How To Mix Styles Within Your Home Like A True Interior Designer

Flick through your latest interiors magazine, can you see any full bedroom sets? Any interiors that only have one specific style? Maybe, but if so, you’re reading the wrong magazine. For designers to get noticed, they have to be daring, clever and to not follow the safe alternative. Why? Because we’ve realised that normal; isn’t interesting, the things that get noticed are the things which are out of the ordinary, create a reaction and get people talking. This is the same for everything, business, retail, fashion, art and interiors! Do you think Picasso got noticed by following the trends? Do you think Martin Luther King got noticed by following other peoples views? They most certainly did not, they got noticed through being different, standing up for their beliefs and showing the world that what is normal isn't the only path to take. This outlook applies to so many different aspects of life, not just interiors — be daring, be bold but certainly don’t be generic! 
It may feel overwhelming when mixing interiors as there are so many styles, periods, colours, materials and places of origin to choose from — so where do you start? What’s going to look right together? Is it all going look like it does in the photos? Unfortunately I can’t answer all these, but I can give you a few handy tips which will hopefully make the process a whole lot easier!

Have a Vision
Before you start buying anything, make sure you have already envisioned a basic end theme. For example, say you wanted to recreate an old library, you may start collecting leather bound books, library chairs, a partners desk, a reading chair…
Now once you’ve picked your basic theme, pick an underlying theme that you want to run through this basic theme. So let’s take this old library and throw in an undercurrent of modern industrialism in there too; think black metal table bases, Anglepoise lamps or gold detailing to chairs. These little twists are a great way to start mixing themes in a simple, yet subtle way.

Blank Canvas

Now you’ve picked your theme, it’s time to pick your colour scheme 😁. Although white may feel a little bland this is the colour I’d always recommend starting with, white is the perfect backdrop — instead of detracting from the objects that surround you, it actually enhances them. Although white would be my choice, it may not be yours, but take time in picking your colour scheme as it isn't an overnight decision— some people opt for one theme throughout the whole house, others like something different in every room. Whichever way you decide to go, make sure you have considered what the colours will look in different lights and in different seasons; remember dark colours will always look darker in the winter and can make rooms look smaller, but definitely don’t let this deter you!

Mixing Styles Is Actually Pretty Easy

If this is the first time you’ve ventured into mixing styles, then start off with the easier things to mix — art and furniture. If you prefer more traditional furniture then try adding a contemporary abstract painting into the space, and if you prefer contemporary furniture try adding a dutch oil on canvas into the room — you’d be surprised with how well the clash between the two styles works!

Every Room Needs A Focus Piece

Every room should have a central point; this should be the place where your eyes are initially drawn to when you enter the room and is it completely up to you to decide what you want this to be. Is it the circular teak coffee table? The angular Deco armchair? Or the huge green cheese plant that’s takes up the majority of the far corner? What ever you pick, design your room around that imposing piece that you want people to see instantly. If your focal point is the Deco armchair, then repeat the straight angular lines throughout the space, or if it’s the cheese plant or coffee table, follow the curves and repeat this throughout the room. Just like this interior, the designer used a circular coffee table and then followed the curved lines throughout with their furniture choices and it looks wonderful! And notice how they also managed to add in some straight angular artwork to really mix in a different styles.

Repetition Works Wonders

Although we are exploring the route of mixing styles, this doesn’t mean you can’t repeat certain aspects of your interior. Pick a few items that you want to repeat in the room. It could be matching chairs, similar lighting, accent colour pieces. Or the collection of Toby Jugs you have (okay maybe not)… But whatever you choose, make sure you don’t repeat it too often and try and keep the repeated items together. An example could be having three church opaline pendants hanging above your table and a set of eight 1970’s cantilever dining chairs around the dining table!

Materials, Size and Scale

There’s lots to think about when designing a room, but materials, size and colour are essential to making a scheme work. If you get one of these wrong, it could quite easily ruin your whole design. Pick colours that compliment each other and try your best to not use too many, choose a primary colour that you'd like to use throughout the room you’re working on and select colours that would work perfectly with it. 
Materials is a biggie, don’t overuse one particular wood tone, this may have worked in the 60’s but not anymore! Try to mix and match with raw materials such as stone or timber with rustic materials like bamboo or rattan. 
One of the most valuable lessons in interior design is learning to play with the scale of objects. Have a play with the proportions of the objects you have and see what you think looks best, if you can achieve the right balance it will look fab! Try pairing a chunky chesterfield sofa with a dainty wire framed coffee table, or an oversized refectory dining table with a set of six small Ercol dining chairs.

Phone a Friend
Always ask for a second opinion — an important piece of advice which could save you quite a few pennies. People love to help and offer their expertise and with the amazing invention of the internet, it’s now easier than ever to get it. There are thousands of interior groups out there ran by industry leaders who offer their guidance for FREE, so why would you not take it? Post a photo and ask for peoples opinions, you’ll be amazed what you can learn and how much you can save by doing this!