Determine the undertones in whatever colors you use. Do they tend toward yellows or pinks or greens or greys? When in doubt, match your colors to a paint chip and ask at the paint store what the undertones are. They have the formula and know the pigments that make up the color, so they can identify the undertones for you. Another way to be sure your patterns talk to each other, and don't take over the room, is to base your patterns on a single color.
Mix a variety of sized patterns with one another. This kind of mixing creates a finished and stylish look. Mix angular geometrics with curvy florals, mix ombre, ikat, ethnic, and batik prints with crisp modern designs. These kinds of mixes delight the eye and bring a room to life. Spread your patterned pieces around the room, as well. If all your patterns are on pillows clustered on one couch and the rest of the room is showing solid colors, there's an imbalance. Pattern placement keeps the eye moving, and that's what you want. Carry swatches of fabric and paint chips with you when you are staging the home. The mind does not remember colors the way it does numbers and facts. Fabrics really need to be seen in 3-D next to each other for you to judge their likeability.
Limit your pattern selections and color choices to three. Sounds boring? Sure. Looks boring? Not necessarily! An uncluttered home looks new and clean. Remember that you can repeat the patterns in more than one place. A striped panel in the draperies can be repeated on a table runner. That's not matchy-matchy, that's just cross pollination. One strategy to make a room look more intentionally designed than thrown together is to use similar or identical trims on upholstered pieces, window treatments, lamp shades, pillows, and other accessories. Your trim could be something like white cording, a fuzzy fringe, colorful rick rack, gold braiding or patterned ribbon. Tone down the size of bold contrast patterns. This one trick will help keep your rooms looking comfortable and tasteful. If you're staging a really large room, you'll need some large textile designs, but they can be composed of subtle color variations.
