtains stop being decor and start becoming part of an orchestration.

Select Scale with Forethought

The scale of the motifs on your drapes decides whether they sing in harmony or strike a discordant note. Scale and size of the pattern should be weighed against the size of the room, the proportions of the window, and the role you intend for your curtains: to command attention or to blend quietly.

In a grand room, small prints can read as soft texture rather than visual punctuation, and that may be exactly what you want. When the aim is subtlety, dainty florals or fine geometrics melt beautifully into the backdrop, creating atmosphere without demanding attention. If, however, you want your drapery to make a statement, this is where bold florals, sweeping scenics and generous repeats truly come alive, filling the vertical expanse with confidence.

In a petite room, oversized motifs can often feel a little over-eager, but again, it depends on intention. A single large-scale pattern can add drama and personality to a small space, while medium-scale prints offer balance without overwhelming.

If your aim is drama, let scale and contrast work together. Larger motifs in striking palettes as seen in Oshino Hakkai pull the eye and declare themselves as a focal point. But when your curtains are meant to play supporting cast, choose small to mid-scale motifs in softer contrasts like Belladona Lily, letting other elements take center stage.

Decide Between Design Layouts

The layout of a pattern can be densely packed with minimal negative space between motifs, like in Jocelyn, or sparsely scattered with resting visual points between the motifs, as in fabrics like Raisin Torte. Both these layouts have a unique visual presence and strike entirely different chords in the symphony of your rooms. 

A dense all-over layout, where motifs are repeated closely across the fabric, creates an even spread. The eye sees the curtain as a whole surface, so the impact comes more from the overall colour and theme than from individual motifs. A sparse, ‘floating-motif’ layout, on the other hand, leaves space between motifs. This open ground draws attention to each motif, making every scroll, stripe or medallion more noticeable.

Depending on their palette and scale, both layouts can feel too bustling or just right. Evaluate their suitability to your space in relation to the size of the room and the overall feel you are aiming for. But as a general rule, if you’d like individual motifs to steal the show, go for sparse, island-style pattern layouts. Conversely, if you’d like the pattern and curtain as a whole to be the star, put your trust in densely packed, all-over patterns.   

Expand the Space Optically With Clever Patterns

Patterns aren’t just decorative; they are strategic. The right motif can visually stretch a low ceiling or widen a narrow room. With intentionally chosen patterns, you don’t just dress a window but use it to reshape the optical scale of the space.  

Vertical stripes or vertically traveling patterns are the classic trick. They draw the eye upward, elongating the windows visually and giving the ceiling a gentle optical lift. If the goal is to widen the space, look to patterns that run horizontally: ticking stripes, bands, or vines that travel side to side. 

In compact spaces, we also recommend sticking to small-scale motifs and a low contrast palette so the senses do not get overwhelmed. Look out for options like Frosted Terrain, Monrovia and Seville that carry the language of softness while performing visual tricks in your space. 

MORE FROM THE STORE: Striped Curtains

Pair with Other Patterns and Plains for Panache

The pattern on your drapes must be able to coexist with the other patterns within the space. And remember, the most intriguing combinations aren’t ‘matchy-matchy’. They come from pairing your drapery with patterns that share the mood, not the motif. The trick is not to throw everything into the ring, but to choreograph a stylish duel.

One way is to contrast motif families: let chinoiserie curtains full of curves and vines share the stage with a geometric rug featuring straight lines and sharp angles, or offset your pinstriped drapes with oversized floral of the sofa upholstery. The interplay of curves and lines keeps the eye engaged.

Another tip is to play with scale. Large-scale prints on your drapes sit beautifully beside small-scale repeats, like a chintz throw and a houndstooth ottoman, so that no single pattern suffocates the room. Finally, think about the color scheme. Different motifs can still play along if they are from the same color family. A navy blue checkered drape can work beautifully with blue floral cushion covers. 

And last but not least, amidst all your patterns, invite plains to the party. Solids give the eye places to rest, the equivalent of white space in a well-designed page. A plain fabric sofa between patterned drapes or plain accent pillows among busier upholstery gives the eye a place to land. Think of plains as the steady bassline that lets your patterns riff without spiraling into chaos.

When mixed with a clear strategy, these “arguments” between patterns don’t feel chaotic; they feel like design with a wink. And with the tips and ideas our stylists just spilled, you can easily work with any set of curvy and straight-edged patterns. 

To Sew It All Up

Patterns are not wallflowers; they carry voices, moods, and even tempers. When dressed as curtains, they command attention simply by virtue of scale. The key is deciding what role you want your patterned curtains to play: the harmoniser that ties the palette together, the soloist that steals the show, or the provocateur that adds panache by sparring with other prints.

Whatever your vision, our collection of over a thousand patterned curtains and printed drapes has options galore to match it. Plus, with free samples and shipping, we are that store buddy who makes shopping feel like therapy. So, go right ahead, mate; shop away!