7 Things That Don’t Have to Match When You’re Decorating Your Home

Today I’m sharing a few things that don’t have to match when decorating!

Today I thought I would share a few photos that show a home can feel pulled together without everything needing to perfectly match or coordinate. In fact, some of the things that don’t match are what give a home personality and make it feel collected over time. I’m sharing seven things that don’t have to match when decorating, including wood tones, chairs, metal finishes and more!

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1. Your Wood Tones Don’t Have to Match

I think it’s a common practice to try to match wood tones in a home, but I really enjoy having some variation! I do try to stick to warmer wood shades and avoid anything too dark or orange/red, but that’s just my personal preference. You can absolutely mix different tones while still having a collected look.

In my dining room, you can see that my chairs are a slightly darker shade than my dining table and pine hutch. Mixing tones can add depth to a space and keep a room from feeling overly perfect. Instead of matching tones exactly, look for a common thread such as similar warmth or finish.

2. Dining Chairs Don’t Have to Match

While I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having a matching set of dining chairs, don’t feel as though this is a strict design rule. Mixing your chairs can be especially helpful when you’re on a budget and can only afford to buy one or two chairs at a time.

Pretty much the entire time I’ve been in my home, I have had mismatched chairs at my dining table. Sometimes I will have a bench on side of my table, smaller chairs on the other side, and then my two bigger wicker chairs on either end of the table. I try to keep my chairs a similar scale and overall style, and mixing your chairs is a great way to incorporate a vintage or inherited piece.

3. Your Metal Finishes Don’t Have to Match

While I like to have one dominant metal, I’m not so strict as to not allow any other finishes in a space just because they don’t perfectly match. In my kitchen alone you will find many different metal finishes, from copper to nickel to brass. Keep the emphasis on repeating finishes throughout the room rather than making every object match.

4. Your Furniture Styles Don’t Have to Match

As an avid thrifter and antique collector, you better believe my furniture has never and will never match haha Not every piece of furniture needs to look as though it came from the same collection. In fact, finding old pieces and repurposing them gives your home more far more charm and character than a brand new piece from a big box store.

I love my rustic old hutches, my handmade dining table, and wicker seating. Find pieces you love and incorporate them into your home.

5. Old and New Pieces Don’t Have to Match

While I love my antique pieces, I do have a few new pieces in my home as well. I have a combination of old and new and the pieces are not always perfectly matched. In my living room, I have a new couch and newer chairs that were purchased from Ikea; however, I also have vintage elements all around them. This is a common theme in my home.

6. Your Patterns Don’t Have to Match

Just because you have a striped rug does not mean all of your pillows have to be striped haha Again, things that don’t have to match when decorating. One strong pattern can add interest without requiring every other textile to coordinate perfectly.

If you are using a really bold pattern, just try to keep the rest of the space quieter so it doesn’t compete and coordinate your patterns rather than matching them. For example, in my basement I have a very bold wallpapered accent wall. You’ll notice my pillows and blankets match the color of the wall, but not the exact pattern. I have stripes, plaids and even triangle dots!

7. Your Collections and Accessories Don’t Have to Match

I love my Pfaltzgraff collection and how they look displayed together, but never every piece I have displayed in my kitchen and dining room is part of the Heritage collection that I have slowly accumulated over time. I love having different pieces to add visual interest. A great example of this is my breadboard display. The items are breadboards, but no two breadboards are the same.

Consider grouping similar objects by color, material, function or even shape, but don’t try to force every piece to match exactly. Display pieces that you love to make your home feel more personal and intentional. Baskets are another great piece of decor that I have many different sizes and shapes all displayed together.

How to Make Mismatched Pieces Look Intentional

Mixing and matching is great for giving your home character, but there are a few things you can do to make sure the mismatched pieces look intentional. Don’t try to make everything different; repeat colors, materials, or textures throughout a room. Pay attention to scale and look for a common feeling rather than an exact style. Don’t be afraid to edit; collected doesn’t mean cluttered. The goal is cohesion, not perfect matching.

Well friends, I hope this list of seven things that don’t have to match when decorating were helpful for you! Decorating your home should really be about collecting pieces that you love and creating a place you want to live in. Your personality comes through in those mismatched decorating decisions rather than stepping into a home that looks like an Ikea display haha

What are some ways you intentionally mix and match in your home? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to sign up for my free mini homemaking course for more home decor inspiration!

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