Creating a unique and stylish interior design can sometimes be a tricky process. The challenge is to mix different decorating styles together for a cohesive and unified look. How can you ensure you’re playing nicely with different periods, textures and colours? Here’s our guide on how to combine decorating styles for a cohesive look.
Identify Your Home’s Style
The first step to mixing interior styles correctly is to identify what kind of style your home generally falls into. Is it traditional, contemporary, or classic? Or perhaps it is an eclectic blend of several different styles. Once you’ve identified the key style, you can move on to how you want to mix it up.
Choose a Colour Scheme
A great way to bring different styles together is to use a single colour scheme throughout your space. Establishing a base of two or three main colours will help bring a cohesiveness to the space. Utilize a wide range of textures, patterns and finishes to bring your colours to life and tie them together in a single style.
Create Contrast Using Scale
Using different sizes of furniture is a quick and easy way to mix different styles together. A great way to do this is to mix large pieces such as a sofa with small elements like side tables or ottomans. Keeping a balance between the large and small works well to make the space look contemporary while still giving it a sense of classic charm.
Introduce Unexpected Elements
A great way to combine styles is to introduce one-off pieces that are different from the main look of your room. Consider introducing unexpected elements such as a chandelier, a geometric rug, or a vintage sofa. This is a great way to give your space the focus you’re looking for while maintaining a cohesive feel.
Mix and Match Textures
Mixing and matching textures is an essential part of combining design elements from different styles. Choose items from different eras and materials such as metal, wood, glass, cloth, and fabrics. When you put them together in an intentional way you can create a unique, inviting, and modern look.
Embrace Layering
Layering various elements together is a great way to mix different styles and create a unique look in your home. Placing different styles and eras together can give a space an interesting combination of textures, patterns, and colour palettes that make the space look stylish and modern.
Make an Accent Piece the Focal Point
Having a single piece of furniture become the focal point in your room is a great way to combine styles. Look for statement pieces that work well with the overall look of your home. These pieces should have a balance of classic charm and modern lines. A custom, vintage-style fireplace, a sculptural lounge chair, or a rustic wooden cabinet can all be great accent pieces that anchor the room.
Mix Traditional and Modern Styles
Mixing traditional and modern styles is easier than you think. Start with a traditional piece of furniture, such as a wingback chair, and then add a few modern elements, such as a geometric or abstract-patterned rug. You can also add some contemporary lighting, a modern art print on the wall, or an interesting coffee table.
Stay True to the Room’s Purpose
When you get too caught up in bringing different styles together, it’s easy to forget the purpose of the room. Is it a dining room, living room, office, or bedroom? Don’t forget to consider how your furniture, colours, and design elements will enhance the function of the room.
Make Fresh Finishes a Priority
A great way to bring a cohesive look to your space is to refresh the finishes in your home. Painting your walls a calming neutral colour or updating the hardware on your furniture can both help tie together different decorating styles.
Create Balance Through Repetition
Don’t be afraid to repeat words, shapes, and textures in your room for a truly unified design. Repetition helps bring unity and creates a balance that brings all of the elements together.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to decorating. It’s easy to get stuck in the same style rut and copy what everyone else is doing in their homes. Have fun and don’t be afraid to try something different.
If you’re looking to create a stylish and unique interior design, it’s important to remember to mix different decorating styles together for a cohesive look. By using the tips above, you’ll be able to successfully mix traditional and modern, classic and contemporary to create a modern, stylish, and coordinated interior design that’s uniquely yours.