Buying furniture for your home and styling it within a space is arguably one of the most satisfying stages of interior design. It's the moment each room really comes together with homey additions and a huge dose of personality. Plus, who doesn't love a good homeware shopping spree?
And though it might be one of the most enjoyable phases, it's also an incredibly important one. The right furniture will tie your schemes together, creating the balance of cozy and stylish that you've been striving for. But with the wrong furniture choices, your home can instantly feel lackluster and dull.
So, how can you ensure you make the right decisions when buying and styling furniture? House of Hive Design Co. just took to Instagram to share their furniture do's and don'ts – and they're a fool-proof way to approach making the right design decisions no matter what your interior design style.
3 furniture dos and don'ts to follow when designing your home
Don't decorate with matching furniture
While matching furniture sets might seem like an ideal way to create a sense of cohesion in a room, matching furniture and decor is a big 'don't' as far as styling is concerned, especially if you want to add interest to a scheme.
'If you're furnishing your home, absolutely do not buy all of your furniture from either the same place, with the exact same aesthetic, or having it all be completely brand new. And, avoid using the same wood tones and incorporating the same fabrics throughout,' says Kailee Blalock, co-founder at House of Hive Design Co.
Matching sets are not only outdated, but they go against this year's interior design trend for eclectic, lived-in interiors. Mixing old and new and adding a blend of styles is a much more aesthetically pleasing route to take.
If you're trying to avoid matching wood tones, this side table is an easy way to introduce more varied wood finishes.
Introducing wood tones doesn't mean all your furniture has to be completely made of wood. This ottoman adds a subtle addition.
This lounge chair offers the perfect balance of straight lines and cozy textures – ideal if your space features a lot of wood tones.
Do introduce a mixture of different shaped pieces
Speaking of eclectic interior design, contrast is key to achieving an eye-catching, visually appealing room. And there are plenty of ways to get the look.
'Do incorporate furniture with a bunch of different shapes. As you can see here we have an organic table contrasted by a linear bookshelf,' says Kailee, referring to the living room pictured in the reel.
'Another 'do' is to incorporate as many fabrics and finishes as possible without overwhelming the space. Here you can see we have leather and wood chairs paired with a beautiful wood floating bookshelf, then it becomes a bit modernized down here by adding a concrete and iron coffee table. The chequered rug gives an element of fun while still providing balance,' she adds.
Adding something unexpected, whether it's a color, pattern, or a statement furniture piece has become the go-to way to add character to a space, and it's an easy way to add a more personalized feature to your home.
The organic shape of this wooden coffee table is a welcome addition to soften a space with a more angular sofa.
Who says bookshelves have to be boring? This design has a sculptural feel to it, while remaining entirely timeless in style.
Curved sofas are a big trend this year – and it adds an unexpected feature where you more typically find more angular designs.
Don't be afraid to mix colors, styles, and eras
While you're mixing different-shaped furniture, the same approach should be taken with the color, style, and age of your furniture pieces. A room filled with just one style and hue can feel boring and lifeless, but a thoughtful mix of designs can create something more interesting.
'Don't be afraid to mix color, like having a teal blue sofa and a yellow chair. Emma Roberts' home is a perfect example as to how adding modern pieces and thrifted pieces makes a home look so homey. And if you're not a big thrifter, a good way to cheat that look is to mix a bunch of frames and have furniture with a few different wood tones.'
Mixing old and new is, well, nothing new, but it's something people often feel unsure about. But it's super easy – if you have a new sofa, try styling it with a vintage rug or an antique side table.
Whether you mix different wood tones, decorate with vintage, or play around with color, these furniture dos and don'ts are a great place to start when styling each room in your home.
