Stripes move over, I have surprised myself by deciding to decorate with dots instead – and designers agree they can be far more sophisticated than you might think

Dots have a bit of a reputation for being a very playful pattern. You'll often find them on the wallpaper of children's bedrooms or used as a 'bold' feature wall in a not-so-tasteful space. But I have been seeing a whole different side to them as of late, and want to share the examples of how chic and grown-up decorating with dots can, in fact, be.

Interior design trends are all pointing towards more eclectic styles, and decorating with pattern is a big part of that. And while stripes might dominate in your mind as the most classic of patterns, plenty of designers have been using dots to create on-trend yet timeless spaces.

It's also up to you how much you want to commit to the look, too. You can go full dot drenching with a wallpaper over all five walls (ceiling included), or you can add accents to any room with accessories.

To show you all how versatile dots can be, I spoke with interior designers who have all featured dots in their projects. They share their favorite ways to incorporate this pattern trend into the home to create a truly one-of-a-kind interior.

1. Incorporate dots with your accessories

You might consider dots an outdated pattern, however, let me persuade you otherwise and prove that there is a subtle yet sophisticated way of decorating with dots. The simplest, most low-commitment way is using the print on a smaller decor like a cushion, rug, or lampshade that will bring character into your scheme without paying homage to the polka dot too literally.

Interior designer Liz Levin says, 'I like incorporating dots in smaller upholstery pieces like an ottoman, a dining chair seat, or even a lampshade. It's a way to bring in a pattern without it feeling overwhelming. Dots are great for creating movement in a room, and when done right, they walk that perfect line between fun and refined.'

And it's not just the obvious places that polka dot furnishings pair well in. Adding pattern to a kitchen is often overlooked, but can bring warmth and personality into a sometimes clinical space. Whether you're opting for a polka print cushion cover for your bar stools or covering your breakfast table in a classic dot pattern tablecloth, these easy touches can uplift your space while nodding to the heritage look.

2. Hand paint your dots for a more organic too

There's no denying that dots can be quite intense, but one way many designers and brands soften the look is to hand-paint the design so it looks less static and 2D, and you get some texture and depth.

Take this entryway wall mural, for example, designed by Charles Krewson and hand-painted by decorative painter Steven Hammel, the polka dot mural is the perfect backdrop to the more traditional furniture and vintage decor, blurring the line between the antique and the modern.

Charles says, 'When I moved from New York to Washington, I wanted something that would make me happy the moment I opened my door. Green is my favorite color, so I had already had the walls painted when I hired Steven to come down and do decorative effects in my apartment. I wanted dots, and Steven agreed. He made a template using a dinner plate and chose the shade of blue. We did the spacing to mask the ceiling beams.'

3. Use wallpaper to drench your walls in dots

One of the most classic ways of decorating with dots is by embracing playful wallpaper ideas.

Liz Levin says, 'One of my favorite ways to work with dots is through wallpaper – they’re fantastic in a foyer to set the tone, on a ceiling for a wow moment, or behind built-ins to add visual depth without stealing the show. Dots in wallpaper can feel almost like confetti – joyful, a little celebratory, and they make a beautiful backdrop for a gallery wall or statement art.'

While adding polka dot wallpaper to a traditional living room may sound a little scary, the beauty of the print is its variety. A fine, ditsy-style dot might be just what your space needs, highlighting an interesting architectural point like a window or doorframe.

However, if the whimsical decor trend has caught your eye and your style centers more on the bold, try the pattern trenching trend by incorporating a daring, large-scale polka dot wallpaper that playfully transforms your plain walls into a statement.

4. Layer dotted accessories with other prints

When executed poorly, mixing patterns in a room can feel awkward; however, pairing polka dots and other patterns side-by-side can work if you know what you are doing and how much of each pattern to bring in.

Pattern on pattern is a classic way of bringing character into the home. Pair polka dot furnishings and decor with other iconic prints (stripes, gingham, or herringbone) to create an interesting, distinctive display of pattern, reimagining a once plain room into an inviting space that nods to your style as a decorator.

Mary Kathryn Wells is a lover of whimsical decor and has long been using dots. She explains, 'It’s always good to mix different types and scales of patterns together – so if you’re doing a small dot on a sofa or on a throw pillow, you might do a big stripe or large-scale botanical on another piece alongside it. Or vice versa – a large scale dot pattern alongside a smaller floral. Or get really dot-wild and mix giant-sized polka dots with little dots for a supremely playful combination.'

5. Create a statement with polka print upholstery

Furniture trends are undoubtedly favoring more artisanal, vintage styles. To channel the latest fashion, a polka dot printed piece of furniture might be just what your living room or bedroom idea is missing.

Recent sofa trends have featured bold prints, and designers have argued that now is the time to buy a patterned couch. Add dots don't have to be crazy bold, even if you like a more subtle look, a couch in a muted dotted pattern like the one above isn't going to overwhelm your space it will just add more interest at the heart of your living room.

Or, if you're looking to invite some excitement into your communal space without going overboard, a little accent chair or bench nods to the vintage furniture trend while giving a space a small punch of print.

6. Add subtler dotted designs to your scheme

If you want to feature polka dots on your walls without having to commit to a daring mural, fear not, as plenty of stylish wallpapers incorporate the print more subtly.

Referring to the country wallpaper idea pictured above, Chloe Vince, Senior Decorating Consultant at House of Hackney, says, 'We often see the use of stripes in interiors, but the use of polka dots is more unexpected. When we think of polka dots, we often think of playful, retro vibes, but polka dots can still bring a level of sophistication to a scheme.'

Bringing a sense of grandeur and playfulness, the Phantasia Taupe wallpaper is the perfect example of sophisticated polka dots that honor the classic print in a less obvious way. With more and more designers reimagining the iconic dot pattern, it might just be a vintage print making a comeback.

Chloe adds, 'Fantastical floral wonderland of mythical beasts nestled amongst clouds of colour, flowers and toadstools, painting the motif in subtle neutrals and adding a contemporary stripe and chic polka dots. The stripes contained within the stripe provide the perfect visual break and create structure in a tonal scheme.'

7. Decorate with a more sophisticated color palette

When you conjure up polka dot print, you might initially envision a room filled with colors, but dots can send themselves to muted, neutral schemes too.

To pull off the look and ensure the pattern blends into the home, decorating with neutrals or a more sophisticated muted color palette will allow the dots to do the talking while ensuring they don't shout.

Liz says, 'Limit your color palette. Dots tend to have high visual energy, so keeping the colors restrained makes the look feel polished. I often stick to one or two shades that are already in the room. A neutral palette keeps the effect from feeling too juvenile.' But don't be put off if a colorful polka dot wallpaper has caught your eye, there's plenty of room for some color, just ensure your other decor is more low-key to avoid an overly whimsical look.

Cleverly, the designer of this bedroom has chosen dots for the drapes that frame the entrance of the space, allowing the dots to shine without dominating, opting for a muted color scheme of neutrals and pale pinks.

Polka dot print can make all the difference to a lackluster scheme and can be as simple as incorporating a printed cushion on your sofa. So, if this fun yet chic design trend has caught your eye, decorating with stripes is an equally timeless yet on-trend look that introduces pattern into any interior design style.