The meaning of pattern: Abstracts in interior design

From ancient symbols to Bauhaus squiggles and Memphis zigzags – abstract patterns speak in shapes, not words. Here’s why we love them….

Where do you stand on abstract patterns? Do you love them, loathe them, or simply find them baffling? Picasso, surprisingly, was not a fan—he once said: “There is no such thing as abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.”

A bit harsh, perhaps? We’re rather partial to abstract patterns here at Pooky—and many of our customers agree.

There’s more to abstracts than meets the eye, as we discovered when we started exploring their history and how artists, architects, and designers have interpreted and applied the abstract. If you’re unsure about introducing a touch of the abstract into your home, we’ve got some ideas to help.

What is an abstract pattern?

You might think abstract patterns are random – but in fact, creating one can involve serious intent. An abstract pattern consists of colors, forms, lines, or shapes that don’t represent anything observable in the real world. Yet they can powerfully express mood, emotion, ideas, movement, and rhythm—all through visual rather than verbal language.

Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals, for instance, have been known to move viewers to tears.

Abstract patterns are a classic case of form over function – they’re all about expression, not depiction – which explains why they’re so popular in modern, postmodern, and contemporary interior design.

Abstract patterns – when and where?

Cave art, pottery, and textiles from early civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt show us that our prehistoric ancestors weren’t strangers to abstraction. Abstract patterns were used to represent beliefs, the cosmic order, or the natural world.

In Islamic art – where religious restrictions limited figurative imagery – abstract floral patterns and intricate geometric forms became prominent, especially in mosque decoration. These motifs went on to influence interiors across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.

Similarly, Chinese and Japanese interiors often featured—and still feature — abstract representations of natural motifs such as clouds, florals and waves.

The European Renaissance was something of a low point for the abstract – wealthy aristocrats, bankers and burghers preferring ornate realism to pure abstraction. It was not until the Industrial Revolution enabled the mass production of textiles and wallpapers featuring repeat patterns that abstract forms found themselves in favour again. Even when the Arts and Crafts movement mounted its stand against industrialisation, the type of interiors created by William Morris and his contemporaries frequently featured abstract representations of nature.

The big abstract shift

If the 19th century embraced softer abstract forms, 20th century movements such as Cubism, Futurism, the Bauhaus and De Stijl went for bold abstract geometrically inspired shapes, in strong primary colours.

During the Art Deco period, abstract designs — especially those combining geometry with luxurious materials — became mainstream, associated with symmetry, style, and glamour.

In the mid-century, abstract textiles and sculptural furniture were hallmarks of Scandinavian designers like Verner Panton, and design houses like Marimekko. Even minimalists (not known for embracing pattern) sometimes used muted abstract forms in ceramics, wallpaper, or upholstery.

The postmodern period, however, went all-in: exuberant colour, playful graphics, squiggles, dots, and bold shapes. Designers such as Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group, brought abstract pattern firmly into the mainstream, with a wink to Bauhaus and De Stijl roots.

Contemporary abstracts

Today’s designers have access to computer-generated patterns and digital printing techniques that can produce complex abstract patterns for wallpaper, rugs and textiles.

People who love eclectic interiors often mix abstract patterns from different periods — and cultures — to create distinctive, lively and highly individual homes. By contrast, those who are aiming for calm spaces, designed to enhance wellbeing, will often choose bibliophilic and organic abstract patterns, inspired by nature.

The abstract in art and architecture

Artists who have embraced the abstract have, inevitably, influenced interior design, from Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky to Paul Klee, Bridget Riley and Jackson Pollock. The same is true of architects throughout the 20th and into the 21st century – none more so than the late Zaha Hadid, whose fluid, sculptural buildings, interiors, and furniture have helped to transform our ideas about architectural and design possibilities.

Abstract style at Pooky

As we pointed out in this post on our Abstractification collection there are three very good reasons to introduce an expressive, sculptural lamp into your home: they let you make room for abstract art; they create ‘wow’ moments, and they allow you to express yourself!

And lamps do not come more abstract or sculptural than our fabulous Knotty in gold and white marble, which offers a very strong nod in the direction of Dadaist, Jean Arp (1886-1996). Push Knotty up close to the wall and watch warm light reflected back to you—in a very cool style.

Our Discus, also in gold and white marble, reflects light in the same way as Knotty. Inspired by the work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975), it has a simple purity but makes a strong visual statement.

But our abstract leanings do not end with lamps; you can find the abstract at work in our lampshade ranges that use some of the most ancient dyeing and printing techniques.

Our hand-marbled paper shades offer a swirling, centuries-old form of abstraction. Paper marbling dates back hundreds of years and is fascinating to watch. Paints and oils are dropped onto thickened water, then raked and stretched to create an abstract pattern. The paper is then laid on top and, once imprinted, removed from the liquid and dried. No two pieces can ever be the same…

We turned to the ancient Japanese art of Shibori to create a stunning range of hand-dyed linen shades. The technique results in what we like to think of as ‘abstract Shibori stripes’ and each one is unique.

Browse all our lights and shades – and find your own favourite patterns – here.