At a Glance:
Mix and match furniture is an artform. It’s all about blending different looks and aesthetics to create a unique and personalized space. It's like combining different ingredients to cook up a dish that's uniquely yours. Whether it's merging modern with classic, rustic with industrial, or any other combination, mixing furniture styles is a great way to make your home a reflection of your personality and tastes. Of course, there are ways to curate a space, and we’re here to teach you how to mix furniture styles to achieve the vibe you’re going for.
Whether you’re interested in mixing design styles, finishes, colors and patterns, or mixing old and new furniture, we’ve put together mix match furniture ideas for every room of your home. Take a look and get inspired!
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Shop NowMixing Design Styles
There are dozens of design subcategories that mix two existing styles to create a new category. For example, modern farmhouse design blends two popular–and quite different–styles: modern and farmhouse. Japandi combines Japanese and Scandinavian designs.
Other design styles are defined by their penchant for mixing and matching styles. Eclectic interior design, for example, is characterized by mixing in pieces from various cultures and incorporating a mixture of textures, colors, patterns, and materials.
The key to mixing design styles is to create balance. If you are combining modern and farmhouse style, but you incorporate 99% farmhouse pieces, then your one modern moment is going to look out of place. On the other hand, if you focus on balance throughout the room, your design will look purposeful and curated.
Mixing Finishes
Mixing finishes can add interest to your space and keep it from looking cookie-cutter. However, mixing in too many finishes can be chaotic. Even if you design a room all at once, you want it to feel curated and natural with thoughtful eclectic furniture. You want to create a balanced space that feels intentional without feeling “matchy-matchy.”
Here are some interior design tips for mixing finishes in your space:
| Style Tip | How to Use It | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose a Dominant Finish | Start by selecting a dominant finish that will serve as the foundation for your decor. This dominant finish can be on larger pieces of furniture or prominent fixtures like cabinet hardware or lighting. | ||
| Limit the Number of Finishes | While mixing finishes can be visually appealing, avoid going overboard. Limit yourself to two or three finishes to maintain a cohesive look. | ||
| Consider the Color | Take into account the color of the finishes you're mixing. Mixing finishes with similar color tones can create a harmonious look, even if the actual finishes are different. For example, oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel can work well together because they’re on the metallic spectrum. | ||
| Balance Shiny and Matte | Mixing shiny and matte finishes can create contrast and interest. | ||
| Think About Flow | Consider how finishes flow from one room to another, especially in open-concept spaces. You want the transition to be seamless and not jarring. | ||
| Don't Forget the Hardware | Cabinet hardware, faucets, and lighting fixtures are excellent opportunities to mix finishes. For example, you can have brass cabinet pulls and stainless steel appliances if they are balanced and complement each other. | ||
Mixing Colors and Patterns
Though it may seem counterintuitive, you must start with a neutral backdrop if you want to create contrast in your room. If everything is bold and colorful, your room becomes chaotic.
To mix colors, choose a palette of one to three neutrals and then choose your accent colors. For accent colors, choosing complementary colors (colors that are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange) will create a more harmonious look.
To mix patterns, think about scale. For example, if your couch has four throw pillows in different patterns, choose a defined color palette and mix large- and small-scale prints. You could choose an oversized gingham and pair it with a small-scale floral pattern. You could choose a large-scale brocade pattern and mix it with a small scale checked pattern.
You can just as easily apply these tips to mixing and matching accessories or furniture pieces. For example, if your loveseat and sofa are a neutral fabric, you can pair them with a bold patterned accent chair. On the other hand, starting with accessories is a great way to test out whether or not you like this style in a less permanent way.
Mixing Old and New
When you’re mixing old and new furniture, one way to keep it from becoming too visually overwhelming is to pay attention to shape. For example, if you are mixing and matching dining chairs, you can choose chairs in different colors and finishes, but a similar shape. You might choose chairs with rounded arms or curved backs.
You can incorporate one or two old pieces in a new room, and they will become the focal point. Handpicking inspiration pieces and then utilizing subtlety in the rest of the room allows these pieces to shine.
How to Mix Furniture Styles in the Living Room
Here are a few mix match living room furniture ideas our interior design experts love!
