Pattern clashing bedroom ideas that are bold, intentional and anything but boring

Clashing patterns are all the rage in interior design. And now, this over-the-top trend is coming to a bedroom near you.

After years of neutrals reigning supreme in bedroom design, it seems that homeowners are now swapping minimalism for something much more adventurous. Enter: pattern clashing.

This refreshing maximalist technique is sweeping across the nation, leaving no stone unturned and no surface unpatterned – with a striped bed here and a splash of leopard print there.

But make no mistake, pattern clashing isn’t accidental; it’s a precise art. When done right, mix-and-match patterns can make any room look extremely put-together and chic.

In this guide, we’ll demystify the most common pattern clashing misconceptions and share how to mix prints confidently. Discover how to introduce clashing patterns in bedroom design so you can wake up in a bold and beautiful explosion of prints.

Put simply, pattern clashing is all about taking two or more contrasting (or ‘clashing’) patterns and making them work cohesively in one design. We love layering patterns in bedroom design because it creates a bold, visually interesting look, sparking joy as you step through your bedroom door. And who doesn’t want that every night of the week?

“For me, patterns are a bit like music in a room, they can be subtle background notes or the main melody.”

Sophie Conran, Dreams’ design partner

As our design partner Sophie Conran points out, patterns can be played up or down in a space, just like music. In this case, we’re looking for the whole melody – with a full, live orchestra!

So, how can you bring pattern clashing to your bedroom design without things looking too chaotic? Follow these five rules, and it won’t go wrong:

1. Vary the scale

The key to nailing pattern clashing is being intentional with your prints. An easy way to pick the right patterns is by mixing up the size and scales. Try pairing larger botanical prints with tiny ditsy florals, or contrast thick stripes with elegant pinstripes. This helps to break up the prints, bringing visual interest, and changing the ambience from chaotic to charming.

2. Mix pattern types

Can’t decide between stripes and florals? Choose both! The best thing about clashing patterns is that nothing is off the table, so you can layer as many prints as you wish. You could also try mixing different textured patterns, with heavy-duty brocade curtains or a fluffy Berber rug, featuring its signature criss-cross design.

Some duos just complement each other so well. For instance, florals and gingham go hand-in-hand for a sweet, cottagecore sleep sanctuary, whilst tartan and leopard print are a match made in heaven for creating a fabulous, fashionista bedroom that Vivienne Westwood herself would approve of. Diva alert!

3. Stick to a consistent colour family

As we’ve established, good pattern clashing must be intentional, rather than accidental. A key element of this is colour. Before you start designing, consider what colours you’d like to see in your bedroom design.

One simple route to creating a more subtle pattern clash (if there’s such a thing!) is by sticking to the same colour family. This could be varying shades of green, pink, blue, or whatever you fancy.

For example, a bedroom full of blue patterns may feature a light blue floral wallpaper, a navy blue striped bed (like our striking Celeste bed), dressed in cornflower gingham bed sheets. Whilst this room still features three different patterns, the tonal colours make everything feel softer and more subtle.

Get the look: Sophie Conran Celeste Bed in marine stripe

4. Anchor with a neutral

To ensure your patterned bedroom isn’t too overwhelming, break up your prints with a calming neutral tone. This could be as simple as dressing your bed with crisp white cotton bed sheets or adding a plain beige rug in the centre of your room. A break between the drama helps to really anchor the space and avoids overcrowding too many patterns.

5. Know when to stop

The important rule when it comes to pattern clashing is knowing when to stop. After all, it’s easy to get carried away when you’ve thrown out the rule book. With a little preparation, you can remain in control of your designs. So, make sure to be thoughtful and take your time when choosing your clashing patterns.

Let’s put these pattern-clashing rules into practice. Here are some easy ways to introduce mix-and-matched patterns into your bedroom design…

Bedding

Arguably, the easiest way to switch up your bedroom design is through your bedding. Particularly if you want to test out a bold new look, changing up your bed sheets is a fabulous technique. We love bright bedding with enchanting florals and geometric prints like checks, gingham and stripes.

@gabbicows I’m in awe 🎀🙂‍↕️ #beddingset #bedroomdecor #beddingcollection #apartmenttherapy ♬ Alice in Wonderland – Joanna Wang

We’ve seen a huge trend lately for mix-and-matched bedding, with people sharing their unique bedding rotations on TikTok. The idea is simple: Invest in 2-3 different patterned bed sheet sets and mix up the pillowcases with the duvet covers for endless looks.

Headboard

If you like to live life on the wild side, why not opt for an animal print headboard like our TheraPur® Laurel Headboard? Available in your choice of leopard or zebra print, this piece is sure to bring some character to your bedroom. Choose a divan bed base in a neutral tone and mix-and-match your headboard, or go all-out with a matching printed divan bed base.

Discover our fabulous range of animal print designs.

Wallpaper

Fancy making a statement? Go big and dress your walls in a vibrant, patterned wallpaper. There are so many beautiful wallpaper options to choose from, be it florals, damask, botanicals, or stripes – or even an all-out mural! Starting with a patterned wallpaper makes for a fantastic foundation for gradually building layers.

Or, if you’re feeling a little apprehensive about plastering all four walls in a bold print, you could always play it a little safer and start with a feature wall…

Curtains

Don’t forget about your windows! If you’re bored of bland blinds, why not replace them with some eccentric, patterned curtains that make you smile when you draw them back each morning? We love vintage curtains with antique-style tassel tiebacks in the bedroom for adding old-school charm.

You can also invest in unique curtain tie holders to add even more maximalist touches to your sleep space. Bonus points if you match your curtains to another surface in your room! Coordination is key, after all.

Cushions and throws

It’s all in the finer details! Accessories like scatter cushions, blankets and throws are ideal for subtly introducing extra patterns around your bedroom to help make the whole space feel balanced. You can also move these pieces around, such as taking a throw from your bed and draping it over an armchair, until you’re happy with the overall composition of your room. Our best advice is to play around with your decor and have fun with it!

Starting a project like this can feel a little daunting. If you can get hold of some swatches for your chosen prints, we’d recommend pinning them up next to each other so you can get used to what your bedroom will look like – and make any necessary adjustments.

Don’t let bedroom pattern clashing become a headache! With these easy-to-follow rules and inspiration, you can create a bold, pattern-on-pattern bedroom that looks stylish, intentional, and anything but boring. What are you waiting for? Take the leap and design a patterntastic bedroom design today!