How to mix and match furniture like a pro

A scalloped wicker coffee table injects personality into this new traditional blue and white design. Photos: Handout/TNS

Gone are the days of placing matching big-box furniture in a room and calling it good. And while it’s easy to fall into the trap of following a specific trend, often I find that the spaces with the most impact are the ones that effortlessly combine elements from multiple periods, styles and places.

The trick is to ensure that everything ties together. The whole point of mixing styles is to create a space that truly defines you, and can’t be re-created somewhere else.

It’s all about finding the right balance of colour, texture, style and proportion to create a unified and visually appealing look.

Let's explore some tips and tricks to help you mix and match furniture like a pro, no matter for what style you’re aiming.

For tight spaces

Finding the right pairings for a tight space can be challenging, but with some thoughtful planning, you can make the most of it. The first step is to measure your room and determine the size and shape of your furniture pieces.

When selecting furniture, it might be a good idea to choose items that can serve multiple purposes, like an ottoman that can serve as extra seating in a pinch. This will help you save space and maximise functionality.

A compact chair adds colour and texture to the living room.

Two apartment sofas facing each other is a beautiful way to fill a space and maximise seating, especially in a room without a television. It’s the setup I have in my own living room and is fantastic for entertaining.

But what I’d consider the most tried-and-true way to provide maximum flexibility of seating for guests (and lounging when no one else is around) is to use a sectional-style sofa and compact, small-framed chairs.

The sectional gives space to spread out if you need it, and the chairs add some pleasing visual contrast to the design without adding too much bulk to the space.

But the best thing about a small room is that by adding just a few finishing touches, you can make your space feel ultra-stylish in a breeze.

Treat yourself to a sculptural side table, a glam new accessory or simply a few faux flowers, and the entire space will feel big-budget.

Two-tone furniture

Two-tone furniture is another fun way to create pairings in your custom pieces. For designer-forward kid-friendly spaces, you can apply performance fabric to the seat of your piece and then any fabric you like on the body where it won’t get as much wear (in theory). Even if practicality isn’t your primary concern, going two-tone injects a little texture and personality into the piece.

With its metal frame, sharp angles and pop of leather, this chair is the star of the show.

The value of repetition

Repetition works wonders in design. When curating your look with mixed and matched furniture, try to work in a common element or two to tie the pieces and overall space together.

Using a defined colour palette, having a couple wood pieces from the same time period, or carrying a motif throughout help to add a touch of polish.

To create cohesion in your design, repeat a chosen colour, finish, material, shape or pattern two to three times. This also helps to make the space feel curated.

A balancing act

When it comes to mixing and matching furniture pieces to create your style, it might feel like a little bit of a balancing act. Too few details and it feels like something’s missing; too much of the same is uninteresting.

Cultivating balance is essential when mixing furniture styles. Do the colours and scale feel evenly dispersed throughout the space? Does anything need to be moved? Don’t be afraid to take a step away and come back with fresh eyes.

Mixing and matching your furniture is the perfect way to achieve the sought-after collected look. Remember, good design is more of an evolution than a destination, and collected spaces take time to build. – Tribune News Service