Follower Request: How do I mix wood tones in a living room, i.e. floors, console, coffee table, etc.
Sometimes, a design challenge question is so common or juicy, we just feel the need to answer it right here in the blog! This follower request from Instagram is one of the most common questions we get from our clients, and one of the biggest challenges homeowners face when redecorating their homes! Oftentimes, we are not starting from scratch with our furnishings (although, when we are, what a dream!), and so we are mixing old furniture items we love with new, updated items. Many times the wood tones are not going to be exact, and often they will not even be close! So how do you know which tones mix well and which combos to steer clear of?! Keep reading, as we answer that question for you and give you some ideas on how to do this perfectly in your own home!
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Often our clients will want to order a dining table and chairs, for example, all from the same line so that the wood tones match perfectly. While I understand this way of thinking (no shame in that game!), I often encourage my clients that it's OK if things are not a perfect match, and in fact, mixing your wood tones ultimately leads to a more curated, less cookie-cutter catalog looking home. Inevitably you are going to acquire many pieces of furniture you love over your lifetime, but knowing what to look out for in terms of tones that work together will help you achieve the perfect curated, designer look you desire!
Start with your floors
Flooring is something that is difficult to change if you're not starting fresh (just ask our clients with the cherry red wood floors throughout their entire house!), but is really the backdrop of all of your furnishings. If you don't DESPISE your wood floors, they should set the tone for the rest of your furniture (if you do, and changing them isn't an option, we suggest you invest in some big rugs and try to hide them as much as possible!!).
If your floors are warm, you will want to mix them with other warm wood furnishings. Likewise, if they are cool, mix them with other cool toned furnishings. Here's a little guide from Room and Board to help you determine if a wood tone is warm or cool:
Create Symmetry
Just like we like to reuse a wall treatment or color throughout the entire home to create symmetry, you should use the same wood tone multiple times (at least twice) in a room to create a cohesive look.
If your floors are white oak, use a white oak coffee table OR console. If you use a walnut console, also choose chairs with walnut legs. From there, choose a piece (whether its furniture or art) that incorporates both the light and dark tones you are using in your home. This will help "marry" the two (or three!) tones together. I love how this Burl coffee table combines multiple tones and pulls the whole room together here:
Don't go overboard
We suggest limiting your wood tones to 2 or 3 variations, and not more than that. In most scenarios, depending on your overall aesthetic, black and white painted wood can act as a great neutral which can be incorporated throughout when you need something but aren't sure what wood tone to use.
Click or tap below to shop some of our favorite wood pieces and artwork that can help marry multiple tones.