Different styles from different times: how can we make it all work together?
Whether in your first apartment or your third house, we all have some furniture that is mismatched and not quite coordinated. You might have inherited Aunt Ida’s precious curio cabinet and two of her brown Naugahyde chairs that you just don’t have the heart to throw out yet. Mix in gifts from your wedding, a sofa you bought on Craigslist, as well as that futon from your college days that has miraculously survived four moves and a child, and what you’ve got is a patchwork of furniture and décor that might not be your style at all.
Creating Style Tip #1: Figure Out What Style You Like
Before you even begin to put together a look, you need to decide what you like.
Start a file: clip things from magazines that you like, bookmark websites of design ideas that impress you. Then when you’ve gathered a few, look through them and see what they have in common.
Are you modern and sleek? Or are you more French country? Perhaps Cape Cod cottage style is more your thing. Don’t worry about the labels and just go with what you like and what works for your family.
Creating Style Tip #2: Take A Look At What You’ve Already Got
It’s time to take a look at the furniture that you already own: what you like, what works, what you hate, what needs to be replaced, or what can be salvaged with a little makeover.
This bench used to be lime green.
Look what a difference paint and a new pillow make!
Be ruthless in deciding what needs to go and think about what you could replace those pieces with that might serve more than one purpose. For example, benches for the living room that double as storage space for the kids’ toys are an ideal solution.
Hampton Double Storage Bench in Grey
Creating Style Tip #3: Link Pieces With Color And Accessories
You can add a lot of style by changing up your wall color, adding pillows and art, all accents that bring in the style you’ve decided upon without being overwhelming.
Bold colors can cut across and tie together different styles beautifully and all without being ‘matchy’.
After all, nobody said you had to make all the changes at once: you can gradually shift to your chosen style over time. And have fun with the process! It’s supposed to be a reflection of you but you aren’t being graded on it so relax and enjoy it!
Creating Style Tip #4: Create A Focal Point
By having one outstanding piece of furniture, art or ornament, you can draw the eye of everyone who enters the room to that one piece. The fireplace in the image below, as originally shown on DesignSponge.com is a perfect example. It was originally hidden behind plasterboard but when brought back to life, with the modern furniture and cool accents, it becomes the focal point of the room.
Wouldn’t this faux fur double bench look outstanding in that room? Add a clear tray to it and turn it into a coffee table, when you need to, or simply use it as fun extra seating. An homage to the bear rug in front of the fireplace, perhaps?
You might be asking yourself whether it’s worthwhile investing in new furniture pieces while you still have young kids at home? The answer is yes! Your home is the center of your family’s universe and a place where you need to feel happy and comfortable. If your décor is standing in the way of that happiness, you can streamline your look without breaking your budget.