Order and Chaos: How to Combine Mismatched Decor and Furniture

by Barbara Rybicki 02/28/2022

If you’ve moved a lot, regardless of homeowner status, there’s a good chance you have a few mismatched pieces that have followed you from place to place. The biggest hurdle most residents seem to run into is how to match the pieces with their current furniture or vice versa. Here are a few ways to merge your mismatched furniture and decor for a custom, boho-chic home style.

Colors

Color is often the first thing people notice when they feel something is aesthetically off. Usually there’s a strange balance of complementary colors or a harsh battle of contrasting colors. Either one will set a spectator off when entering a room. So what do you do when all you have are strange combinations of both clashing and overly flattering pieces? Accessorize with contrast.

If you have too many blues for your yellow room, try finding your favorite blue piece or two to help break up the block of yellow but still allow the yellow to shine through. Too many shades of purple? If you have one bland piece of decor or furniture, incorporate it into your purple room. The contrast is minimal enough not to overtake the room but also different enough to act as a centerpiece, distracting occupants from the excessive purple within the room.

Shapes

Sometimes, we have that weird piece of furniture that’s shaped like an oblong. We have no idea where to put it, but we love the piece. What do you do? Either use it as another focal point, or use it as funky inspiration.

In a room dominated by lines, a strangely shaped piece of decor or furniture could increase intrigue when occupying the room. If the furniture in the room is less dynamic, but the odd piece sticks out oddly, add to it. Get more dynamic pieces for the room. Do you have a blob-shaped chair? Get a diamond shaped ottoman to make it a fun addition to the room. Is your couch shaped like a shoe insole? Surround it with other soft shapes to help give the room more flow and less rigidity.

Finishes

Finishes range from matte to glossy, textured to smooth and everything in between. The best way to marry textures is to make sure there is a balance of conflicting finishes. If you have a room with a particularly glossy couch, try using a matte-top table or pull your less-sleek items into the room. This will create another contrast between the textures and reflective surfaces in the room, which could be tantamount if you have a lot of light filtering in.

About the Author
Author

Barbara Rybicki

I am originally from Poland but have been a Grafton resident for almost thirty years.

I come from the Hospitality Business. I used to work in 5 Star Marriott Hotel Management. That experience taught me how to provide excellent customer service. That "Marriott" way of doing business instilled in me over the years helps me tremendously to succeed as a local real estate broker.

Nothing is more exciting to me than gratifying feeling I get from helping people reach their real estate needs and dreams. You can count on me to always do what is in your best interest. I will be there for you throughout the entire transaction making sure you understand each step of the buying or selling process. I will guide you with great communication skills  and hard work ethic. 

I have not only passion for my job but also extensive real estate expertise. Whether it is preparing and staging your home to sell for top dollar or helping you purchase a perfect home, feel free to reach out to me so we can start this process together.

I specialize in marketing and selling residential real estate in Grafton, Upton, Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury, Milford, Hopkinton and Metro West area.

I can not wait to meet you!

Awards and Designations:

Realtor Designation since 2005

Licensed MA Broker since 2009

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)

Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® since 2005

National Association of Realtors (NAR) since 2005

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

Remax Executive 100% Club 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Remax Platinum Club 2015

Remax Hall of Fame Club 2017