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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sam Wylie-Harris

9 ways to style playful prints and patterns

With an eye for colour and pattern, taking inspiration from fabric swatches can be a great launch pad for mini makeovers and home décor updates – not to mention the trend for bold prints and shapes.

And with a colourful selection of eye-catching ornaments, graphic posters and vivid designs influencing the fashion, it couldn’t be easier to maximise those snippets of cloth in your own space.

With a lasting aesthetic appeal, these must-have accents make a brilliant foundation for layering and lending visual interest…

1. Retro Maximalist Floral Wallpaper, Spencer, £79 per roll, Bobbi Beck

(Bobbi Beck/PA)

Inspired by a spring meadow, creating a feature wall with this retro design brings a ray of sunshine; illuminating a modern rustic or farmhouse kitchen.

2. Ulster Weavers ‘Emmeline’ Printed Cotton Tea Towel, £7, Home Landing

(Home Landing/PA)

A clever kitchen update… this fetching tea towel is inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement with its stylised florals and foliage – and can double up as a wall hanging if you feel it’s too decorative for drying dishes.

3. Cordelia Breeze Roller Blind, from £16.44 (was £23.49), English Blinds

(English Blinds/PA)

An interior designer’s secret weapon for giving your windows some wow factor… a statement blind can really elevate your outlook with some surprise colour, and scope of pinky purple shades.

4. Beatrice Luxe Palm Velvet Snuggle Chair, £399; Embroidered Swan Cushion, £20, Dunelm

(Dunelm/PA)

Capturing all those cosy, comfy vibes with plenty of room for movement, sinking into this snuggle chair is like giving yourself a great big hug. Moreover, the graceful swan cushion with fringed border perfectly complements the plush, palm print for maximum impact.

5. Lucy Tiffney Glass Table Lamp, £75, Next – available beginning of March

(Next/PA)

Top of our wish list, this whimsy table lamp ticks all the pretty print boxes with its sunny striped shade and abstract florals.

6. Quirky Bloom Polenta Made-to-Measure Rug with a Dolly Mixture Vibrant Teal Whipped Edge, from £511, Alternative Flooring

(Alternative Flooring/PA)

Decorative carpeting makes a fanciful feature, and this daisy design is bang up to date. Balance the pink disc with a sofa in a co-ordinating block colour – and then brave some leopard print accents for a cohesive, sassy scheme. Designed by Kate Watson-Smyth and made from British wool.

7. George Lucky Charm Diamond Cushion, £12 (left); Lilac & White Flower Checkerboard Cushion, £12 (centre); Green Oblong Checkerboard Scallop Edge Cushion, £12 (right), rest of items from a selection, Direct.asda

(Direct.asda/PA)

Some might say more scatter cushions the better… and George Home have you backed with these perky prints.

8. Desenio Art Prints: Aarhus Graphic Shapes Print, (centre) from £10.95; La Poire – Pear Coat, from £10.95, (bottom right), rest of items from a selection, Desenio

(Desenio/PA)

Creating a gallery wall with inspiring illustrations, striking shapes and motivating messages sets the tone for an entire space… especially when all the elements collide beautifully, and a joy to behold.

9. Zahra Orange Floral Ceramic Vase, £35; Blue Bird Ceramic Vase, £29.50, rest of items from a selection, Oliver Bonas

(Oliver Bonas/PA)

Pottery is having a moment in the sun with bold patterns and colours vying for our attention. Fill these cute ceramic vases with daffodils and fiery tulips for a showy feature.

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