Modern Australian
Times Advertising

6 Tips for Mixing Design Styles Like a Pro

  • Written by Chloe Taylor


Each interior style is unique in its own way, creating a specific ambiance in our homes. While some accentuate simplicity and formality, others embrace playfulness and authenticity. Thus, you’re left with a difficult decision to pick one that will reflect your personality and taste. However, why narrow down your choices to just one? If your sense of style is best reflected through a combination of different designs, you can use all of them for inspiration and design your home where the best of all worlds meet.


Start with a neutral base

Introducing different interior styles to your space will provide you with an opportunity to accentuate their best features. Thus, designing a neutral backdrop will allow your pieces to stand out and a specific style to come into focus. You should opt for a neutral colour scheme for your walls that will focus on simplicity and subtlety. You can also go with a similar palette for your large furniture pieces so that you can showcase the rest of the details.


Accentuate function

 

In a room where numerous styles meet, function should be the focus. Otherwise, you’ll easily overcrowd your space with too many details and pieces, which will create a chaotic effect. Emphasising function of a room typically entails letting your furniture and other functional pieces take the central stage. This will help you define your space and lay a clear foundation for other details.


Stick to the 80/20 rule

The key to mixing different interior designs lies in picking one as the dominant style. This is referred to as the 80/20 rule, where one style is used for the 80 percent of your space as its focus. The second style should take up 20 percent of the room and you can introduce it through accent pieces. However, if you want to introduce more than two interior styles to your space, you can go with the 60/30/10 rule. In this case, the first style is used as the base and it takes up 60 percent of the room while the second style is used to complement the first one, taking up 30 percent. The third style is used to add quirky, fun details to a space and it accounts for 10 percent of the overall design.


Introduce a focal point

 

Sometimes even a single detail in a different style can completely change the feel of a space and work as a truly stunning focal point. If you want to add just one detail that will introduce a touch of another interior style to your space, you should accentuate it as the focal point. For instance, if your master bedroom features a modern design, a stylish classic bed frame design will give your room a timeless appeal and work as a mesmerising décor statement. A modern environment that focuses on minimalism and simplicity will let the classic bed frame come into focus and give your bedroom a truly authentic flair.


Find a common link

When introducing two or more different styles through several design elements, you need to create a cohesive look and visual balance in your space. Therefore, you need to find a common link between different pieces and use it to connect them. Colour is typically one of the most effective ways to link pieces in different styles and create a perfect harmony in your home. For instance, you can introduce a funky chair in a bright colour to your living room and then use the same hue for accent details such as a lamp or throw pillows. Shape and lines are also another great way to create a connection between different styles and fill your space with a sense of unity. Finally, you can also introduce different pieces that convey the same theme for a unified look.


Use art to bring in style

 

Not only will artwork elevate your home décor, but it will also enable you to mix different interior styles. For instance, a collection of traditional artwork with vintage framing can be set against a modern design. Similarly, you can also spice up a traditional space with abstract paintings that will add a modern touch to your home. What’s even better is the fact that you can introduce different works of art, including paintings, posters, photographs and even sculptures. You can also experiment with their framing and arrangement, giving a unique flair to your home.

Mixing different interior styles will create an authentic ambience in your home, enabling you to find your unique expression and style.

 

Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Summer: What Most Homeowners Overlook

As temperatures rise, many homeowners switch on their air conditioning for the first time in months — only to find it’s not performing the way i...

What Actually Adds Value to Properties in Newcastle

Newcastle has seen steady growth over the past few years, with more buyers looking beyond Sydney for lifestyle, space, and long-term value. As dema...

What is Design and Build in Construction?

Imagine you’re about to start a new construction project, maybe it’s a custom home or a commercial building. You’ve got the idea, the land, an...

Commercial roof leak detection: why early action protects your building

Water ingress is one of the most disruptive and costly issues facing commercial properties. For property managers and facilities teams, even a minor...

