5 Expert Secrets to Mixing Interior Design Styles
Now that you’re familiar with well-known design styles, let’s explore five tried-and-tested ways to seamlessly blend them and create a cohesive, stylish home.
1. It All Starts With You
The first step to successfully mixing styles begins with you.
Choose one primary style as your foundation, then thoughtfully incorporate elements from one or two complementary styles. This creates a cohesive look while allowing for creative expression.
Before mixing aesthetics, take a moment to define what resonates with you. List five adjectives describing how you want your home to feel. Would you like it to be cosy, elegant, bold, relaxed, or futuristic? Think about places that inspire you, such as travel destinations or restaurants.
Once you identify a dominant style, you can integrate complementary styles to create a cohesive blend.
Top tip:
For example, suppose you love Mid-Century Modern and appreciate the grandeur of Art Deco. In that case, you can combine the clean lines of Mid-Century furniture with the luxurious metallic details of Art Deco to create a sophisticated fusion.
2. Incorporate Your Home’s Architecture
Before you pick your style combinations, look at the shapes and characteristics of your home’s architectural features.
Ask yourself what type of interior suits your home. Things like period mouldings, exposed beams, or modern layouts are vital to the overall design. Emphasising these features, rather than fighting against them, can make styles feel more cohesive and intentional.
Top Tip:
For example, in a Victorian home with ornate mouldings, balance these traditional architectural elements with sleek, contemporary furniture to create an engaging dialogue between old and new. Similarly, a modern apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows might pair well with mid-century furniture, emphasising clean lines while adding warmth through organic shapes and materials.
3. Create Colour Harmony & Palettes
Colour is your most powerful tool for harmonising. A well-curated colour scheme can bridge different aesthetics and make them feel intentional rather than mismatched.
Choose 3-4 dominant colours that work across your chosen styles.
Use neutral tones as a base, allowing statement pieces or bolder hues to shine.
Experiment with accent colours to highlight elements from each style.
Top tip:
If you're combining industrial and bohemian styles, you might choose:
Base colours: warm greys and deep browns (industrial)
Accent colours: rich jewel tones and earthy terracottas (bohemian)
This approach honours both styles while creating a cohesive look. Industrial elements provide structure, while bohemian accents add warmth and personality.
Click here to learn how to create a colour scheme for your home with our interior designer’s colour wheel.
4. Statement Pieces: Layering, Textures and Accessories
Furniture and accessories serve as the defining elements of your blended interior. Thoughtful layering of textures and materials can unite seemingly different interior design styles.
To achieve a cohesive mix:
Combine old and new: Pair vintage or antique pieces with sleek, modern furnishings.
Introduce meaningful decor: Personal touches, like handcrafted items or art, create a unique and authentic space.
Vary materials: Mix matte finishes with glossy textures or organic elements like wood with industrial metals.
Inspo
Take the popular Modern Farmhouse blend, which combines rustic elements with minimalist design. This style works by:
Mixing warm woods with sleek metals
Incorporating both rough and smooth textures
Balancing traditional patterns with clean lines
Using natural materials alongside modern finishes
The key is to create contrast while maintaining harmony. A classic, gorgeous example of blending is pairing a sleek, modern sofa with rustic wooden side tables or combining industrial lighting fixtures with soft, traditional textiles.
5. Telling Your Story
The most successful blended styles of interior design reflect the personality and experiences of those who live there. Consider the "Soho House Look," which combines mid-century, traditional, and rustic elements to create sophisticated and lived-in spaces. This style works because it embraces authenticity over perfection.
To personalise your blended style:
Incorporate art and sculptures that resonate with you
Display meaningful objects from different eras
Mix vintage finds with contemporary pieces
Allow your style to evolve naturally over time
Think about how you and your family live in the space
Top tip:
To get you started, why not explore some trending hybrid aesthetics?
Modern Farmhouse: A mix of Rustic charm and Minimalist simplicity.
Palm Springs Chic: A fusion of Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco glamour.
Biophilic Design: A blend of Scandinavian and Boho with a nature-inspired aesthetic.
Bridgerton Look: Combining Traditional, Romantic, and Maximalist styles for a regal yet whimsical feel.
Read our interior design trends blog below for 2025 for more inspo.
Ready to Master the Art of Style Blending?
While these guidelines provide an introduction, truly mastering the art of blending different interior design styles requires deeper insight and practical knowledge. That's where our course, How to Mix Styles with Confidence
Led by acclaimed interior designer Lola Swift, this comprehensive course will take you beyond the basics, helping you develop the confidence to create truly unique and personalised spaces. Through engaging video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and hands-on exercises, you'll learn:
The key characteristics of 8 popular interior styles
How to incorporate your home's architectural heritage
Trending style combinations that work
Techniques for creating colour harmony
Methods for defining your signature style
Real-world case studies of successful style blending
For just £49, you'll gain access to:
Expert guidance from Lola Swift
Engaging video tutorials
An inspiration station filled with dreamy interiors and mood boards
Practical tips for creating original, purposeful spaces
The course is self-paced and takes approximately 3 hours to complete, but you can pause and return anytime. Whether planning a complete home renovation or simply wanting to refresh your space, this masterclass will give you the tools and confidence to create a home that reflects your signature style.
Ready to transform your space?
Begin your journey toward creating a beautiful home.
