Blending Interior Design Styles: How to Make It Work

Lenore LDI
Nov 2
4 min read

Mixing design styles is one of the best ways to create a home that feels layered, personal, and timeless — but it’s also where many homeowners feel stuck.

How do you make a traditional dining table work with modern lighting? Or balance the clean lines of a contemporary sofa with the warmth of classic millwork?

The secret is intention. When done thoughtfully, blending styles creates depth and character — not chaos.

If you haven’t yet discovered your personal aesthetic, start with How to Find Your Interior Design Style. And if you’ve realized your taste falls between two looks, you’ll love What If You’re In Between Design Styles?. Once you’ve read those, this post will help you bring both together beautifully.

Blending interior design styles

Step 1: Start with a Dominant Style

Every successful blend begins with a clear foundation.Start by choosing one dominant style — the look that best reflects your personality and lifestyle — and let the secondary style act as a supporting layer.

For example, a Toronto homeowner who loves modern minimalism might start with clean lines, neutral tones, and sleek surfaces — then bring in traditional elements like mouldings, brass accents, or classic fabrics to soften the space.

This approach keeps your home cohesive, even when combining two very different aesthetics.

Step 2: Balance Colour, Texture & Proportion

When mixing styles, balance is everything. A modern sofa can pair beautifully with a traditional rug if they share similar undertones or complementary textures.

Keep these guidelines in mind:

Colour: Choose a unified palette (neutrals work beautifully) and repeat colours throughout the space.
Texture: Mix contrasting finishes — matte with gloss, metal with wood — to create depth.
Proportion: Make sure pieces feel balanced in size and visual weight.

In Transitional + Modern blends, a streamlined silhouette can meet rich textures or classic detailing.

In Traditional + Contemporary spaces, contrast the ornate with the minimal — but let repetition of tone and material tie them together.

Step 3: Find Linking Elements

This is where the magic happens. Linking elements are what make a space feel intentional rather than a hodgepodge of styles.

Look for:

Shared materials (a brass finish repeated on lighting and hardware)
Similar shapes (curved lines echoing in both furniture and décor)
Consistent wood tones or complementary stains
Repetition of patterns like herringbone or subtle geometrics

“Repeating even one or two key details throughout your home connects the entire story.”

These linking touches create rhythm — the visual glue that makes blended spaces feel cohesive.

Step 4: Edit with Intention

The biggest mistake homeowners make? Including too many competing pieces.

Not every item needs to make a statement. Choose a few focal points — perhaps a modern chandelier or an antique cabinet — and let supporting pieces provide balance.

Editing ensures your space feels curated, not cluttered. When in doubt, step back and ask: Does everything in the room relate to something else? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

Step 5: Add Personality with Accessories

Accessories are the perfect place to have fun with your blend.

A traditional vase on a modern console. A mid-century chair in a classically panelled living room. Layer books, art, and textiles that reflect you — not just your chosen styles.

Mixing old and new adds warmth and dimension, and gives your home that lived-in, evolved-over-time feeling that can’t be bought from a showroom.

Quick Recap: How to Blend Styles Successfully

Choose a dominant style, then layer in your secondary.
Repeat colours, finishes, or textures for cohesion.
Balance proportions and visual weight.
Use linking elements (shapes, metals, wood tones).
Edit with intention — not every piece needs to “pop.”
Accessorize thoughtfully to add personality and warmth.

Blending interior design styles isn’t about rules — it’s about rhythm. When you approach your home with a clear plan and a designer’s eye for balance, your space feels curated, connected, and uniquely yours.

Whether you’re leaning Modern with a Traditional twist or pairing Contemporary with Classic charm, the key is harmony — not uniformity.

If you’re planning a renovation, redesign, or new build in Toronto, Oakville, Vaughan, Etobicoke, or anywhere in the GTA, let’s refine your blend together.

Book a design consultation to discover how Ldesigns Interiors can help you bring both sides of your style beautifully into balance.

The Ldesigns Interiors Style Series

Want to better understand your personal design style — and how to bring it to life? Explore the full series:

Part 1: How to Find Your Interior Design Style→ Discover what draws you in and learn how to define your unique aesthetic.

Part 2: What If You’re In Between Design Styles?→ Understand hybrid looks and how to recognize what you’re naturally blending.

Part 3: Blending Interior Design Styles: How to Make It Work→ Learn how to combine two styles beautifully and create balance, not chaos.

Start with the post that fits where you are in your design journey — or read all three for a complete guide to discovering, refining, and blending your personal style.