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Home Decor + Matching Different Styles

By: Decorated Life Team |

The best home decor comes from making the most of what you have. With a favorite chair, your mother’s table, your aunts plates or mementos from a special journey or place; working out how to make these work together without looking a little odd, will create a great home decor look others will scramble to copy.

home decor eclectic design

Here’s a plan, a strategy to help you get the most out of what you like, and probably already own.

A Guide to Home Décor: Matching Different Styles

Start with knowing your own taste. Do you prefer a cosy, rustic feel in your home or do you like a sleeker, more contemporary one?

Do you like warmer or cooler colors? Warm wood or cool wood tones? Rich warm textures and fabrics or cooler neutral colors? Are you drawn to a specific style or era? 

mixing wood with metals

These questions can guide you; its rare for someone to like only one style. With all the wonderful styling and décor ideas, choosing just one style and sticking to it is difficult.

You goal is to consolidate these different styles into your own unique look that flows and looks flawless.

mixing industrial with vintage

Colorful Interiors

Most people choose a color palette, using one or two shades, lighter or darker, as highlights or accents.

The result can be bland rooms, needing the help of accessories to come alive. Simply change or rotate accessories regularly to get a new look. This is expensive and needs space to keep surplus accessories safe. Instead, can use things you love and already own, differently? A new look doesn’t necessarily mean new things.

master bedroom home decor

Create a list of items important to you and your family. Use these as the starting point of your decorating style. Drawers of photographs can be turned into a photo gallery in your hallway, entry, bedroom or living room. Bring photos together, using the same size or color frame. Transform photos into a wall feature that brings you joy every single day. Do this with plates, silverware or mementos like the clogs on the stairs below, which adds color, interest and something personal.

eclectic decor

Make a colorful armchair, or rug, the center of attention; the foundation of a look you love. But when selecting, how much is too much?

add vintage decor to mid century decor

If you choose a bold colorful wall and an equally vivid rug, keep other wall colors or furniture neutral as a background.

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Next; think in triangles.

Most rooms can carry three feature or focal points. They can vary in size, color and height but should work together for the room to feel balanced. Group collections of things, instead of scattering them around. Use anything; one strong feature wall color, one large or colorful rug or a table with a collection of plates to create your three things.

Layer It Up

For a room to come alive it requires depth. Layering textures is the most effective way to add depth.

Different textures unify a room. Splashes of red, yellow and blue brings this room together; in different textures, tones and designs. Stripes, tribal, floral and shabby all living together harmoniously.

layer color and texture

With your basics in place, layer textures to create the look of choice ~ cozy, rustic, or country looks. The best looks use fabrics and materials that are opposite or contrasting textures.

A sheepskin or heavy wool throw on a leather chair is an instant ‘cozy’ factor. A polished hardwood floor alongside a fuzzy carpet or a rug is another instant cozy factor. Contrasting textures works.The style you choose is up to you.

layering textures in home decor

Marble counter tops with metallic finishes work well, as well as mixing wooden elements with plastic or porcelain elements.

Size Matters

Oversized pieces and objects can overwhelm a room. Even so, a small room lined with books, armchairs and bold color can feel warm and cozy; any thing less could feel empty.

eclectic bookcase

Pay attention to how certain features work within the room and one another to get the best home decor results. 

Overcrowding large rooms are a bigger problem; your eyes and brain can only handle so much visual stimulation. They need a rest from too much color, texture or shapes. Make sure your room has a few visual gaps. If you follow the triangle rule, you can’t fail.

If a room feels bland, feel free to add more contrast.

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Opposites Attract

In rooms opposites attract. Mixing items, colors and styles you wouldn’t necessarily think go together can do wonders for your décor.

home decor contrasts

Think about pairing modern and rustic elements, or adding items from different eras.

Finding Your Balance

The secret to bringing different styles together so you create a home, lies in balancing these elements. It can take time and patience. But creatively using these elements will get you there faster. This goes for your garden and outdoor areas as well; from fire pits to water features, play until you the look you love.

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