Mixing Prints (and Getting It Right): The Ultimate Trick for a Stylish, Personality-Filled Home

If there’s one thing that truly transforms an interior, it’s the smart use of textiles. Mixing prints, layering fabrics, and working in depth isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s what brings dimension, warmth, and a sense of a lived-in space. In contrast to flat or overly uniform interiors, well-executed combinations create dynamism and ensure every corner feels interesting. The key lies in striking a balance between variety and cohesion, something that becomes much easier when working with collections designed as a whole, such as National Trust Volume II by Sanderson, distributed in Spain by Gancedo. Here, every design stems from the same inspiration and naturally complements the others.

The Unwritten Rule That Changes Everything

Before diving into mixing, it’s important to understand that it’s not about combining randomly, but about creating harmony within variety. The secret is to maintain a common thread—whether through a color palette, a style, or even a shared inspiration. This is where collections like National Trust Volume II by Sanderson come into play: all designs are rooted in the same world—the landscapes, orchards, and historic gardens of Brockhampton—making it easy for different prints to coexist without clashing. Florals, birds, stripes, and pastoral scenes all “speak” to each other because they share a common soul. In practical terms: if you choose fabrics from the same aesthetic family, the result will always feel cohesive.

In the setting shown above, the curtains are made with the Marrienne design, while the armchair cover features the Partridge & Pear pattern.

The Living Room Calls for Layers

The living room is the perfect testing ground for experimenting with combinations. Curtains, upholstery, poufs, or even dressed tables offer countless opportunities to introduce texture and pattern. A great approach is to pair one statement print with more subtle supporting designs. For instance, a fabric like Paradise Woods—with its birds and climbing branches in a classic style—creates an ideal base for sofa upholstery. In this case, it has also been paired on the skirt with Cobnut Stripe (a wide vertical stripe alongside delicately embroidered climbing branches), a design that works beautifully with the Brockhampton Estate curtains. As a counterpoint, the striped Lutley Stripe fabric dresses the coffee table. The trick? Vary the scale: one large pattern, one medium, and one small. This avoids the “everything competing” effect and creates a balanced, lived-in look.

A Brilliant Way to Update Seating

If you want to take things up a notch, try combining two different upholsteries on a single piece. Yes, really. An armchair with one print on the backrest and another on the seat is not only on trend, but also adds a sophisticated and highly personal touch. The key is ensuring both fabrics share something—whether a color or inspiration—so the contrast feels intentional rather than chaotic. Imagine a striped cotton like Barneby Stripe paired with an embroidered floral like Habington. The result is dynamic, elegant, and completely unique.

In the Bedroom

In this space, mixing textiles takes on an even more special role, enhancing visual comfort and a sense of retreat. Bedding, curtains, plaids, and even more decorative elements like canopies all come into play.

The key is layering without overwhelming: start with a neutral base and add personality through layers. A print like Cobnut Stripe, rich in natural detail, works perfectly for a bedspread, while softer or more geometric designs can balance the look in cushions or curtains. Sanderson’s collection, inspired by the natural richness of historic orchards and gardens, fits especially well in these spaces, where calm is essential but visual interest is still desired.

Cushions: The Perfect Way to Experiment

If all of this feels like too much, start simple—with cushions. They’re the ideal accessory to experiment without fear and to refresh a room in minutes. Here, you can mix prints, textures, and colors more freely, as long as you follow a simple rule: repeat at least one tone across all of them to maintain cohesion.

Pair florals like Harvest Fruits, with its artisanal embroidered motifs, with stripes, plains, or even more narrative designs.

And remember: mixing fabrics and prints isn’t about strict rules, but about learning to observe and trusting combinations that are already well resolved from the start. Brands like Sanderson have spent decades perfecting that balance between tradition and innovation, offering collections where everything makes sense. And that’s the key: when fabrics tell the same story, the result simply can’t fail.