Creating a Mood with Pattern

How many times have you walked into a furniture store or a beautifully decorated home and admired the upholstered furniture? Then you think in the back of your mind, “how can I ever afford a look like this?” The answer, of course, is with a slipcover.
Gone are the days when slipcovers came in 3-4 colors, there was only one style to choose from (and you had to use that style for everything – sofa, loveseat, chair, recliner, dining room chairs, etc.), and the patterns were all identical. Your slipcover pattern choices are now endless.
Below are some suggestions, but let your mind consider this as simply a “jumping off” point for finding a pattern that creates the mood you really want.
If you’re really after a TRADITIONAL look, slipcover patterns with either a floral motif or repeat pattern work best. This allows the slipcover to sit subtly in the background and not distract from the other items in their surroundings.

A CASUAL room will call to you from afar and say, “come on in and sit a while.” Thus, the slipcover patterns you choose should have that inviting charm. Something not too ‘formal’ looking, but rather interesting, and that becomes an adventure for the eye to see.

ANIMAL themes are very popular these days, and can be found throughout a home in the living room, den, bedroom, or sunroom/porch. The common factor when decorating for this theme is using a slipcover pattern that is a mimic of nature – e.g., the spots of a leopard, the “simulated” stripes of a zebra, the diamond on a giraffe, or the butterfly effect that conveys movement.

Since CONTEMPORARY/RETRO has made a re-surgence, slipcovers in faux leather or suede are very cool. Or perhaps you want a unique pattern with that “abstract art” look.

Here are a few other ideas for how to work with a patterned slipcover:

Plaid will make a bold statement in any room. With a slipcover pattern like this, you can open up a world of moods to create with it. Use it with dark paint colors for that “English” pub look. Or, choose the light colors and create a striking contemporary look.

Using a slipcover pattern with an obvious straight line gives the visual impression of either width or height – depending on the direction of the pattern. If the pattern is horizontal, decorate around it using vertical items such as lamps and tall plants. If the pattern is vertical, place things at the midpoint around the room – close to where the average person’s waist will be. In both instances, you’ll be creating a sense of balance.

The possibilities are endless considering the large number of slipcover patterns available today. When making your selection, just look at the pattern and see what mood it brings to mind. Then, choose the color based upon your current décor and you’re off and running towards a whole new look and feel for your special space.