DOES FURNITURE NEED TO MATCH?
But furniture has to match doesn't it?
It’s confusing isn’t it. You get catalogues from furniture stores showing how you can buy the whole bedroom. A bed, bedhead, side tables and drawers. All the same style and colour. All matching. And then you enter retail furniture stores and that’s how they have their furniture on display. As the set. Oh and there is often a special offer for the whole suite!
I remember years ago, shopping for a dining table (before I studied interior design). I needed some furniture (other than what I had been given as hand-me-downs for my first home). I didn’t have a dining table and found one within my budget. I bought the wooden dining table together with the wooden matching chairs. The sales person enthusiastically suggested I buy the ‘matching’ side board and then showed me other pieces in the same range. As it turned out, luckily I didn’t have the room or budget for other pieces in that range.
Furniture does not need to match. Wood in your room doesn’t need to be the same colour or type. Sofas don’t need to be the same style or colour. You don’t need the drawers in the bedroom to be the same as the bed side tables. And you don’t need to buy furniture from the same store.
Instead, furniture and items should co-ordinate together. That means that there may be something that they have in common. For example, they may have the same shape, colour, pattern or style. And this will help give your room an individual look and not one from a retail catalogue!
5 tips for using furniture that doesn’t match:
1. Use a common shape. If you have curves in some furniture, you can repeat this in other items.
2. Use a common colour. This can be one colour or more that unites each of the items. It doesn't have to be the exact colour or tone but is something that gives some continuity.
3. Use things you love. If there is an item that you love, use it.
4. Use similar materials. If there is wood, then try using another wooden piece that doesn’t need to be the same colour.
5. Don’t be afraid to add something unexpected! Something that is a bit different in colour, size to the rest of your items can be used if you feel bold to create a surprise and give your room personality.
Need help pulling your room together? Schedule a free phone call or email me at katie@katieriddell.com.au. To receive helpful tips and inspiration direct to your email inbox, please sign-up to receive my “All Things Interiors” newsletter.
