Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture. Are you currently facing a mix-and-match predicament in your home? This is a common conundrum, and one we’re well equipped to tackle.
Buying a matching set of furniture is like hitting a few proverbial birds with one stone. Not only can you purchase several pieces at once (check, check, check!), but you’ve saved yourself the effort required to coordinate. Right? Wrong. While all these pieces of furniture might match each other, your room won’t be as individualized as it could be.
On the other hand, you might be dealing with a mismatched array of furniture: a couch inherited from your grandmother, a side table from your first apartment—you get the gist. While décor trends are increasingly leaning toward an eclectic look, there’s a risk of appearing sloppy. This mixed style should convey a decorator’s sense of creativity and personal style.
Whether your goal is to bring some personality to your matching sets or to harmonize an existing smattering of mismatched furniture, try these simple tips for designing a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing living space.
Weight
Once you know what room you’re working with, get an idea about the kind of furniture you want by considering weight. If you have a matching set you’re going to use, a couch, a loveseat and a chair perhaps, round up other pieces that are of a similar proportion. For instance, a sturdy couch set should be paired with an equally robust armoire and side tables for a unified appearance.
You can use this same tip if you’re dealing with a mix of furniture. Sometimes it can be overwhelming thinking what you’re going to put together if nothing technically “matches.” Alleviate this issue by pairing things based on weight, again, heavy with heavy, delicate with delicate.
Color
Not ready to commit to mixing furniture but like the look? Color is a great way to experiment with the mixed look when you’re dealing with a matching set of furniture. Try a single painted accent wall, a set of bright throw pillows, a bold pouf ottoman—start small to get comfortable with the idea. Try varying the tones of a chosen color such as pairing a navy blue wall with a royal blue lampshade and a few baby blue pillows. This will give you a cohesive yet varied look.
Once you’ve conquered the solid color idea, graduate to prints. Find one you like, but make sure the scale is on the larger side so it doesn’t look washed out from afar. The print should be distinct but not overwhelming. Choose a print with several colors in it to give yourself more options as you’re decorating the rest of the room. You can even combine two or three different prints if they have a complementary color scheme.
Using solid colors can also work to your advantage if you have mixed furniture already. Pull everything together by integrating the color scheme. Upholster mismatched couches in the same fabric and add some drapes in a complementary color to pull everything together.
Textures
After color, texture is another tried-and-true way to add some personality to your rooms. Texture not only gives a room some visual depth, but also encourages tactile interaction.
For those who aren’t ready to mix and match furniture or patterns yet, interplay solid colors—but colors with varying textures. Solid colors can help maintain the harmony in a room, while complementary textures highlight the predominant shade and act as visual relief.
If you’re stuck with either a matched or mismatched set of furniture, use a combination of color and texture to update the look. Give yourself something new (even if you’re on a budget) with upholstery in a fabric that has a modern texture and a neutral color.
Accessories
Regardless of what you start out with (mixed or matched), once your main pieces of furniture come together choose accessories that add dynamism to your room. What you select is dependent on the weight, color and texture tips provided above.
If you have a room that is “heavy” with bulky furniture, use accessories as a way to lighten up the room. It might seem unnatural at first, but adding in delicate elements like porcelain, crystal or winding plants imbue a heavy room with a sense of visual balance. The same goes for a “delicate” room, or one with lighter, more feminine pieces. In this instance, add more masculine accessories such as solid wooden candlesticks, chunky frames and dark, oversized pillows.
As for color and texture, dip your toe into the concept by experimenting with the most interchangeable home accessories—pillows and throws. These small tweaks will give your room the dimension you didn’t know you needed. Other ways to play with color and texture through accessories is via art, rugs and fun lighting.
Even in following these tips, remember that a room usually never turns out exactly as planned. That’s okay! Allow each room to take on a unique personality of its own. Happy mixing!
Bree