Apparently, oak is THE favourite material when it comes to furniture in England. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful wood and certainly very durable. But your house is yours only, so it shouldn't look like a furniture store. Sure, it is certainly easy and comforting to buy an entire oak set for your living-room, but it says nothing about you ! I can assure you that you can achieve a cosy oak-looking room, but with a more collected feel, simply by mixing things up !I believe my main advice would be to choose lightweight oak furniture, to avoid any bulkiness. Pair them with clean, modern pieces like this mirrored console to achieve a more contemporary look. You also want to mix different finishes: varnished, weathered, light or dark oak, ... You might also want to use oak in other items rather than just furniture, in lamps, for instance, for an unexpected and elegant twist. Keep the upholstery neutral. If possible, stay away from heavy dark leather upholstery. Then it'll be easier to switch your decor with accessories like pillows or art.