A modern interior is often built on a mixture of styles, and everything must be done so that it does not represent a random set of things, but looks integral and harmonious. Our simple and clear tips will help you cope with this task perfectly.
1. Use the shape of objects
It is easier to combine 2-3 different styles if you maintain unity of form. This will not cause rejection and will look harmonious. What else is needed for a comfortable interior?
The photo below shows an interior in which furniture and accessories from different styles are used: there is both modern and something from the classics, you can even find features of futurism if you look at the nearest bedside table. But the uniform form of this furniture: thin legs, and soft textile seats, creates a unified and comfortable atmosphere.
2. Find the right color combination
The proper combination of different colors is a whole science that designers have been studying for a long time. But you don’t need to waste it, because we have collected 6 universal tips for combining different shades in the interior.
- The blue color goes well with red, orange, white, and green.
- Terracotta looks harmonious with bright green items and lime green tones. This combination creates a cheerful mood.
- The combination of light blue and cream colors looks great in rooms where there is little natural light, it gives a cozy and organic feel.
- Yellow is often associated with joy, but it is rarely the dominant color. It can be successfully combined with neutral colors: gray, beige, and white. And if you want brightness, raspberry, bright blue or grass green will help.
- Deep green and emerald shades combine favorably with red, and muted turquoise – with neutral beige and white colors.
- Pink shades are always complex, but you can find an approach to them. If a bright palette is chosen, beige or white is added to pink, and muted or dusty pink goes well with dark blue.
Bonus: the easiest way is to make the background white. Almost any color can be combined with it; the contrast can create an interesting eclectic interior, as in this case.
3. Combine materials
Different styles are characterized by differences in textures and materials. So, in classical interiors we most often see velvet, yellow metal, and wood. In the loft, there is stone and leather. In country interiors, there is wood and textiles. To correctly combine materials in different styles, you need to adhere to the following principles:
- In one interior, it is better not to combine several finishing materials with the same surface: natural wood and laminate, ceramic tiles imitating wood, and the same laminate.
- The basic rule for combining textures is contrast and harmony: smooth goes well with relief, hardwood with soft upholstery.
- If the room is divided into zones, it is ideal to use different textures for each zone.
A striking example of a successful mixture of styles and materials is this hallway. Modern classics can be seen in a small ottoman, the chandelier suggests futurism or industrial style, and on the floor, we see an interesting idea of zoning using tiles and laminate: laid at the entrance tiles are convenient, and practical, and in this case also beautiful.
4. Look for unity in unexpected details
You can change the interior of a room with one bold detail. For example, add a carpet with oriental patterns to a modern interior, or add a futuristic sofa to a classic living room.
In general, working with a combination of classic and novelty is a favorite technique of many designers. For example, in the room in the photo below, a classic fireplace became such a detail. And it looks very interesting in a modern interior.
5. Use repeating patterns
If you want to combine objects of different styles in one interior, it will always look good with decoration or furniture where patterns or colors are repeated. Communication by ornaments is one of the most successful for combining different design trends.
For example, in this interior the patterns on the back panels of the cabinets and the upholstery of the chairs are similar. Due to this, the combination looks more harmonious.
6. Use Contrast
Often, mixed-style interiors are built on extremes. For example, furniture and carpet are in the same style, but a chandelier or coffee table is a completely different story. In this case, the styles should be opposite to each other. Objects that seem to be from another interior, specially brought into the room, are called “anchors.”
The interior in this photo could well be called country, if not for two chairs and a chandelier that fall into the futuristic direction.
7. Use the 80/20 rule
To make the mixture of styles successful, sometimes one or two details are enough. This approach follows the 80/20 rule, which states that 80% of furniture and accessories will be in one style direction and 20% in another. Then the interior will look advantageous.
This intentional combination looks harmonious in the interior; just look at the room below. Here’s how just two oriental-style pillows changed the look of a room.
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