Our customers often feel intimidated by mixing different woods and wood finishes in their home. Although it may seem daunting, mixing woods can be a great way to create a layered and rich look that adds character to your space. In this guide, we will cover the do’s and don'ts of mixing woods, and help you to achieve a harmonious blend of wood throughout your home.
1. Choose Your Dominant Wood Tone
Mixing woods effectively requires one tone which will be the primary colour in the space. This dominant or primary wood should be used in the larger pieces that take command of the room. This may be your floor, dining table or joinery such as a built-in bookcase. By choosing a dominant colour for your larger wooden pieces, you have a solid foundation in which you can build upon.
2. Factor in Your Undertones
This is by far the most important factor that contributes to a seamless blend of wood tones throughout your home. The undertone of the wood you have chosen will either be ashy or warm. Once you find your undertone, use this as a basis on which other tones you chose. For example, if you have a warm oak dining table or floor, a rich warm walnut is going to pair beautifully with it. On the contrary, woods with ashy tones such as ash are better suited to cooler colours.
3. Layer Textures to Create Balance
Incorporating softer materials can balance out your space and act as a buffer of the hardness of the wood. For example, adding wool rugs, and soft throws can transform the space into being a warm and homely area. Dressing your walls can also draw the eye up and balance out the dominant woods lower in the space. For example, if you have a dark walnut floor, this could overpower the room and draw the eye downwards, which can be avoided by adding artwork, mirrors, or panelling.
4. Create a Flow
By repeating the different wood tones throughout your space, it can create visual continuity and give a ‘complete’ look to your home. By repeating your chosen wood tones. The best way to match your repeated wood tones is by purchasing from the same collection. For example, if you wished to have a dining table and a sideboard in the dominant wood colour, then you could customise the Salamanca Dining Table and the Vivo Sideboard to be in the same wood stain.
5. Embrace the Nature
As wood is a natural material, there will be different tones throughout the piece. Also, as wood ages over time, it slightly darkens, so it is important to remember to embrace the natural processes of the wood throughout its lifetime. Depending on how the wood has been finished, you may choose to re-oil or re-varnish it. This is a create way to protect the piece over time, and increase its lifecycle.
Conclusion:
Mixing woods can be daunting, but following these steps can give you a guide of how to brave this challenge. Every home is personal, and different things work for different people. So don't be afraid to have fun when designing your home and do something out of the ordinary!
