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Whether you're blending new furniture with old, downsizing to a smaller space, or simply refreshing your home on a budget, the challenge of mixing and matching furniture can feel overwhelming. It's not just about taste—it’s about cohesion, scale, colour, and functionality.
To help you avoid costly mistakes and design fatigue, we’ve collected expert-backed tips,including from La-Z-Boy’s interior designer Zeina Badawi, to help you create rooms that feel intentional, balanced, and uniquely yours.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need to match furniture exactly—complementing colours and styles create a more curated look.
- The psychology of colour can influence how you feel in a space, so pick tones that match your goals.
- Contrasting furniture styles work well when tied together by shape, finish, or scale.
- Patterns should vary in scale and intensity, while sharing a consistent colour palette.
- Focal points give structure to your room layout and influence furniture arrangement.
Successful mixing relies on balance and rhythm, not uniformity. - Understanding your personal preferences will help you avoid buying pieces that clash later.
In This Article…
- How to Match Colours (the Right Way)
- Mixing Furniture Styles with Confidence
- How to Layer Patterns Without Chaos
- Creating a Balanced Focal Point
- FAQs: Common Furniture Mixing Mistakes Answered
1. How to Match Colours (the Right Way)
Zeina has been an interior designer with over a decade of experience at La-Z-Boy Kanata. With her experience, she has seen countless clients try to replicate a fabric colour only to be disappointed by the results.
“Even if you get close, it can still look like a mismatch—like you tried and didn’t quite get there,” she explains. “It’s much better to go with contrast and coordination than imitation.”
The better strategy? Aim to complement, not copy. For example, if your existing sofa is a cool-toned grey, consider introducing a warmer tone like taupe or navy for a potential new accent chair in the space. Then, pull it together with a patterned pillow or throw that includes both tones.
There are useful tools out there, like the Adobe Colour Wheel, that help with colour coordination, but if you’re looking for a simple start, decide on an anchor colour that can help keep a common colour theme within the space.
According to our colour trends article, the main colours that are trending in people’s homes are blues and greens for a more natural and relaxing vibe. To learn more, take a look at this article.
Additionally, colour psychology plays a vital role in how a space feels:
- Warm colours (reds, oranges and yellows) create energy and excitement—great for social spaces.
- Cool colours (blues, greens and purples) are calming—ideal for bedrooms or relaxation zones.
Zeina says it could be best practice to test fabric or colour swatches in your room at different times of day to see how light affects the tone. Even a subtle undertone can make or break your design.
2. Mixing Furniture Styles with Confidence
Combining furniture from different design styles adds a personal touch to your space, but it requires intention to avoid chaos. “The key is not to avoid mixing, it's learning how to blend effectively,” says Zeina.
To start, focus on your main furniture pieces, like a sofa, a bed, or a dining table, and define a dominant style. Then, feel free to incorporate contrasting pieces, but ensure they share one or more design elements like:
- Matching materials or finishes: Repeating metal types, wood tones, or fabric textures can tie it all together.
- Proportionate scale: Avoid placing a petite side table next to an oversized sectional.
- Similar silhouettes: Pieces with shared curves, leg shapes, or line weight.
Zeina notes that the last point, having similar silhouettes, may not matter as much as the other three. “When it comes to consistency, people care more about matching upholstery patterns instead of finding the same set of furniture pieces,” she says.
In fact, a lot of pieces at La-Z-Boy are very versatile in multiple different spaces. For example, Transitional, Scandinavian, and mid-century modern pieces we carry tend to mix easily with both traditional and contemporary looks.
3. How to Layer Textures & Patterns Without Chaos
Speaking of matching furniture patterns, matching patterns can be a powerful design tool. Although they can add depth, energy, and interest, patterns in a room can also create visual clutter if used without careful planning.
To get pattern mixing right, Zeina suggests starting by editing your colour palette—stick to two or three core shades, including your anchor colour, to keep things cohesive. Mix up the patterns to add visual interest (like using different prints on sofa pillows), but stay within your chosen palette.
Aim for 2–3 patterns per piece and no more than five per room. To avoid overload, balance busy prints with solid elements like neutral walls, rugs, or large furniture pieces—these act as resting places for the eyes.
Think about variety in both scale and intensity: combine large prints like florals with smaller ones such as pinstripes or houndstooth, and match bold patterns with bolds and soft with soft.
Zeina also recommends using a “squint test.” If your eyes blur the patterns together too much when squinting, the visual competition is too high. Rearrange until there’s contrast in both scale and texture. To learn more about decorating in layers, take a look at this article.
4. Creating a Balanced Focal Point
Every room should have a focal point, a place where your eye lands first. Whether it’s a fireplace, dramatic artwork, or a statement piece of furniture, this feature helps ground the room and guide layout decisions.
Once you identify the focal point:
- Arrange main furniture, like sofas or beds, in alignment with it.
- Use symmetry where possible, like two chairs flanking a fireplace or a centred coffee table beneath a chandelier.
- Layer with intention: Secondary elements like rugs, side tables, and lighting should enhance, not compete with, the central feature.
“If your space doesn’t have a natural focal point, create one using a gallery wall, a bold headboard, or an oversized mirror. Then build your layout around it,” adds Zeina.
Balance doesn’t mean everything must be symmetrical. It means all elements feel intentional, with no area visually overpowering another. To learn more about Furniture Placement Tips, take a look at this article.
5. FAQs: Common Furniture Mixing Mistakes Answered
How do I make mismatched furniture look intentional?
Use a unifying element across your pieces, like matching throw pillows, similar finishes, or repeated shapes. This visual consistency helps tie the room together, even when styles vary.
Can I mix modern and traditional furniture styles?
Yes, and it’s a popular design approach known as “transitional” style. To do it successfully, pair clean lines with classic details, and repeat one or two materials (e.g., a modern glass table with a traditional wooden base).
Is it okay to mix metal finishes or wood tones?
Definitely. Try to stick with two finish types and balance their use throughout the space. For example, if your coffee table has black iron legs, repeat that finish on a lamp or hardware.
To learn more about Mixing and Matching Wood Tones, take a look at this article.
What if I regret buying a mismatched piece?
Return policies exist for a reason, but before returning, try to re-style the room around the new piece. Add accessories or lighting that connect it visually to the rest of your space.
What's Next?
With these tips, you’re ready to mix and match wood tones in your home confidently. At La-Z-Boy, we offer a variety of case goods, from American Drew and Hammary to Kincaid and Canadel, each bringing a range of wood furniture options perfect for achieving this layered look.
Explore our Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston showrooms, or schedule a virtual design appointment to start creating a beautifully balanced space with wood tones. Our talented interior designers are ready to help you pick the ideal pieces to complement your style and ensure a seamless look throughout your home.
To learn more about our home decor from La-Z-Boy, take a look at our Comprehensive Home Decor Buyer’s Guide.
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