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Mixing different woods in interior design can create a beautiful and unique look that adds depth and texture to your space. However, it can be tricky to get just right. In this blog post, we'll go over our 6 tips and tricks for successfully mixing woods in your home.
Start with a Neutral Base
When it comes to mixing woods, it's important to start with a neutral base. This means choosing a neutral color scheme for your walls and larger furniture pieces. This will help to create a cohesive look and prevent your space from feeling too busy or overwhelming.
Choose Woods that Complement Each Other
When selecting different woods to mix, it's important to choose ones that complement each other. This means selecting woods with similar grain patterns and hues. For example, you could mix a light oak with a dark walnut or a maple with a cherry wood. All of these woods mix well together because they naturally have a warm tone.
Pro Tip: If you want your home to stay timeless don't use trendy wood colors like gray. Unnatural wood tones will quickly date your home.
Mix Different Textures
Mixing woods with different textures is a great way to add interest and depth to your space. For example, you could mix a smooth, polished wood with a rough, reclaimed wood or a glossy wood with a matte wood. You can also take into account the grain of wood. Some grains are very clean like maple or walnut, but other grains can be more busy and have many exposed knots like a knotty alder. ("knotty" is your cue on this one). There are also specialty woods like burled wood (made of knotted tree stumps), or book matched wood.
Use Wood Accents
If you're not ready to commit to mixing large furniture pieces, start by adding wood accents to your space. This could be as simple as adding a wooden picture frame, a wooden coffee table tray, or small decorative objects.
Don't forget about Finishes
The finish of your wood can have a big impact on how it looks when mixed with other woods. For example, a glossy finish can look out of place next to a matte finish. Consider the finish of each wood piece you're mixing and how it will interact with the other woods in your space. If you are going for a rustic or industrial look consider a rough cut wood with no finish similar to the image below.
Use a Rug
Finally, consider using a rug to tie all of your wood elements together. A neutral rug with a mix of wood tones can create a cohesive look and help to anchor the space. However don't let that be a reason not to experiment. With so many rug options to choose from, look around and see what speaks to you. You can always (90% of the time) return a rug if the colors don't work out like you thought they would. When possible, try to get a sample of a rug before spending money on a large area rug. This will save you time and money.
P.S. If you need help selecting a rug check out our E-design packages!
In Conclusion
Mixing woods can be a beautiful and unique way to add interest and texture to your home. Hopefully with these tips and tricks, you can create a cohesive and stylish space that showcases the beauty of different wood tones and textures.
Happy Designing!
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