How to Mix Styles Effectively
Tips for blending boho, fusing vintage and incorporating contemporary into any space.
With so many beautiful décor styles to choose from, it's no wonder that many of us can't settle on just one (and luckily you don't have to!). The key to mixing styles effectively begins with three important Cs: cohesion, consistency and common ground. We've put together some tips and tricks about three fantastic fusions that will have you blending styles in your own home like a pro.
- Cohesion: Try to avoid splitting your space in a stark 50/50. Instead, focus on gently intermingling your contrasting furniture for a more natural and well-blended look.
Back to the Future: Contemporary & Vintage
Fusing vintage pieces with contemporary décor creates a dynamic look in your home that adds instant character. The key is to embrace the clash—pair an antique wooden desk with a clear plastic chair, shabby-style cabinets with sleek, modern kitchen counters or a Persian rug under a Scandi-inspired dining set.
Try to choose one style to be the major and the other to be the minor, acting as a support that adds pops of intrigue to a room. Keeping your décor clean and white provides the perfect canvas for showcasing a vintage sofa, while painting an older piece (such as a wardrobe or dresser) the same colour as the walls helps to subtly blend the two styles.
- Consistency: Pick a unifying colour scheme or pattern to help mix styles effectively. A Victorian chair and sleek, modern shelves both painted in the same bright hue will keep your space looking cohesive.
The Luxury Loft: Industrial & Glam
This ultra-chic look is perfect if you can't quite decide whether you want your home to be edgy or glamorous, because the two contrasting styles each help to soften the other. The wonderful thing about this mix is that you can utilise it in unusual places—try a chandelier in your kitchen or a velvet armchair in the bathroom.
Glamour can go in many directions, so decide whether you want your look to appear more ornate, almost vintage luxe or cool and contemporary opulence. Baroque-style mirrors and scrollwork sofas are perfect for the former, while sleek metallic tables and glittering accents look more modern.
- Common Ground: Balance your mismatching styles by choosing furniture with a similar scale or shape. A dining table surrounded by two or three styles of chair looks well put-together if all of the chairs are the same height.
La Vie Boheme: French & Boho
There's no denying our obsession with the effortlessly stylish ways of the Parisians, but as much as we adore Coco Chanel's signature monochrome look, there's something charmingly timeless about mixing relaxed bohemian style with classic French tastes. Whether you prefer baroque-style French interiors complete with damask wallpaper and ornate woodwork or more contemporary clean, white lines, peppering your space with boho textiles and accents will give your home casual yet oh-so-cool appeal.
Decide which theme you want to be more prominent and style your room around that premise. For a strong boho look, opt for bold, colourful walls, folky cushions and Moroccan-style lanterns in glittering gold. Contrast this with a scrollwork mirror, velvet sofas and rustic wood furniture to get the French flavour. For a sleeker, Parisian approach, go with white tiles, a tufted neutral sofa and a classic candlebra chandelier using subtle pops of bohemian influence with a tribal rug, some colourful wall art or a kantha-style foot stool.
- Match the Mood: Decide if your space is meant to be relaxing or dramatic, and ensure all of your furniture aligns with this atmosphere.
