Establishing your design style is a challenge, but combining that style with others can be even more daunting. When you live with other people, everyone you live with will have their own style preferences and design ideas. Even if you live alone, you may like different aspects of multiple design styles. For example, you may enjoy the velvet fabrics found in the glam style, as well as the fringe, tassels, and prints popular in the bohemian style. So, how can you blend two home design styles to form one cohesive space? Here are four tips on how to combine design styles.
Start With a Neutral Palette
You’ll want to stick to a neutral color palette when it comes to the walls and more significant items in the room, like couches and area rugs. A neutral palette helps establish a strong foundation for merging two different styles. Colors like tan, beige, white, and greige are easy to blend and rarely compete against what is styled around them. When it comes to incorporating colors, you can get throw pillows, artwork, and blankets in shades that complement each other.
Don’t Seclude Styles in Specific Spaces
It might feel easier to designate different rooms to different design styles or even clump items from the same style together in random locations around one room. However, this will put you on the fast track to disconnection. Instead, you’ll want to combine the styles throughout the room and let them flow into other spaces in the home. For example, when combining a coastal design style with a modern design style, you can find a coffee table featuring straight lines and a sleek silhouette and place nautical elements in a tray on top of it.
Find Patterns That Repeat Throughout Both Styles
Similar to using one color palette throughout the entire design space, repeating a shape, pattern, or texture through various mediums across multiple rooms will help add consistency to the overall look and feel of your space. For example, if you want a Mid-Century modern meets Scandinavian home, you can look at furniture items with slanted legs. This feature is prominent in both design styles, so if you splurge on a modern couch but have a Scandinavian-inspired TV stand, the legs could tie the pieces together.
Be Mindful Of Scale
The biggest challenge when combining design styles can sometimes be finding furniture and decor on similar scales. Some design styles, like bohemian, are traditionally a bit bulky and sit closer to the ground. Other styles, like industrial, usually feature thin, sleek, and tall objects. You’ll want to look for a middle ground regarding the size of the items you’re putting in your space so the room doesn’t look disjointed and awkward.
Though it may seem impossible, you can combine two different design styles successfully. All you have to do is establish a neutral foundation, ensure the items in the room flow, and stay mindful of scale and repeating patterns. If you’re still unsure how to combine design styles, our team of professional interior decorators is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your in-home design consultation.