Custom Photo Frames: Turning Everyday Moments into Lasting Displays

Photos capture moments, but how you display them determines how they’re experienced every day. A meaningful photograph deserves more than a generi...

Managed IT Services: A Smarter, More Predictable Way to Run Your Business Technology

If you’ve ever had your systems go down in the middle of a busy day, you’ll know how quickly things can unravel. Phones stop ringing, emails sto...

Landscaping Geelong — Coastal Elegance Meets Practical Design

A Landscape Shaped by Location Geelong occupies a unique position within Victoria’s broader landscape. It carries the energy of a growing city, y...

Electric Adjustable Beds: A Simpler Way To Sleep Better

Sleep should feel natural. It should come easily, without discomfort, without constant repositioning, and without waking up feeling sore. But for ma...

Healthy Snacking Sorted: Premium Beef Jerky

In today's fast-paced world, finding a snack that's both satisfying and genuinely good for you can feel like a mission. Many readily available optio...

What to Know Before Getting Dental Implants: A Guide for First-Time Patients

Dental implants Perth patients often look for a long-term solution for missing teeth without the hassle of dentures or bridges. If you are thinking ...

Why Protective Packaging Matters More Than Ever In Modern Shipping

In today’s fast-paced world of logistics and eCommerce, ensuring that products reach customers safely is a top priority. This is where a bubble wrap...

Pest Control Albury: Protecting Your Property From Hidden Damage And Health Risks

Pests rarely announce their arrival. They creep into spaces quietly, turning small, unnoticed corners into breeding grounds for bigger problems. Tha...

Why Root Canal Treatment Melbourne Is Essential For Saving Natural Teeth

Tooth pain has a way of demanding attention at the worst possible time. When the discomfort becomes persistent and intense, it often signals an infe...

How Bird Flight Diverters Help Protect Wildlife Around Power Infrastructure

Power infrastructure plays an essential role in modern life, but it can also create risks for wildlife, particularly birds moving through establishe...

What Businesses Should Look for in a Commercial Coffee Partner

Choosing a commercial coffee partner is not the same as choosing a machine. It is a broader decision that affects beverage quality, staff efficiency...

3PL Logistics Australia Driving Smarter Supply Chains And Faster Deliveries

In a world where customers expect speed almost as much as quality, logistics has become the silent heartbeat of every successful business. Behind th...

Why Professional Electrical Services Are Essential For Modern Properties

Electricity powers almost every aspect of daily life, from lighting and appliances to complex systems in homes and businesses. This makes choosing a...

What Not to Pack When Moving: The Essential Guide to Smart Packing

Moving house is one of those all-encompassing events in life and most people focus their energy on deciding what to pack. But knowing what not to pa...

LIFE STYLE

Preparing Your Air Conditioner for Summer: What Most Homeowners Overlook

As temperatures rise, many homeowners switch on their air conditioning for the first time in months — only to find it’s not performing the way it should. Whether it’s weak...

What Actually Adds Value to Properties in Newcastle

Newcastle has seen steady growth over the past few years, with more buyers looking beyond Sydney for lifestyle, space, and long-term value. As demand increases, property owners are starting to look...

Electric Adjustable Beds: A Simpler Way To Sleep Better

Sleep should feel natural. It should come easily, without discomfort, without constant repositioning, and without waking up feeling sore. But for many Australians, especially later in life, sleep becomes something...

What Not to Pack When Moving: The Essential Guide to Smart Packing

Moving house is one of those all-encompassing events in life and most people focus their energy on deciding what to pack. But knowing what not to pack when moving is...

The Ultimate Guide to Automating Your Weekend Yard Chores

We all look forward to the weekend as a chance to unwind after a long week of work. You probably picture yourself relaxing on the patio with a cold drink...

Backyard Aesthetics Decoded: Mediterranean, Coastal, Retro, Rustic, and Beyond

Backyard design has come a long way from a patch of lawn, a barbecue in the corner, and a few chairs chosen purely for practicality. Today, outdoor spaces are being...