Unless you are going for a specific aesthetic, you probably won't buy all your furniture at once. Or, if you do, you may get the basics at first and leave room for the smaller pieces, which you may get from many different sources. Whether it be for financial or sentimental reasons, people's homes often contain an eclectic mixture of vintage style and contemporary pieces. When combined well, these pieces make for a dynamic decor that you can show off to your guests. Here are 6 ideas on how to combine different furniture styles together.
- Do Your Research
- Before you can start creating a mashup of styles, you need to research them. Learn more about the history, the background, the production, and the quality indicators of different styles. If you already have some much-cherished vintage pieces, it's a good idea to start learning more about them. This way you'll be able to understand what works with them and what doesn't. Furniture from the same historical period will be easier to combine - at least when it comes to the older pieces. The issue is vastly more complicated with contemporary furniture due to the sheer number of styles available.
- Pick a Theme
- Even if you have several different styles in one room, they can all be tied together by a unified theme. Ideally, the theme should match the purpose of the space, but other than that, you have the liberty to choose whatever you like. If you have trouble coming up with a theme for your space, you can always visit an online store and get inspired by its digital display. Whether your theme revolves around materials, lighting, style, or anything else, online furniture stores often have broad selection criteria you can browse by. Here you can also learn to use repetition to create a more cohesive design before buying anything.
- Choose a Color Palette
- Another visual point of reference could be the color palette you are using. Generally, the smaller number of colors you are using, the more put-together the decor looks. If you aren't sure which colors you can combine, just go with neutrals. With a neutral color scheme, you can avoid color clashing even if you have to work with a mashup of styles. That's not to say that you can't add a touch of different colors here and there, particularly if you are going for a vibrant theme - just keep the contrasts to the minimum.
- Play with Scales
- The scale, or the comparative proportions of your furniture and decor pieces, is another critical factor you should consider when combining different styles. By playing with different scales, you can put together items you wouldn't have thought to do so otherwise. For example, massive pieces of antique furniture from the same historical period may look like they would match perfectly. However, if you put several oversized items in close proximity, the space would immediately feel crowded. By alternating between those and lighter, more delicate objects, you can create a more inviting space.
- Find the Balance
- Repetition and scaling can help you find the balance between the different furniture styles, but what about the materials? Furniture comes in many different materials, so it's easy to get confused about which ones you can combine. On the other hand, you don't want all your materials to have the exact same color or texture either.
- While the color variation is best to be kept to a minimum, you definitely have more freedom with combining texture. Combine pieces that can balance each other out, like shiny with matte finishes or sleek surfaces with rustic fabric. Add items with neutral finishes and textures, and you will be able to tie everything together seamlessly.
- Add Unique Elements
- Last but not least, no decor would be complete without some unique elements that make everything look more put together. Whether this is a functional piece of vintage furniture or a contemporary art piece that just looks like furniture, it will be entirely up to you. The latter can add the exact dash of color your space needs and create a point of interest. However, the old classic can be much more inspiring, particularly if you plan to spend a lot of time in that space.
Combining furniture for every space is almost like choosing the right layers for an outfit. You get the basics to match in color and work around that palette. Feel free to play with the scale of the objects, and don't be afraid to add a few repetitions either. Mix in a few contemporary art pieces and some timeless vintage ones for inspiration - and you will have a truly unique and tasteful decor. Once you learn how to tie everything together in a dynamic space that reflects your personality, you won't have any trouble adding more furniture in the future.