How to Mix and Match Furniture Styles

Mixing furniture styles may seem risky, but when done well it can truly enhance the aesthetic of any space. Use these tips to create an aesthetic balance between contrast and harmony that brings out its full potential in any design project.

Even though you might think otherwise, chairs don't need to match the sofa in order to create an appealing space. Eclectic combinations are far more interesting and pleasing on the eye than matching sets.

Choose a Dominant Style

Mixing furniture styles is an integral element of home decor that can create an exclusive and tailored space. While some may view mixing styles as risky, when done right it can take your design to new heights.

Step one of combining furniture styles is selecting one as the foundational style for all subsequent pieces in the room, such as colors or design motifs that repeat throughout. By selecting one dominant style as your guide, it allows you to begin layering in pieces that match its character - like new wood finishes that complement its first one!

Selecting a dominant style can be challenging, as you need something that reflects both your personal taste and is easily accessible to clients. When making this selection it is also essential to take into account how this piece will function in its intended space - this can be accomplished through factors such as seat height and depth considerations.

If you need help getting started, look at what items are already in your inventory and identify if any share common elements such as clean lines, rounded backs or similar leg/foot shapes. Doing this can help bring together different styles without the room becoming disorganized or chaotic.

Bring in Unifying Elements

Establishing a dominant style will enable you to make informed decisions when it comes to furniture selection for your room design. While this doesn't mean all pieces must match exactly, having something as a guide helps ensure a cohesive and purposeful space.

Look for common elements that will unify different furniture styles, such as color and texture. When mixing mid-century modern with traditional pieces, choosing throws or accent pillows with stripes to coordinate will create an illusion that the two belong together perfectly. Furniture pieces featuring clean lines or rounded backs can also help ensure an effortless mix.

One way to unify a range of furniture styles is to use an anchor feature such as a fireplace or window seat as the starting point for designing the room around it. By starting with one of these, you can build on it until your client's vision has been realized.

No matter whether you purchase in-stock or special-order furniture, having a system to easily apply can ensure the pieces you select work cohesively together. Utilizing these tips, your mix-and-match furniture arrangement can move beyond an awkward experiment to a chic designer-worthy space.

Play with Proportions

When mixing furniture styles, it's essential to carefully consider their proportions. Finding an equilibrium among various pieces may prove tricky; find something in common between them that allows them all to coexist comfortably - it might be material, shape, style or fabric that ties them all together; for example if pairing sleek furnishings with ornate chairs requires finding common ground between their materials, shapes or fabrics - for instance using complementary colors can tie them all together or choosing fabric that complements them both; what matters is achieving balance so people feel at ease when sitting and socializing within an environment which feels balanced enough so as to enable interaction among people occupying each space within.

As an example, a large sofa may work perfectly in one room, but if it obstructs traffic flow too much it may become an obstacle instead of an eye-catcher. Also, chairs with extremely high seat heights might make two people sit uncomfortable - so before making purchases or placing furniture in your home it is always advisable to test out each item first in its environment before making a commitment.

Gone are the days when every piece of furniture in a room had to match, now more than ever it's fun and creatively fulfilling to mix furniture styles for a distinctive, layered look that feels curated, interesting and special. By following some simple guidelines for mixing furniture styles it becomes simple and enjoyable - elevating interior design as a result!

Add Texture

Texture can be an invaluable asset when it comes to mixing furniture styles. It helps create an intriguing layered appearance that exudes vibrancy. Furthermore, texture provides room designers with flexibility that can respond quickly to trends or personal preferences.

As an example, a sofa may feature clean lines and neutral colors; to add interest to the piece you can incorporate wood frames or wicker chairs, add fabrics with texture like twill or linen, velvet and tufted fabrics can offer rich colors and textures while microfiber offers versatility at more reasonable price points.

As another way of creating cohesion in a room featuring different furniture styles, proportion is an effective tool in maintaining balance. By placing pieces with similar proportions in strategic spots within a room or placing them along walkways and key walls, it becomes much simpler to achieve an appealing balance in your decor.

Matching furniture sets may be a go-to solution for homeowners, but they can sometimes overwhelm a space and cause visual clutter. Universal Furniture's To The Trade storefront was specifically created to facilitate one-stop shopping; design professionals can utilize its user-friendly platform to quickly source pieces from Coastal, Modern and Transitional collections at once with over 400 fabric and leather options that best suit their clients' styles and timeline needs.