Ways to Tastefully Mix and Match Interior Design Styles

Many people, when decorating their home and shopping for furniture, are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of available options. That can often lead them to decide to go with the safest choice- decorating their living space with matching furniture. However, it is possible to have more than one decor style present in your home effortlessly. Actually, according to the new interior design trends, that is essential. Tastefully combining the things you love (regardless of their design style) can make a beautiful, layered, and exciting home that reflects who you are. That said, one must be careful. Too much mixing can create visual confusion leaving you questioning why or how something ended up in the space. The most successful rooms seek some common ground, where everything finds a way to get along. So, with that in mind, here are the most practical ways to perfectly mix and match different decorating styles in your home.

Let the Focal Point Be Unusual

If you have or want to buy an item that you really love, but it does not have anything in common with anything else in the space, make it a focal point. A perfect example would be an antique tapestry hanged on a wall as a centerpiece in your living or dining room. Motives like famous historical events can create an Old World aesthetic for your home. As an inspiration, take a look at the 224 feet long masterpiece of early medieval- the Bayeux Tapestry. There are many more different types of original designs to choose from, and each can provide a unique look when combined with modern furniture pieces. Importantly, since they can give a space a personalized look, using them, you can display your interest and passions.

Another idea is a rug in a bold pattern and coloring. You can choose a vibrant oriental one or one with Bauhaus style design, depending on your taste. Do not be afraid if there is more than one pattern in the room.   Layering various patterns will give your space depth, substance, and a certain level of richness. However, do keep in mind that rugs as centerpiece works exceptionally well with a neutral room. To draw even more attention to this stylish furnishing, you can position an attractive light fixture above it.

A large piece of artwork or several small art pieces arranged in a gallery wall is another way to create a focal point in a living space. A beautiful piece of art will draw your eye as soon as you walk into the room. Moreover, when well positioned, it can pull together every design style you have in your home.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat

Repeating things like color, texture, pattern, and material throughout the room can tie a space together and make it feel like different pieces were chosen intentionally. For example, if you have a painting where particular color dominates, try adding a few minor touches of the same color- throw pillows or decorations in other areas of the room. This way, the color will tie it all together and make it blend into the room. The same can be done by repeating a pattern. You can even go one step further and try combining several different patterns. Or decide to link materials like wood and metal, marble and travertine with a more rustic material such as cane or rattan, glass with concrete and plastic, faux fur, and other textiles. Looking at materials in terms of contrasts will help you in creating a more layered space. And believe us, the sky is the limit, just do not forget to repeat.

Understand Balance

For a space to look good despite several styles combined, those styles must be balanced out. There are three ways to do that. First, choose items with equal visual weight and scale. Keeping things on the same scale makes them look like they belong with each other and ensures that they will function together. For example, you can put different style nightstands on both sides of the bed, but to feel like they belong, they need to be of similar size.

Second, the styles you choose need to be balanced throughout the place. For example, if you are into mixing modern with rustic, put rustic items throughout the room (or in at least 2 places). Do not concentrate rustic accessories in one corner of the room, leaving every other with just modern pieces.

Lastly, in balancing things, use neutral colors (from light neutrals, such as cream and white, to darker shades, such as chocolate or charcoal). Paint your walls a nice neutral color or keep a large piece of furniture a neutral color. That way, striking colors or strongly patterned pieces of furniture in your room can be easily showcased. Remember, neutrals have the power to unify the space and provide it to breathe.

Follow the 80/20 Rule

When in doubt, what goes hand in hand with balancing your designs is making sure that both of the design styles you are using end up working together. To do this, you need to follow the 80/20 rule. That means that you want to devote 80% of the room’s design to one style and 20% to the other. Obviously, the first style will be your main focus, and it will likely influence your choice of colors, furniture, lighting, flooring, etc. The second style will have more of a background role. Interior designers’ advice is to use it when choosing your accent items like statement pieces of furniture, lighting fixtures, and eye-catching wall art.

Be Consistent

One of the most crucial things in creating an eclectic and unique design in your home is consistency. If one room combines various design styles, and the rest of the house is either uber-contemporary or traditional, your place can look disjointed. Now, that does not mean that decorating rules are written in stone. Feel free to bend or even break the rules, but do keep in mind that it is better to carry the mixed look throughout the entire space.