Tips for Mixing Modern and Traditional Furniture

When it comes to choosing furniture, people tend to be particular. That makes sense, as such pieces can be rather expensive, at least if you want something more involved than milk crates. You want furniture that is comfortable and made of lasting quality, and that usually means investing a fair bit of money.

There is more than money to consider, though. When it comes time to picking furniture, you also want something that works well with your sense of style. That can be a problem when mixing different aesthetics, especially with furniture. If you purchase some traditional pieces, like Amish Furniture Factory tables, but have a lot of modern pieces in use, you want them all to work together. Replacing furniture just because of clashing looks isn’t ideal, and, with the right ideas and effort, you won’t have to face such a decision.

Tips for Mixing Modern and Traditional Furniture

Decide which style is dominant

To start, it helps to decide which style is the dominant aesthetic you want or have to work with. Conflicting styles can contrast and complement each other in wonderful ways, but one of the styles needs to be at the forefront for such looks to work.

For example, if you have a lot of older pieces, you can make use of them for the main style, and then add a few modern odds and ends, like lamps, to accent the overall décor. The same can be done in reverse, with modern furniture accented by some antique pieces, or an old coffee table or two.

Don’t neglect the second style, either. One or two bits or bobs won’t really stand out amidst a stronger style. Look over what you have and what you want. That will give you some visuals to help envision your style.

Embrace contrast

You’re already creating contrast by mixing different design styles, so you should make sure to enjoy that to the fullest extent possible. As previously mentioned, accenting a modern sofa with some traditional coffee tables or similar furniture, like that found at Amish Furniture Factory, can provide a great contrast that stands out in a fun and complimentary way.

The reverse is, again possible as well. as long as you have a dominant style in mind, the right accents can provide a lovely contrast that keeps the eye entertained without the worry of strain or conflicting décor.

Scale matters

When planning your design, remember to take the actual sizes of the pieces into account. If that coffee table is one of the big kinds meant to be in the middle of the room instead of more like an end table, it might not fit along with the sitting furniture.

Large pieces tend to dominate the scene they are involved in, so remember that when designing. Scale is not just in comparison to the pieces to each other, but also the furniture in the setting you place them. A wooden bookcase against the wall is usually fine, but a wall of them in a small apartment living room might be a bit much.

Pick a mood

When designing a room’s décor, you want to consider the sort of mood each room represents. The kitchen needs to be open and functional, the bedroom cozy and intimate, and the like. The right colors and décor will help such tones and styles, and this is true when mixing them up as well.

Lighter colors are ideal for welcoming places like the living room, so lighter colored pieces, modern or wooden, work well there. for more intimate places, such as the bedroom, darker colors and pieces tend to work better. The same is true in regards to aesthetics, and ultimately the look is up to you and your preferences.

Spacing is important

This goes back to the compliments and contrasts. You want the different styles to work together. Having modern furniture on one side of the room and antique wooden pieces tends to create too much contrast, drawing the eye in ways you likely don’t want. a modern end table across from the old coffee table, though, will work a lot better.

Spacing with furniture can be tricky because you need to remember the open spaces for living, walking, and playing. A tape measure and some doodles to figure out the locations of different pieces can help a lot here.

Conflicting styles can be made to work together. Old and new can come together to form a blended style. For that to happen though takes some careful planning, spacing, and forethought. Whether you are following trends or not... Color, aesthetics, spacing, and scale all need to be considered when planning out a mixed décor scheme.

It may sound like a lot of work to get such a blended style to work, but it also allows for a lot of creativity in design. Besides, if you’re going to spend money on quality furniture and décor, you want to make sure it looks good.

Until next time,