1. Play with Cottagecore

After the cottagecore movement and its cozy, layered spaces took the design sphere by storm, it’s no surprise we find ourselves ditching beige and white sofas for botanicals that once felt daring but now feel just right.

“The cottagecore movement in general has helped fuel that shift because it celebrates collections, cozy decorating, pattern, color and choosing things because they make you happy,” says Joyner. “Even outside of traditional cottage-style homes, we’re seeing floral upholstery incorporated into transitional and contemporary interiors because it adds softness and visual interest without feeling too formal.”

A floral sofa instantly becomes a focal point and can communicate far more personality than a solid fabric ever could.

— GREY JOYNER

2. Consider Shape and Color

Florals can feel daunting simply for how they play with an existing palette. Prudence suggests pulling one or two colors from your floral pattern and incorporating them into your space to create an intentional feel that doesn’t start veering into matchy-matchy territory.

From there, consider the shape of the upholstered piece. “A floral on a cleaner silhouette feels very current, while the same fabric on something too ornate can start to feel dated,” she says. “It’s really about the mix: a little softness, a little structure, and enough contrast, so the room still feels fresh.”

Heather Ison

3. Choose Your Florals Carefully

Color should be considered even before pattern, says Joyner, and scale matters. Look to large-scale florals for a more modern feel, and opt for smaller-scale florals when you want a more traditional tone. But getting these pillars of pattern squared away is only part of the equation.

“My number one rule is don’t buy it unless it makes you feel something,” says Napier. “Trust your gut the way you would with a painting. If it makes you feel something the moment you see it, that’s the one.”

4. Mix Florals with Other Patterns

“Mixing florals with stripes, checks or textured plains can add sophistication and prevent a room from feeling overly coordinated,” says Ashmore. The design expert often advises home decorators to keep their florals in a more statement-making role, rather than as part of a theme.

Think a single sofa, armchair, or ottoman, paired with contemporary elements and modern silhouettes throughout the space. “One of the most interesting developments is that florals are no longer confined to traditionally feminine interiors; today they are being embraced in richly layered, eclectic spaces that feel timeless, expressive and deeply individual,” she says.