✔ We Recommend: Flexsteel Devon Black Onyx Power Reclining Sofa with Power Headrests
Shop This Flexsteel Recliner Sofa
If you want to mix modern and glam style in your living room, this sofa from Flexsteel is an excellent option. On its own, modern style furniture can feel a bit utilitarian, but modern glam is a luxurious spin on modern design. This sofa’s simple silhouette, charcoal gray fabric, and functional power reclining all add to the modern feel of this couch while nailhead trim and tufting add a touch of glam.
Learn More: Custom Couches: How to Design Your Own Couch
✔ For a Touch of Character: England Furniture Henley Swivel Chair
Shop This England Furniture Accent Chair
This swivel chair can be upholstered in your choice of bold and colorful patterns to create a truly unique look. You could choose a loud pattern in neutral hues to match your couch, or you can choose a colorful and patterned chair for even more contrast and visual interest. However you decide to upholster this swivel accent chair, its mid-century-inspired silhouette adds a dash of smart style with clean lines that pair beautifully with minimalist living rooms, modern living space, art deco setting, or boho chic living areas.
✔ For Visual Interest: Aspenhome Avery Loft Limestone S Cocktail Table
Shop This Aspenhome Geometric Coffee Table
A sculptural piece of furniture can add an element of pattern to your space as well. This S-shaped coffee table mixes a neutral limestone finish with a unique shape to add contrast to your space. If you’ve been looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to create a focal point in your living room, this is a great option. One idea from our interior design experts is to go industrial with metallic accents while playing up the farmhouse feel with complementary pieces of reclaimed or whitewashed wood.
How to Mix Furniture Styles in the Dining Room
The dining room is where creative menus come together, so why not do the same with your furniture? Here are few inspo tips for you to consider.
✔ We Recommend: Drew & Jonathan Home Boulevard Black Fox Round Dining Table
The dining room presents an excellent opportunity to mix finishes. This dining table features a subtle mix of finishes with its combination of wood and metal, but you can pump up the contrast by mixing in another finish with dining room seating.
A natural choice might be a matching wooden chair, but you have the freedom to choose upholstered chairs for a toss-up of modern and casual flair. Wood and upholstery both have a warm feel while the metal base adds contrast. Velvet and metal both have a luxurious, glam feel while wood contrasts to add an earthy element. This dining table provides endless options for contrasting chair pairings.
✔ For a Vintage Touch: American Drew Southbury Cortona Arm Dining Chair
Shop This American Drew Vintage Dining Chair
In the dining room, a great way to mix old and new is to contrast a new table with an old set of chairs. You could also choose to incorporate a pair of contrasting chairs at the head of your table while the table and other chairs match one another. Whether you prefer a more eclectic look or subtler contrast, this American Drew Southbury Cortona dining is a great way to add a vintage feel to your space and keep it from looking stereotypical or boring with a tongue-in-cheek feel that lightens every dining occasion.
How to Mix Furniture Styles in the Bedroom
We spend eight hours of the day in the bedroom (well, hopefully), so it doesn't hurt to have a place you'll love spending that time in. If you're ready for a taste of creativity, give mix match bedroom ideas a look.
✔ We Recommend: Liberty Luxe Living Light Gray Queen Upholstered Bed
Shop This Liberty Furniture Panel Bed
Contrasting a dining table and chairs is an example of contrasting multiple pieces of fu rniture, but a single piece of furniture can also embrace contrasting finishes. A bed is a natural focal point in your bedroom, and a great way to add a sense of drama to your space. This upholstered bed contrasts channeled upholstery with platinum-finished birch and ash burl veneers. The shiny finish adds interest while the neutral tones of the wood and fabric keep this piece from being too overwhelming. With its subtle contrast, this bed frame easily works withi bold, dark pieces, mid-century modern bedroom themes, or even Boho chic when paired with bright patterns and prints.
Learn More: Rugged + Rustic Interior Design How-To Guide
Like any design application, mixing in different styles, finishes, and time periods can be done well or it can be done poorly. As you choose furniture pieces for each room, limit yourself to a defined color palette and number of finishes. Balancing the finishes, colors, and patterns you choose is key, but if you get that down, mixing and matching furniture styles is an excellent way to make your home a reflection of your unique personality and style.
Looking for more inspiration? Colder’s offers a wide range of mix and match furniture ideas in every finish and style you can think of so you can create your dream space mix and match furniture ideas. Stop by one of our Milwaukee furniture stores to browse the latest styles in person today.
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing on your home needs!
Shop The Latest Furniture Styles at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find exciting furniture style ideas, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Your Guide to Contemporary Interior Design