Wood furniture has always been – and probably always will be – the gold standard of fine furnishings.
As durable as it is beautiful, wood furniture can take on virtually any style and work with any décor scheme. Unfortunately, we have been programmed to believe that all of your wood furniture must match, both in wood species and finish color.
Today, however, professional interior designers don’t hesitate to mix and match styles, colors or materials. This is good news for you because, if you aren’t ready to purchase all new furnishings, you can work in one or two pieces at a time.
To assist you in integrating different types of wood furniture in your décor, follow these designer tips.
Select Matching Color Families
If you prefer to select wood furniture pieces with different types of wood grain, try instead to choose finish colors that share common elements.
For example, mix and match pieces with all warm or all cool tones. Combine cooler maple with ash or beech pieces. Red oak furnishings can work well with cherry.
If you want to make your current furnishings really pop, add a single, prominent piece that contrasts highly with the existing wood.
Match the Grain in Wood Furniture
Each wood species features a unique grain pattern.
For example, you could mix curly maple pieces with other curly-grained species such as birch or cherry. Many oak and pine species have similar grain patterns, as does alder.
For a refresher course on wood grains, tones and color families, you can browse the wood database for a comprehensive visual comparison.
If you want to mix and match your wood grains (or color families or undertones), you can make it work by contrasting textures. A rustic or rough textured piece can work well when combined with highly polished pieces of contrasting wood furniture.
Use Home Accessories to Create Cohesion
Another effective way to bring cohesion to eclectic wood furniture pieces involves the use of accessories and textiles.
Choose a single color for accessorizing the space, and then use that color in some way with each piece. For example, use royal blue toss pillows on sofas and chairs and a vase of the same color on the end table. When you create a theme with your accent color, the juxtaposition of wood species or colors will feel more cohesive.
One word of warning: Don’t select an accent color that is too similar to any of the wood tones. Stick with jewel tones, primary colors or funky neons, depending on your décor style and preferences.
You can also use home accessories, lighting or rugs as a buffer between contrasting pieces. For example, use a large area rug under the pieces that match, while keeping the contrasting pieces on the bare floor. Or add a dramatic pendant light fixture over a stand-alone piece to draw the eye away upward.
Whatever colors, finishes and styles you prefer in your fine furnishings, you can create a beautiful interior design with a little professional advice.
Guild Hall Home Furnishings is your locally owned and operated expert in fine furnishings and home décor. Our beautiful Salt Lake City showroom will inspire you, while our professional interior design consultants help you select the perfect pieces to complete your home or office décor. Visit us today to browse our beautiful selection of fine wood furniture.
