How to Combine Design Styles
You may have taken my Design Style Quiz yet? Here are some ways to mix styles to make it your own!
I’ll demonstrate how to mix styles with a few storyboards below.
In the storyboard above, you’ll notice a very formal armchair that falls into the style category of traditional. In addition, you see a contemporary sofa. Both of these pieces have slender and almost straight legs which is one reason they “work” together. They are also neutral and the brown frame of the chair relates to the brown fabric on the sofa.
You’ll also notice the organically shaped cocktail table. It’s made from a warm wood which relates to the neutrals of the upholstered pieces. In addition, the rug has an organic motif with its watercolor tree design. These two pieces work very nicely together.
The round, neutral and very slender framed mirror adds a touch of formality along with the chair and its thin line echoes the legs of the upholstery. This mirror will also work nicely with the gold glazing on the table lamp.
When you find similarities in the items you choose, it is easy to see how they can create a feeling in your room that not only reflects what you love but a unique style that only you create.
Let’s move on….
Here, we see another mix of styles in these furnishings. The cocktail table is transitional (a mix of contemporary and traditional). Notice the geometric design on the metalwork. Do you notice anything else in this example that is geometric? Yes, the rug for one. And almost everything else here. =0)
In addition, the fringe on the pillows works nicely with the fringe style of the chandelier. And the neutral fabric on the transitional chair goes well with the rug.
Onto the next example…
In this storyboard, you can probably start to see why it works, can’t you? There are at least three styles mixed here.
Here is how they relate to one another: The legs of the sofa and chest, the organic nature of the mirror, the table lamp and poof, the geometry within the chest and the rug, and the gold accents throughout.
Are you beginning to get the hang of this?
I have one more example for you….
This last storyboard contains pieces that are contemporary, farmhouse, and mid-century. Can you spot them? But notice the color scheme, the wood tones, textures as well. I bet there would only be one room out there like this one! That’s because if you take a little time to listen to your heart and decide what items really speak to you, and then you consider their similarities, you will have a winning style as a result. A style that is uniquely you.
Try this as an exercise:
Decide what pieces you have that you love.
Consider if they work together and why or why not.
Paste the ones that work together onto a word document.
Ready to learn more about design? Let’s have a quick phone call!
