I often have clients asking me what to do with the pieces of wood furniture that they already own when they're updating the decor of their home. They are afraid that if they introduce a different style it won't ‘match’. The truth is, when it comes to decorating with wood I can recommend guidelines, but I only have one rule….Please don't have everything match! Nothing feels more dated than a dining room table, buffet, hutch and chairs all in the exact same wood.
When considering your major pieces of furniture in a room (coffee table, couches, dining tables, sideboards etc.) you have 3 options. The first is to choose one piece to highlight and have its surrounding pieces complimenting. For example, Artemano's Premium Freeform Bed made of Suar Wood is a showstopper on its own. I would couple it with more understated night tables, such as Artemano's Round Wood and Metal Stool. Although the woods are the same, they aren't competing for your attention. The bed takes center stage.
Your second option is to have all the wood pieces in harmony with one another without clashing colors. In order to achieve this, make sure that the undertones of all the woods are the same. For example, If you have a coffee table with a red undertone, your couch legs and side tables shouldn`t have yellow coloring. They don't have to be the same kind of wood or have the same grain as long as the undertones remain consistent.
Your third option is to use completely contrasting tones. Dining rooms become a little bit trickier because the furniture pieces are often large and very close together. The best way to break up the monotony of the wood is by using contrasting tones. Artemano`s Anand Rectangular Dining Table made of Rosewood in Natural Stain could be beautifully paired with a simple white washed sideboard.
When decorating with wood, especially in a den or bedroom, the textiles that you use are extremely important. They serve as the anchors that balance the room. If you have a lot of dark wood in a bedroom, I recommend using lighter coloured bedding. The Grey and White Angha Bedding Collection is so soothing and subtle that it softens any furniture heaviness.
I am often asked how each piece of furniture will look in contrast to wood flooring. The furniture does not have to match the floor. Once again, I prefer that they didn't match as long as they don’t clash! Use area rugs as the transitions between the different tones of a wood floor and the furniture that sits on it.
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