For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to create. It started with art, then fashion and eventually, once I had my own space, that creativity naturally spilled into my surroundings. Looking back now, I’m not surprised I spent so many years working in strategy. After all, to be good at strategy, you need to be creative. You need to see patterns, connect the dots, and bring different elements together in a way that just works. Before you can paint a picture with words or render a beautiful space, you have to be able to see it in your mind first.
One of my biggest personal design challenges has always been figuring out how to blend my love for so many different styles. Right now, that challenge feels especially real as I begin updating my mom’s condo, turning it from her home into our home. I want it to feel timeless, stylish, and welcoming, while also reflecting both of our personalities. The catch? I love so many styles! You could call it an occupational hazard of being a designer– falling in love with countless looks and wanting to bring them all to life in one space.
I talk to enough people every day to know that I’m not alone in this struggle. I hear this from clients all the time. If you’ve ever felt torn between different design styles and worried about creating a chaotic, mismatched space, I have good news for you. You can absolutely blend multiple styles without losing that calm, cohesive feel. In this post, I’ll share how.
Images via Pinterest.
Embrace Your Favourite Elements
It can be so tempting to try to bring every single piece you love into your space. When you adore many different styles, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “Why can’t I just include it all?” But the reality is, just like in a great outfit or a beautifully composed piece of music, editing is everything.
The key is to get really clear on which elements you love most from each style. Like the pieces or features that make your heart skip a beat. Maybe you love the clean lines and simplicity of modern design but also feel drawn to the warmth and character of vintage pieces. Instead of trying to incorporate every modern piece you come across and every vintage find you fall in love with, focus on just a few statement items from each style.
I’m experiencing this firsthand right now with my mom’s condo. She has collected so many beautiful pieces over the years, and it’s hard to resist the urge to keep them all. But part of this transformation is about making the space feel like my home too and ideally a reflection of both of us. To do that, we need to let go of some items to make room for pieces that feel more like me and that function better for how we live now. For now, I’m only fully committed to keeping a couple of pieces of artwork that mean a lot to both of us and a set of accent chairs we both love.
Choosing your favourite elements thoughtfully creates breathing room. It allows each piece to shine without overwhelming the space or competing for attention. Think of it like curating a gallery: every piece is there for a reason, and together they tell a story that feels intentional and personal.
Images via Pinterest.
Find a Common Thread
When you love different design styles, it can be easy to feel like your space is turning into a collection of random finds rather than a cohesive home. The secret to making everything feel pulled together? Find a common thread that connects each piece and ties the look together.
That thread can take many different forms. For some people, it’s a shared colour palette. Even if the pieces come from different eras or styles, sticking to a consistent range of colours can create instant harmony. For others, it might be similar materials or finishes, like warm woods, matte black accents, or soft linen fabrics. You can also look for repeated shapes or silhouettes, such as rounded edges or slim, clean lines.
When I think about my mom’s condo, the common thread we’re working with is a warm, neutral palette layered with natural textures. Even though we’re mixing some of her traditional pieces with more modern, streamlined items, keeping that palette and texture consistent helps everything feel like it belongs.
Finding this thread doesn’t mean everything has to match perfectly. In fact, it shouldn’t. It’s about creating a quiet sense of connection so the space feels cohesive rather than chaotic. Once you have that anchor, you’ll find it much easier to confidently choose pieces, knowing they’ll play nicely together.
Images via Pinterest.
Choose One Dominant Style
One of the biggest mistakes people make when blending design styles is trying to give everything equal importance. When each style is competing for attention, the space can quickly start to feel busy and disjointed rather than calm and inviting.
Instead, think of your space like a story. Every great story has a main character and supporting characters. In design, one style should take the lead, your “main character” if you will, while the others act as complements or accents.
For example, if you love modern minimalism but also have a soft spot for rustic farmhouse touches, you might let the modern elements set the overall foundation (clean lines, simple layouts, neutral base colours). Then, layer in rustic accents through wood textures, vintage accessories, or a statement farmhouse table. The supporting style adds personality and warmth without overpowering the main vibe.
In my mom’s condo, modern clean-lined furniture will be taking the lead to create that timeless, airy feeling we both want. Meanwhile, her more traditional pieces, like the accent chairs and the artwork will play a supporting role, adding warmth and character that will make the space feel personal. Just talking about this is getting me excited for what it will be!
Choosing a dominant style and a supporting style will bring clarity to your decisions. And it helps you avoid that “everything but the kitchen sink” feeling. It also gives you a clear framework when you’re shopping for your next piece of furniture or decor or editing your space, so you can easily decide what fits and what doesn’t. And trust me, that’s going to make a world of a difference.
Images via Pinterest.
Avoid Common Mistakes
When it comes to decorating and furnishing a home, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement, especially when you’re drawn to so many beautiful pieces and styles. Most people aren’t consciously trying to “mix styles,” but they naturally fall in love with items from different looks along the way. Without a clear plan, though, this can quickly lead to a space that feels chaotic rather than calm, or disconnected rather than cohesive.
Here are some of the most common mistakes I see (and how you can avoid them).
1. Overusing statement pieces from multiple styles
When you’re furnishing a space, it can be tempting to collect bold, eye-catching pieces that each make a big impression — especially if they come from different styles you love. But when every piece is trying to be the star of the show, nothing actually stands out. Instead of feeling interesting and layered, the space can start to feel busy and overwhelming.
What to do instead: Choose one or two standout pieces that really speak to you and represent the essence of your dominant style, and let everything else play a supporting role. This creates visual balance and allows your favourite pieces to truly shine, giving your room a sense of calm and intention.
2. Forgetting to edit
The excitement of decorating often leads to the urge to keep adding — one more throw pillow, another side table, an extra piece of art. This is especially true when you’re drawn to different styles and want to showcase pieces from each one. But more isn’t always better. Without careful editing, a room can start to feel crowded, chaotic, and lose that sense of ease and cohesion you’re after.
What to do instead: Pause and evaluate each piece before adding it. Does it support the overall feel and function of the room? Does it contribute to the dominant style you’ve chosen or complement it in a subtle way? Being thoughtful and selective makes your space feel curated rather than cluttered, and helps all your favourite styles work together beautifully.
3. Focusing on style before function
It’s so easy to fall in love with how something looks and forget to think about how it will actually work in your daily life. A gorgeous but uncomfortable sofa, a dining table that looks amazing but seats too few guests, or a delicate rug in a high-traffic area — these choices can lead to frustration down the line.
What to do instead: Start by thinking about how you use the space. Who lives there? What activities happen there? Once you’re clear on how the room needs to function, you can make style decisions that truly support your lifestyle.
When you keep these decorating pitfalls in mind, you’ll feel more confident pulling together a space that not only looks beautiful but also feels effortless and truly yours.
Images via Pinterest.
Final Thoughts
Blending different design styles isn’t about following rigid rules or choosing one box to live in. It’s about creating a space that feels true to you — a home that reflects your personality, your experiences, and the things you love most.
When you take the time to edit thoughtfully, choose your favourite elements with intention, and ground everything in a clear vision, you can absolutely mix styles without losing that calm, cohesive feel. The result? A space that feels layered, personal, and deeply yours.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to start, remember: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you need a gentle nudge in the right direction or a complete design roadmap, I’d love to help.
