Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.

How to Blend Design Styles

You are ready to start renovating your home but you hit a wall when trying to decide which style you want. It is not always easy to create a unified look when there is more than one person involved. They like traditional, you prefer minimalism, or they want bold color choices while you enjoy a calm palette. From teenagers to your significant other, everyone has an opinion which can create difficulties when designing a new space in the home that will make everyone happy. Home is not just the place we live, it is a reflection of us, what we value so it is important that everyone feels comfortable there and that it mirrors their personality in some way. While it may not always be easy to blend different styles together it can be accomplished. An experienced designer will be able to skillfully merge your varying preferences together into one unified design that satisfies everyone. Let’s talk about some of the steps that are involved in making this happen.

Write your different styles down

The best way to start is by writing it all down. List the different color schemes, style preferences, what matters to you, what your vision is for the new space. This is important because it provides a launching point for your designer to know what the expectations are from each member of the family and what areas of the home will mean to them specifically. Think through what every member of the family will be doing in that space and even how much time they might spend there. Are there particular activities that will and will not be done in these areas such as eating, reading a book, enjoying a glass of wine, or family game night? These are all helpful pieces of information for your designer. Don’t be afraid to be specific about what home means to you and the elements you love. Take some time to find inspiration photos from places like Houzz and Pinterest that clearly represent your individual wish lists. The more you share the better guide you give to your designer, it will give them a detailed guide that helps them keep the end goal in mind which is a design that says home to everyone. 

Inventory what you already have

Redesigning or renovating a space does not mean you have to go out and buy new things. Many designers enjoy incorporating items you already own into the new design. It is also helpful to see what you already own because it reveals your style and provides a launching pad for what else is needed to make the space complete. Some things to look at include:

  • Furniture
  • Artwork
  • Decor pieces
  • Accent pieces

By taking the time to inventory what you already own, you can already see how some of your styles can be blending together to create a new one suitable for all your family members. It is always a beautiful way to highlight what matters to each person making them feel special and a part of the new space. It allows you to voice the reasons why they matter as well as which ones can be eliminated. Another benefit to using what you have is financial savings. We all know that budget is important so by taking what you have it can help you stretch your project budget, leaving room for anything unexpected or a special splurge. One last piece of advice when sorting through your belongings, don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself and others. Knowing why these particular pieces matter is an important part of the process.

Look for common ground

Common ground is where things come together to create a unified look. Just because you seem to have different tastes does not mean there is no possibility of blending it together. Start by looking for things such as:

  • Similar colors
  • Textures
  • Patterns
  • Shapes

This is where you begin to successfully mix your styles together. If one person enjoys a traditional kitchen style but the other enjoys a more minimalist approach consider incorporating a few things like simple hardware pieces or neutral colors like white and gray. If you lean on the side of a more modern feel while your partner enjoys a little more country, think about going with a modern cabinet door style with a textured backsplash or a slightly vintage floor coverings. Even small compromises can make for a big win like including pops of color into your more streamlined design style or a vintage light fixture. This allows you to have a blend of styles that looks good and pleases everyone. There are multiple ways to combine your varying tastes into a space that looks and feels like home for both of you. It may even surprise you to learn just how much you have in common after all. Check out this helpful list from The Spruce on mixing different styles for a few extra tips.

Be willing to adjust

While finding common ground is important, there also needs to be a willingness to adjust your preferences a little. Adjustments are going to be an important part in blending your styles. Some areas where accommodations can be made are:

  • Color
  • Shape
  • Furniture

Some suggest that if you are doing multiple rooms you can trade off spaces such as one gets the mudroom and the other gets the laundry but in the end that can create too varied of a style in the home. A good middle ground would be to trade off on particular items such as hardware, backsplash, and even cabinet door styles and wood selection. This will help it stay a cohesive design but allow each to have a say in something. Manufacturers have come a long way in designing accent pieces that can mix and match together in such a way that it yields a beautiful finished project. Adjusting to suit each other’s unique preferences while being willing to find the common ground in others is the way to plan for a design that is enjoyed by everyone.

Blending of styles

Gone are the days of perfect symmetry, where it had to all match or else. Designers have learned to blend styles together and in fact it is something that can be seen in several new styles such as Grand Millennial. Mixing different elements is not a more common practice as people enjoy expressing themselves in unique ways and want their homes to reflect that shift. Design is simply the tool we use to tell your story, a showcasing of what matters to you and what makes you you. While you may think that you and your family members may have differing stories, a designer can help you discover that they are not so different after all. Our design team has assisted hundreds of clients create a look for their home that was exactly what they wanted for everyone. Come visit our 5,000 square foot showroom where you can walk through our multiple cabinet displays along with hardware, countertops, lighting, home decor items, and more. Let us help you plan the perfect renovation where your styles can effortlessly blend together into one beautiful new space. Contact us today to get started.