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How to Mix Wood Furniture Finishes
Furniture doesn't need to match to look good; add character and charm to your home with mismatched — but complementary — tones
I am an Interior Decorator in PA, stitching my urban roots into suburban spaces from NY to Philly. I am living my dream helping people achieve inspirational spaces. Visit me at www.loveyourroom.com and check out my blog for inspirational ideas.
I am an Interior Decorator in PA, stitching my urban roots into suburban... More »
A common decorating question is "How can I mix different finishes together in the same room?" Let's say you have accumulated light maple furniture, but now you lean toward dark rich cherry pieces. Or maybe you own deep chocolate brown contemporary furniture, but just inherited a beautiful mahogany antique piece.
Some of the most interestingly styled rooms include varied wood tones. These spaces may be considered eclectic, and they are full of character. Here are some easy ways to mix woods in your own place.
Some of the most interestingly styled rooms include varied wood tones. These spaces may be considered eclectic, and they are full of character. Here are some easy ways to mix woods in your own place.
by Gast Architects
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Connect the undertones. Look at the grain in the wood. You can pick up on hints of red, dark chocolate or light tones and tie furniture pieces together that way, as well as to the wood flooring. This pine coffee table works well with the burgundy brown tones in the floor and the mantel.
| Soften the mix of furniture with a rug. Try an area rug as a transition point between the different tones of a wood floor and the furniture on it. |
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Give one piece of furniture an important position. Create impressive impact on a large piece of furniture by using a contrasting wood tone all around it. The piece feels special. In this case, a knotty pine armoire becomes the star with deep tones of pecan and chocolate surrounding it.
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| Mixing woods can be a balancing act. Balance both sides of your room with similarly toned wood. This grounds the space, allowing the other wood tones to have a brighter or deeper contrast. |
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| Change the style of a room by adding mixed wood finishes. If your style has changed from strictly contemporary to a more rustic look, you do not have to give up your bed frame! Soften a modern bed frame by adding light distressed wood side tables. The linen hemp pillows on the bed tie the look together. |
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by Phoebe Howard
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| Create a mood. The juxtaposition of very warm and very light woods can create a seaside feel that is light and airy. You can also choose to go more country or rustic with more natural elements. |
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| Purposely contrast the floor and the furniture to make an impact. Pair light wood floors with furniture that has a deep chocolate stain. The dark pieces do not have to match; they should complement each other. |
Use color to tie a mix of two wood finishes together. This photo is a great example of how you can tie two different woods, finishes and styles together. The traditional table and more country cupboard work well because of the accent color. Add a color, like the blue used in this gorgeous dining room, to both pieces. For a coffee table or accent table, add color to the top through accents.
More:
Transitioning From One Flooring to Another
Add Character to Your Home With Distressed Finishes
Mixing Paint and Wood Finishes in the Kitchen
More:
Transitioning From One Flooring to Another
Add Character to Your Home With Distressed Finishes
Mixing Paint and Wood Finishes in the Kitchen
Comments
saypoint Oh, my, that last pic with the blue and white dining room and its wonderful mix of styles and textures is wonderful. I have an odd mix of furnishings collected over the years, and this idea will come in very handy. Too bad I don't have an alcove like the one shown in the photo. Gorgeous.
18 months ago · Like
Elaine M. Rushlow C.K.D. Almost every room had matching something...
18 months ago · Like
patscats2 All of these very pretty.
18 months ago · Like
HAYTHAM SAMIR HELMI FABULOSE INTERIO DESIGN.
17 months ago · Like
shelleve Can you mix different wood floors in the same house with an open floor plan. I have open floor house and like the colour of the wood in my front room (living, dining and hallway). I have tile in the kitchen and carpet in the family room (all open) and want to replace with wood however I will likely not be able to match it to the wood already in the house. Help would love best advice on this.
11 months ago · Like
jsbrook What would you think about a maple cofee table and maybe maple end table in a room with a lot of cherry? I am thinking about it for the attached. It would be a nice open cofee table on the rug so that you can still see the rug. As you see, the floors are cherry. The wall unit you can see at the edge of picture is also cherry. The copper couch is going to be replaced with a brown and a matching couch on the smaller wall where the black chair currently is. On the other side of the room which you can't see will be a nice bamboo pot with branches, so that would be some other wood. I could just do a cherry cofee table and end table, but I want some contrast! I think the lighter wood would look nice. Let me know if you agree if you get a second. Thanks! 
7 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Dec. 9, 2011.
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