Florals Are Fabulous - Always.
I love floral fabrics. They’re generally associated with vintage or traditional styles, which is a style that’s close to my heart but I also think you can use florals, even traditional florals, in fresh, modern ways. Even if you’re going for a modern and minimal vibe, you can inject a floral to great effect. The key to using floral prints in your interiors without them feeling too "granny’s house" is to strike a balance and to use them sparingly—mixing bold choices with contemporary elements. Here are some of my thoughts on how to incorporate florals for a chic and updated look.
Limit Your Florals
I am all for the granny vibes in a home. I really love the mix of florals and patterns and I would happily have multiple floral elements in a room. This however isn’t for everyone and if we’re looking to use them in a more modern way, I think you need to be really considered in where the floral element in the room is. A good method is to pick one piece. For example - just the curtains, just the sofa or just the armchair. You can then still include other patterns in the room but the real floral feature fabric is in just one spot.
Mix Florals with Modern Textures
Contrast is so often appealing to look at, so with that in mind, try combining a floral fabric with sleek, modern materials. For example, pair a floral-upholstered armchairs with a polished modern metal coffee table, or add floral pillows to a leather sofa. The distinction between soft, organic prints and smooth, modern textures creates a balanced, cohesive look. Boucle is still so popular so why not put a vintage floral cushion on a boucle armchair or sofa? Or switch it up and have a sofa upholstered in a vintage floral fabric and pair it with soft velvet armchairs in a modern rounded shape. The contrast is where it’s at. It brings interest to the room and individuality, which in my opinion is everything.
Below are some images from two designers I love (Heidi Callier and Studio Snoop) that do both of these things SO WELL.
Image 1: Studio Snoop Image 2: Heidi Callier Image 3: Studio. Snoop
Incorporate Florals in Unexpected Spaces
Floral fabrics don’t have to be confined to traditional uses like upholstery or curtains. Use them in more unconventional places to bring a modern twist to your interiors:
Headboards: A floral upholstered headboard can add drama and personality to a bedroom, especially when paired with neutral bedding and minimalistic furniture.
Dining Chairs: A bold floral pattern on dining chair upholstery is a fun way to introduce prints into a space that typically leans more functional.
Accent Walls: While not a fabric, floral wallpaper—especially large-scale murals—can transform a feature wall in any room. Choose florals with modern shapes or metallic finishes to keep things looking contemporary.
Skirts: I really like seeing the inclusion of a skirt in a home. Put a skirt around the wall hung basin you have in your powder room or across the open lower shelves in your butlers pantry. This is a much more traditional look but a floral skirt is gorgeous - IMO! Skirt’s are not so unexpected but they are not that often seen here in Australia in a city home, so why not include it?! See below for some fun florals used in unexpected places.
Image 1. Anthropologie; Image 2: Pinterest; Image 3: Beata Hueman
Choose Modern Floral Patterns
You could select floral fabrics that feel updated. Look for large-scale prints, abstract designs, or monochromatic color schemes. Instead of the tiny, repetitive florals often associated with outdated styles, opt for designs with bolder, oversized blossoms or stylized botanicals in colors that match a more contemporary palette—think deep blues, muted greens, or even burgundy tones. These designs feel less traditional and more like art, making them easier to integrate into modern spaces. Utopia goods have some amazing and very Australian options that are worth checking out.
Focus on Colour Harmony
Another trick to modernizing florals is focusing on a cohesive color palette. Florals in neutral tones, such as soft grays, taupes, or even deep neutral tones, feel contemporary. Stick to one or two colors from the floral print and carry those shades throughout the room with solid or textured fabrics, wall colors, and accessories. Keeping the colour palette simple can go a long way with great effect.
Image 1: Pinterest; Image 2: Heidi Callier (again); Image 3: Pinterest
Keep It Light and Airy
Heavy floral curtains or thick, patterned upholstery can make a room feel old-fashioned and heavy and in Australia that is generally not the vibe that works with our climate and lifestyle (maybe in country Tassie or VIC but not most other places). Instead, use floral fabrics in lightweight materials, such as linen or cotton. This keeps the room feeling fresh, modern, and inviting. Alternatively keep the other colours in the room light. Light painted walls and other pieces of furniture can be offset by the heavier floral accent piece. I find this works really well.
So floral fabric can absolutely be stylish and modern when used in the right way. By selecting modern patterns, limiting the use of florals to accent pieces, and combining them with contemporary furniture and textures, you can create a space that feels updated, sophisticated and homely. Whether it’s a bold floral armchair or a soft throw pillow, the possibilities are endless for bringing a touch of nature inside—without feeling like you’ve stepped directly into your Granny’s lounge room. So go ahead and embrace florals—they’re far from passé!