When undertaking a remodel, addition, or any other large-scale home project, one of the most exciting steps in the process is the interior design. It’s where all those ‘nice-to-have’ ideas from over the years come together into a final, completed result.
Ok, it’s not as simple as everything automatically coming together for a perfect end result – there’s a lot of work that goes into any design – but the end result makes it almost feel effortless.
When it comes purely to the look of a room, our clients often have one question: how do I make everything look like it belongs together? No matter what project you’ve undertaken, you’ll have a mixture of old and new, and it can be tricky to know how to blend everything together in a way that feels right.
Use these design tips to help mix different design styles in one room.
Related Content: Function-First Design: An Interview with Interior Designer Steph Morris
Choose a Neutral Base
One of the easiest ways to combine multiple decor styles and items all in one place is to ensure that you have a neutral starting point. This could be the floor or the walls, or both!
Note that neutral doesn’t mean “white, black, or gray.” It just means picking colors and textiles that complement a huge variety of surfaces, items, and other colors.
Make a Plan for Old Pieces During the Remodel
No matter the scale of your project, you’ll want to keep at least some of the furniture, decor, and items you already own. In many of our projects, our clients don’t purchase any new furniture at all! During the planning for your remodel, be sure to identify pieces that you will for sure be hanging on to. This ensures that the overall design, flow, and style of the completed room will work in harmony with what you already have.
You’ll find this most often when tackling bedrooms and living rooms – it’s impractical to replace big pieces of furniture, so the new space needs to be able to work with the existing bed, couches, entertainment stand, etc. Account for this when undertaking a redesign, so you know how the old items will fit in the new space.
Repetition to Create Balance
This example from a client’s Apple Valley home expertly shows how to create patterns with a mixture of new and old pieces. The new, round chandelier echoes the shape of the existing table and rug. Blues and reds are repeated throughout furniture and decor to create subtle repetition.
Human brains are hardwired to seek out patterns, and you can use this to your advantage to effortlessly combine the old and and new. This doesn’t have to mean a literal patterned wallpaper or tile – it could be as simple as how you place items on shelves and where you hang pictures. Instead of placing like objects together, scatter them throughout the room to create these patterns. Repeat shapes throughout the room to create patterns and balance.
Pick the Right Partner
Mixing decor is just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure a successful project, you need to choose the right partner. Titus Contracting is a Design-Build firm: which means that both the design and function of your space are considered at every step of the process.
Related Content: What Does it Mean to Work with a Design-Build Firm?
If you’re considering undertaking a home improvement project, consider Titus Contracting as your premier home remodeling partner.
Free Home Remodeling Guide:
Interior Designer, Architect, or Contractor: What’s the Difference and Why it Matters
If you’re planning a home renovation, you’ll need a licensed contractor in your corner.
Someone to bring your plans to life, handle necessary permits, and ensure everything’s up to code.
But do you need an interior designer for a home remodel?
What types of building projects require an architect?
Learn more about the role of a general contractor and what you can expect.
Titus Contracting is a full-service remodeling company offering commercial and residential construction. We have an office in Burnsville, Minnesota and work throughout the Twin Cities.
