Mixing Furniture Styles the Right Way for a Cohesive Look

Posted by Matthew Ressler on April 29, 2025

Mixing furniture styles is like creating a playlist of all of your favorite songs instead of listening to the same tracks over and over again on a single album. Each piece brings its unique vibe that feels personal and interesting rather than cookie-cutter perfect.

The best part is that there’s no right way to do it. Your home should reflect what you love, not what a catalog says should go together. If you’re ready to take your home from basic to uniquely yours, here are some tips for mixing furniture styles like a pro.

Do You Have to Match All of Your Furniture?

Matching furniture sets were once considered the gold standard of interior design, but today’s homes tell a different story. In fact, perfectly coordinated furniture can make your space feel outdated and like a showroom rather than a home with personality and character. Intentionally mixed pieces create rooms that feel like they've been collected over time and reflect your taste and experiences.

Can You Have Mismatched Wood Furniture?

Absolutely yes! Multiple wood tones add depth and character to a space. When mixing wood finishes, consider the following:

Choose pieces with common undertones (warm, cool, or neutral)
Create contrast between dark and light finishes
Look for similar wood grain patterns, especially when undertones don’t match
Place different wood tones evenly throughout the room for balance

For example, a dining room with a rich mahogany table pairs well with red oak chairs as they both share warm undertones. Or try mixing a honey-colored maple bookshelf with cherry side tables in the living room. The trick is to mix lighter woods with larger pieces and darker woods with smaller accent pieces. This prevents the room from feeling heavy and cramped.

What are the Benefits of Blending Furniture Styles?

When you start mixing furniture styles, you’re creating a visual story that tells visitors who you are the moment they walk through the door. Here are three reasons why blending different furniture styles is worth trying:

Your room instantly becomes more interesting to look at. Different styles create a visual experience that draws people in and gives them something to appreciate beyond, “Oh, nice sofa set.”
You may save money in the long run. When one piece wears out or you’re ready for a change, you only need to replace that single item, not an entire matching collection.
You can design and decorate your home without limits. When you’re not tied to matching everything, that once-in-a-lifetime vintage find can fit right in.

How to Mix and Match Furniture Styles

Before you start throwing a bunch of styles together, take a step back and take a breath. There are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure your space feels intentional rather than chaotic.

Start with a Focal Point

A focal point naturally draws attention and gives the eye a place to rest first. It anchors the space and creates a natural starting point for building your layout. This could be architectural, like a fireplace, window view, or built-in bookcase; however, it could also be a piece of furniture.

Consider something unexpected like cordaroys’ Faux Fur Bean Bag in Cow Print. This convertible bean bag chair is a guaranteed conversation-starter that works well in modern farmhouse, eclectic, or contemporary spaces where its bold pattern adds visual interest while providing a comfortable seating option.

When building around a statement piece like this, complement rather than compete. Balance the boldness of the cow print with neutrals, warm browns, and creamy whites. An espresso brown leather sofa or a natural wood coffee table would pair well with this chair.

Layer Textures and Patterns

Texture adds depth that color alone can’t achieve. When mixing furniture styles, layering textures keeps the viewer engaged and makes a space feel complete.

Try these strategies to create a space that exudes well-planned style and creativity:

Toss a chunky knit throw on a sleek leather sofa
Place a rough-hewn wooden bowl on a glossy marble table
Layer a fluffy shag rug over smooth hardwood floors
Add woven baskets next to streamlined furniture
Mix metallic accents with natural stone or wood elements

Don’t overthink it. If everything in your room is super plush and soft, add something with a bit of structure. If you have lots of hard surfaces, soften them up with textiles.

To put this into practice, pair a cordaroys Full-Grain Faux Leather Bean Bag in Castlerock with our Plush Corduroy XXL Blanket in Ocean Blue. The cool, smooth surface of the bean bag creates a beautiful contrast to the soft, ridged texture of the corduroy. Together, they make a spot that’s sophisticated enough for guests, but still casual enough for a quick mid-day nap.

Use a Consistent Color Palette

Professional designers often rely on a simple, yet effective, rule for interior colors: the 60-30-10 rule. Here’s how it works:

60% of your space should feature your dominant color (walls, flooring, large furniture)
30% should incorporate your secondary color (accent furniture, window treatments)
10% should showcase your accent color (accessories, artwork, small decor)

This tactic will help tie your mixed furniture pieces together and will prevent any single color from overwhelming your space. For example, in a nature-inspired palette, you could start with warm taupe walls and furniture (60%), add wooden and bronze accents (30%), and finish with a cordaroys green chenille bean bag alongside plants and botanical prints (10%).

Monochromatic schemes can work with this rule, too. Picture pale sky-blue walls, a white sofa with blue undertones, medium-toned blue curtains, a navy accent chair, and royal blue throw pillows, artwork, and decorative objects. The varying blue intensities create depth while also making the space seem put together and calming.

Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works for you! Remember, your happy place in any space.

Combine Different Furniture Shapes

Think about the basic shapes in your room right now. Are they all boxy and angular? All curved and soft? Just as a great outfit combines different silhouettes, your room can benefit from a mix of shapes that keep the eye moving and interested. Here’s what to consider:

Pair a rectangular sofa with a round bean bag chair or an oval coffee table
Add curved lamps to rooms with mostly straight-lined furniture
Place a funky-shaped mirror above a structured console table
Use rounded dining chairs with a rectangular table
Vary heights in the room, like nesting tables

Another option to make a rigid space more interesting and diverse is to add a small, round pouf to an accent chair or to go with a bean bag. Our poufs provide extra seating, a footrest, or a side table surface while breaking up angular furniture arrangements and softening the overall look.

Mistakes to Avoid When Mixing Furniture Styles

Even the design pros make mistakes when mixing furniture styles, but with a few tips, you can avoid the most common pitfalls. Here’s what not to do as you design your space:

Don’t overcrowd your room with too many pieces. This creates visual chaos.
Don’t mismatch scales, like pairing tiny accent tables with oversized sectionals.
Don’t forget about the functionality of furniture. Multifunctional furniture gives each piece a job, allowing the pieces to work seamlessly together.
Don’t design a room without a clear focal point to anchor the design.

Complement Your Furniture With cordaroys!

As you experiment with combining different furniture styles, remember that comfort should never be sacrificed for style. cordaroys’ convertible bean bag chairs, poufs, and blankets offer the perfect opportunity to add personality and comfort to your home, while blending seamlessly in with your other furniture. So go ahead, break the matching-set rules, and discover the joy of creating a home that’s unmistakably yours!