How To Blend Design Styles

Design Notes

You are ready to start renovating your home, but you’re unsure which style to choose. It is not always easy to create a unified look when more than one person is 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 make designing a new space in the home difficult when trying to make everyone happy. Home is not just the place we live; it is a reflection of us, our values, 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 design styles, it can be done. An experienced designer can skillfully merge your varied preferences into a unified design that satisfies everyone. Let’s talk about some of the steps 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, and your vision for the new space. This is important because it provides a launching point for your designer to know the expectations of each family member and what areas of the home will mean to them specifically. Think through what every family member 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 inspirational photos from places like Houzz and Pinterest that represent your 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 complete the space. 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 blended 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 like they are a part of the new space. It allows you to voice the reasons why they matter and which ones can be eliminated. Another benefit to using what you have is financial savings. We all know that a budget is essential, so taking what you have 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 integral part of the process.

A living room with a black fireplace and a wood wall built around it

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 blending is impossible. Start by looking for things such as:

Similar colors
Textures
Patterns
Shapes

This is where you begin to mix your styles successfully. If one person enjoys a traditional kitchen style but the other enjoys a more minimalist approach, consider incorporating a few things, such as 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, consider a modern cabinet door style with a textured backsplash or slightly vintage floor coverings. Even small compromises can make for a big win, like including pops of color in your more streamlined design style or a vintage light fixture. This allows you to have a good blend of styles that 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. For a few extra tips, check out this helpful list from The Spruce on mixing different styles.

Be Willing To Adjust

While finding common ground is important, there must also be a willingness to adjust your preferences. Adjustments will be an important part of 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 receives the laundry, but in the end, that can create too varied a style in the home. A good middle ground would be to trade off on particular items such as hardware, backsplash, 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 mix and match together to yield a beautiful finished project. Adjusting to suit each other’s unique preferences while being willing to find common ground with 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, and in fact, this can be seen in several new styles, such as Grand Millennial. Mixing different elements is not a common practice, as people enjoy expressing themselves uniquely and want their homes to reflect that shift. Design is simply the tool we use to tell your story, showcasing what matters to you and 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 in creating a look for the home they wanted for everyone.

byStacey Walker/onJuly 7, 2023/updatedJanuary 28, 2026/inDesign Notes

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