How to Mix Interior Design Styles and Create a Cohesive Look

Mixed interior design is trending for a reason. Home design no longer about sticking strictly to one aesthetic. Instead, it’s about curating a home that reflects your personal style, interests, and experiences. Maybe you love the clean lines of mid-century modern furniture but can’t resist the charm of a vintage boho rug. Or perhaps your heart is with Scandinavian style, but you also adore touches of glam.

By mixing different decorating styles, you can:

• Add Personality: A mix of styles tells a story about who you are and what you love.
• Create Visual Interest: Blending contrasting design elements can make a room more dynamic and visually engaging.
• Make Your Space Unique: No one else will have a space quite like yours!

Even when combining different decorating styles, every room needs a foundation to tie everything together. Choose a neutral color palette as your base. Shades like white, beige, gray, and soft earthy tones create a versatile canvas. Once your base is set, you can layer in different styles and pops of color.

For example, pair a modern gray sofa with vintage artwork or textiles. The neutral sofa acts as a grounding piece, allowing the juxtaposition of styles to shine without clashing in your living room.

Scale and proportion are critical when mixing decorating styles. Pair smaller vintage pieces, like an ornate side table, with larger, streamlined modern furniture to maintain balance. Alternatively, a bold, oversized vintage bookshelf can make a statement against minimal modern elements.

If every piece has the same weight or size, the room may feel cluttered. Instead, vary the scale of your furniture and decor to keep your design visually appealing.

Look for unifying features among your pieces of furniture and decor. These could include:

• Color Scheme: Choose a recurring color to tie different elements together. For example, a deep blue vintage armchair can work beautifully with contemporary navy throw pillows.
• Material: Consistency in materials like dark wood, metal, or fabric can create harmony. A rustic wooden coffee table pairs effortlessly with modern chairs with natural linen upholstery.
• Shapes: Curved vintage furniture complements new pieces with soft, rounded edges. Alternatively, angular mid-century designs can contrast against a sleek, rectangular dining table.

Add a focal point to anchor your room. This could be a bold piece of furniture, like a velvet Chesterfield sofa, or an eye-catching decor item, like a vintage chandelier. Build the rest of the room around this statement piece by incorporating complementary elements from other styles.

For example, if your statement piece is a vintage Persian rug, pair it with contemporary furniture in neutral tones to keep the focus on the rug.

Layering is a powerful tool in interior decorating, seamlessly blending styles while adding depth and smoothing transitions. Here's a few design ideas on how to master it:

• Use textured throws and pillows to connect modern and vintage furniture.
• Add an area rug to ground the room and tie contrasting furniture styles together.
• Incorporate accessories like artwork, books, and vases to bring balance.

Decor is one of the easiest ways to experiment with mixing styles. Blend modern and vintage decor to add personality without overwhelming your space. Here are some decorating ideas:

• Mix a sleek, abstract sculpture with antique-inspired candlesticks on a mantle.
• Group vintage frames with modern photographs for an eclectic gallery wall.
• Pair a contemporary table lamp with a retro chair.

Decor provides an affordable and low-commitment way to introduce different styles gradually.

Do:

• Trust Your Instincts: Your space should resonate with you, even if it defies traditional "rules."
• Balance Opposites: Contrast light and dark, old and new, or sleek and textured to create harmony.
• Edit Carefully: Less is often more. Remove any items that disrupt the flow of the room.

Don’t:

• Overdo Contrasts: Avoid mixing too many styles in one space. Stick to two or three for the best results.
• Ignore Functionality: A beautiful dining room is great, but it still needs to be livable. Prioritize comfort and practicality.
• Forget About Transitions: Ensure that adjacent spaces complement one another to maintain a cohesive flow throughout your home.