When talking of mixing interior design styles all I can think about is how this is perfect for someone who likes multiple different styles or wants their space to have multiple simultaneous moods. There is no rule that everything in your space has to fit under a specific design style and if there were, here’s to breaking more interior design rules! Interior design styles come with their own mood but if you want your space to feel joyful but also edgy, what do you do? Mix bohemian with modern and you get the best of both worlds.
Matching Colors and Sticking to a Color Palette
One of the best ways to mix interior design styles while avoiding a clash is to match colors between the two styles. I did this in my most recent design where I specifically picked a black and white abstract print to match with a vintage bust, which also had a modern element to it because of the fact that it has a sleek black finish. The color brown was also utilized as the tone was manipulated and pulled for brass and gold accents that were vintage. By also sticking to a color palette you’d be surprised by how well you could place two completely opposite pieces together.
Play-Off and Play with Lines
The easiest way to mix styles is to play with lines by mixing objects with unique lines ergo; mixing modern or contemporary with vintage and antique.
Although the table and chairs in this design are more Mid-Century Modern they have clean lines which are played off by the rest of the decor in the space. The millwork, for instance, completely offsets the fine lines of the table and chairs. The millwork makes them blend a little better and avoids them sticking out like a sore thumb.
Texture is Everything And So Are Patterns
If you’re having trouble mixing interior design styles, tap into texture. Wood beams to polished white furniture add a rustic element to a modern or coastal space. You can use wood in many other ways along with brick and metal to tap into other interior design styles. Make sure these textures repeat in other rooms as well. I don’t mean fabric patterns, I mean repeating the same accents throughout your home so that you get a cohesive look. This also makes it easy to mix and match styles without a room sticking out and looking out of place.
Pick a Dominant But Make it Fair
When mixing styles it is best to pick a style that would be dominant and seen more around the home. Interior designers like to use a 20:80 ratio to keep a space from looking messy with a 50:50 split of two styles. You can easily do this by picking a small mixture of small and larger pieces of the style you want don’t want to be dominant. This way both are featured but you are avoiding them clashing. This brings me to another point; it is more important to pick pieces that compliment each other rather than pieces that match one another.
The image below is the PERFECT example of this technique. The table, chairs, light fixture, and vase that’s on the table is more modern mid-century modern while the rest of the room gives off a vintage feel, this is the perfect 20:80 split.
Mixing styles can seem like it is confusing or impossible without a space looking off but if you follow these guidelines, I hope it makes it a bit easier on you!
Until next time!
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