Blend traditional and modern styles in your home for a well-rounded and classic look that feels new and lived-in.
How can you do it without overwhelming the space or ignoring design flaws? It’s easier than it sounds, and one of the simplest ways to blend the two is through your furniture choices. Enter the Serena and Lily swivel chairs, perfect for the person who can’t decide between a charming, classic style and an elegant, modern one.
Open with a Neutral Base
The first step is to set the stage with a neutral background. That doesn’t mean using anything dull; a neutral palette looks clean and open with a timeless feel. Opt for soft sofas and easy whites, beiges, and greys. These colors don’t compete with each other, so your furniture is the star of the show.
Now, imagine a pair of Serena and Lily swivel chairs brought into the space. Their relaxed yet polished look has a contemporary vibe but is still welcoming enough to blend with more traditional styles.
Think About the Shape and Silhouette
Keeping the shapes of your furniture and the silhouettes in mind is a great way to marry two styles. Most people consider traditional design to be something that is typically more detailed and has more design to the furniture. This can mean carved wood, curved sides, or a tufted cushion. On the other hand, modern design is all about sleek lines and minimal detail.
Swivel chairs really let you get the best of both worlds. A round shape, the swivel, and the smooth lines in the back of a swivel chair work with modern furniture. Plus, a swivel chair is really functional, and that function with a classic look is a great fit for a traditional sofa or side table.
Play with Texture and Materials
This is where you can really have fun. Generally, traditional designs feature heavier fabrics like velvet, leather, or wool. Modern design appreciates lighter and more breathable fabrics, such as linen and cotton. That said, there are a few ways you can mix them together to create a cohesive blend.
For example, pair a swivel chair with a sumptuous leather couch or wooden coffee table for balance. The material of the chair will typically complement the pieces, adding a unique layer without making the overall aesthetic look anything less than put-together. A linen swivel chair will look at home beside a tufted velvet sofa, making for an effortless mix.
Add Statement Pieces for Personality
If you’re blending styles, you absolutely need to add that personal touch. A traditional space will likely feature heritage pieces or distinct antiques, while a modern space will lean toward the bold feats of industrial design. In this case, opposites are your friends. So, take that old wooden coffee table or that antique bookshelf and flank it with something modern, perhaps a pair of swivel chairs.
The slightly edgy yet intrinsically comfortable design of these chairs will provide some visual and functional glue. The most critical part is to make sure nothing clashes. The traditional and modern pieces should shine in their own way while working together in a certain order.
Use Color Wisely
Neutral and muted tones are the bedrock of any well-styled space, but don’t leave that pop of color behind. Deep navy walls or burgundy curtains are particularly evocative of traditional aesthetics, while something like pale pink or green-blue could provide a modern side for a striking depth. The trick is to find a tone or tones that work across both genres.
You can pull it off using accent tones. Opt for a serene and understated grey or beige couch and enliven it with some accessories. Introduce a tactile zig-zag throw pillow or a rug and find a little corner of the room to accent with a swivel chair upholstered in a rich and soft fabric. This small touch will knit the room together, giving you a balance between styles.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Furniture Scales
Part of the difficulty of reconciling modern decor with traditional styles is leaving the pieces to compete against each other. One of the best ways to ensure this doesn’t happen is to take size into account. In a home with traditional furnishings, you will notice many of the pieces have a larger, weightier silhouette.
Most of the more modern furniture pieces follow a cleaner, spatially-conscious profile. By adding a couple of swivel chairs, you create bold decor without overwhelming the space. A swivel chair looks right at home in such a room.
Make It Work
When combining the traditional with the modern, try to strike a balance. Start with a calm base and mix your furniture shapes, patterns, and materials. Show personality with a statement piece, use color wisely, and make sure your furniture fits the scale of your rooms. When you have Serena and Lily swivel chairs, it’s easy to mix and match the styles. You can have old bones and new skin, and your space will feel pulled together, fabulous, and timeless.
