Mixing interior design styles can feel daunting—but when done right, it creates a space that’s unique, layered, and deeply personal. As a UK-based interior designer with 25 years of experience, I’ve helped countless clients blend aesthetics from different eras, cultures, and trends to create interiors that truly reflect who they are.
At Plot Design, we specialise in creating beautifully balanced interiors that mix Scandinavian calm with contemporary edge, vintage warmth, or even industrial boldness. If you’re unsure how to mix interior styles without it looking mismatched or messy, keep reading, this blog is full of insider interior design tips to help you do just that.
Why Mix Interior Styles?
Let’s start with the why. Few people are drawn to just one interior design style. I recently gave a group of business people a presentation on interior styles and asked them which they were drawn to the most – very few of them actually chose one style …
You might love the clean lines of Scandinavian interiors but also feel drawn to rustic farmhouse textures or mid-century furniture. Mixing styles allows you to honour multiple influences—while avoiding the “showroom” feel of an overly matched interior.
The key is doing it with intention. That’s where a professional interior designer (hello – me!) can help guide the process. But if you’re tackling your space alone, here’s how to start blending styles like a pro.
1. Start With a Base Style
Before mixing, you need a solid foundation. Choose one dominant style that will act as your anchor—this will provide visual consistency. At Plot Design, we often start with a Scandinavian interior base because it’s clean, versatile, and timeless. Think pale woods, soft textures, muted colours, and functional furniture.
From there, you can introduce other design elements that complement or contrast with your base.
2. Stick to a Cohesive Colour Palette
No matter how varied your furniture or decor, colour is your biggest ally in tying everything together. Choose a cohesive palette and stick to it throughout the space. This keeps even contrasting styles from feeling chaotic.
For example, if you love bold industrial lighting but also lean toward organic Japandi textures, unify them with earthy tones—like sand, slate, olive, or charcoal.
Pro tip: At Plot Design, we always create colour moodboards before sourcing any furniture or accessories.
3. Balance Shapes and Proportions
When mixing interior design styles, consider the visual weight and scale of each piece. If you’re combining curved vintage pieces with angular modern lines, make sure there’s a balance. A room full of oversized furniture can feel cramped; too many slimline pieces can feel cold.
Pro Tip: Think of your room like a curated gallery. Mixing styles works best when there’s a balance between hard and soft, light and dark, old and new.
4. Create Continuity Through Materials
Another easy way to harmonise mixed styles is through materials. Look for opportunities to repeat textures and finishes—even if the styles themselves vary.
For instance, a mid-century walnut cabinet pairs beautifully with modern walnut picture frames or a Scandi-style wood-legged sofa. Similarly, touches of brass can appear in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Plot Design often introduces organic materials like linen, stone, rattan, or oak to soften harder elements and create that effortless Scandi-meets-eclectic blend.
5. Use Statement Pieces to Set the Tone
Statement pieces help set the visual tone and give the room its personality. Choose one or two eye-catching items, for example a bold pendant light, a colourful rug, or a unique vintage chair—to act as a focal point.
From there, layer supporting pieces that play well together without competing.
At Plot Home, we curate accessories that add personality without overpowering the space – ideal when you’re blending multiple styles.
6. Let the Space Tell Your Story
The most successful interiors are not only stylish but personal. They tell the story of who lives there. When mixing styles, bring in elements that speak to your travels, your culture, your history. A Moroccan rug, a Danish sideboard, an antique mirror from a local flea market, these all have a place if styled thoughtfully. My own home is an ecclectic mix of inherited pieces from grandparents and years of living together – items come and go but ultimately it feels like home.
Final Thoughts: Style Without the Stress
Mixing interior design styles isn’t about following rigid rules—it’s about creating harmony. With a little guidance, anyone can master the mix. But if you feel overwhelmed, know that you don’t have to do it alone.
At Plot Design, we offer personalised interior design services across the UK, from style consultation to full-room makeovers. Whether you’re renovating a flat in London or refreshing a country cottage, we’ll help you curate a space that’s beautifully balanced, uniquely yours, and built to last.
Ready to Create a Home That Reflects You?
Get in touch with Plot Design today to book a consultation and start your interior journey.
Follow us on Instagram @plotdesigner or our sister company @plot.home for daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes moodboards, and tips for styling Scandinavian-inspired interiors with personality.