If your bedroom design began with a furniture set that matches your nightstands and lamps, it may be time to shake things up. Having a space where everything coordinates perfectly may seem like the easiest route to a stylish home, but many times, it can feel more sterile than a true reflection of who you are and what you love.
“A home often looks sterile when everything comes from the same set,” explains Preeti Shah, founder and principal designer at Spotlight Style.
By stepping out of your comfort zone and switching things up a bit, you can create a cohesive look that still brings character and depth to your home. Here are five designer tips to steer you in the right direction.
Mix Wood Tones
Just because one of your surfaces is natural white oak doesn't mean everything in the same room needs to follow suit.
“We love mixing dark wood tones with light tones and everything in between,” says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer at Gray Oak Studio.
Repeating wood tones can make a room feel cohesive, but you don't need to use the same tone everywhere. Think outside the box and look for subtle ways to tie the space together, such as repeating a wood tone in an art frame or decorative tray.
Give Your Kitchen Island Its Own Look
Believe it or not, your island does not have to match your kitchen countertops in every possible way.
“Choose a more exciting stone for your island. You can even miter it two inches thick instead of keeping everything the standard 1.25-inch thickness,” explains Gaelle Dudley, founder and creative director at GLDESIGN.
Get Creative With Your Dining Room Chairs
Dining chairs are almost always purchased as a matching set, but sourcing different styles from flea markets or Facebook Marketplace can give your dining room a fun, unexpected look.
“Select just one element from the table that will be repeated in the chairs, and go with something from a different collection or even an entirely different furniture line,” says Pattie Kelly, certified interior decorator and owner of Inspired Home Interiors.
Consider the height of the chairs (so that they still make sense together at the table) and how much room you have to pull them out in (so you’re not running into the wall behind them).
Let Your Artwork Disagree
The most interesting homes display a mix of different art styles. Instead of sticking to one color palette or aesthetic, seek out pieces that contrast. For instance, Shah is a fan of contrasting graphic black-and-white drawings with gold-veined abstract canvases in various rooms of the home.
Speaking of artwork, as the space pictured above by Nina Garbiras illustrates, don’t be afraid to mix and match your frame materials. Just keep one element consistent, like the mat size or the frame width, so that it still has a curated (not chaotic) feel.
Vary Your Finishes
Just because you’re choosing one type of fixture finish doesn’t mean you have to repeat it everywhere. In fact, your space will look more “expensive” if you match shiny finishes very minimally.
For example, the above space by Vestige Home showcases how well brass and matte-black hardware can play off each other, adding depth, harmony, and visual interest. Choosing to go with one finish throughout this space would’ve become too matchy-matchy very quickly.
