When considering how to mix and match furniture for the living room, there are a few key rules to bear in mind. Furnishing your home with items from different sets or collections can be an excellent way to incorporate your personal style into your interior design, but you need to be careful to avoid making the room appear cluttered or messy. There are many reasons to learn how to mix and match furniture for the living room, including the need to replace a single item without purchasing a whole new set, wanting to include your personality in your home's decor, or simply needing more items than a collection includes.
The good news is that by following these few simple rules, you can create a living room that looks better than "just okay"–you can create a living room that looks great! Here are 4 tips from the design experts at Mor Furniture for Less, a premier living room store for furniture and home accents, to help you make it happen.
1) Pick a Theme Color
If you're looking for how to mix and match furniture for a living room, scan your space to identify what color palette you're using. If nothing seems to match at all, it may be time for a color-overhaul. One way to effectively mix and match furniture in a way that is pleasing to the eye is to pick a color or a small range of colors and stick to it (or them). You can then incorporate various fabrics, finishes, and upholsteries to create one cohesive look.
For example, perhaps you're into rich neutrals such as dark brown and warm beige. Pick a few pieces in these colors, such as a dark brown leather sectional with beige throw pillows, and a beige chair with a dark brown faux-fur throw as an accent. None of the pieces have the same material or finish, yet because they are the same colors, they complement each other perfectly.
Tip: It's best to view furniture pieces in-person before you decide to purchase, particularly if they are by different designers or from different collections. Additionally, view the pieces in various lights, as different settings can bring out different color undertones.
2) Stick to One Style
It's no secret that sometimes different styles just clash. Have you ever tried mixing farmhouse with an Art Deco, for example? While both styles may be aesthetically pleasing on their own, when you bring the two together, it can create business, confusion, and can appear disjointed. This is because the different lines, shapes, and patterns draw the eye in many different directions all at the same time, and the human brain isn't sure where to focus. The result is a feeling of being overwhelmed, of being jumbled, and not feeling settled and comfortable as one should in an inviting living room.
The solution to this problem is to pick one main style and to stick with it for the entire room. Luckily, these days many designers and brands use a blend of styles in their furniture lines, meaning you are likely to find cross-over pieces that mix and match quite well. You may even be able to sneak in a tiny element of that farmhouse vibe.
Tip: Pick a unifying material to use throughout the room, such as exposed metal or natural wood. Incorporate this element into the pieces you are mixing and matching, and it will create one seamless look. You won't even know the furniture pieces didn't originally go together!
3) Utilize Home Accents
One way to take the focus a little bit off of your furniture and draw the eye more toward the room as a whole is to choose home accents from the same line. Or, choose accents that look like they go together perfectly. You can do this in several ways. You can unify home accents by material (such as the natural wood or metal mentioned above), by color, or by another element such as theme (think sports or animals).
Adding these elements throughout the room, as wall art, coasters, throw pillows, and more, you bring one underlying theme to the bigger picture.
Tip: Try to limit home accents that don't jive with the others, such as a random blanket or a singular sparkly picture frame in an otherwise matte-finished room. It can throw off the vibe and give the same cluttered appearance as mixed styles of furniture.
4) Select a Shape
Now, we're not saying to have a living room that's full of triangles. However, picking a shape for your furniture pieces and home accents can help bring a look together. For example, perhaps all the furniture has rounded backs, or maybe it all has sleek and straight lines. Follow this pattern for the home decor as well.
Tip: Don't fall into the trap of thinking that every single item in your living room has to be the same shape. Pick a few large features and ensure they match.
Shop for Living Room Furniture Today
Whether you're looking for a whole new living room set, complete with sofas, a recliner, entertainment console, and a coffee table, or need a few home accents such as pillows and tabletop decor to complete a look you already have, shop Mor Furniture for Less today.
As the largest family-owned furniture chain on the West Coast, we focus on style, function, and, best of all, affordability. We know the importance of providing furniture pieces that your family can make the most of for years to come, at a price point you'll appreciate today.
For more advice and tips on how to mix and match furniture for a living room, visit one of our many locations in-person and speak with a design associate today. Or, shop online and browse our collection. Get free warehouse pick up or white glove delivery at real-people prices, with the best deals guaranteed.
