Furniture Pairing Basics

By Sklar Furnishings

Design Inspiration, Tips & Trends

September 7, 2015

Furniture pairing might sound complicated but it needn’t be. By following a few classic design rules while taking some new trends into consideration anyone can have a perfectly paired room.

In terms of pairing up items from a color perspective, the best way to approach this topic is by considering the 60/30/10 rule. This rule is a classic that many interior designers use to create harmony, balance and variety within a space. What it entails is 60 per cent of your room should be devoted to your main colour which will go on bigger items like the walls, an area rug, maybe even the couch. The color designated to 30 per cent of the room will go on secondary items like smaller pieces of furniture and drapery. The last 10 per cent is dedicated to your accent color. Hits of your accent color can be scattered throughout the room, through accessories and pops of color from pieces of artwork.

The modern home is a mishmash of design genres, borrowing from different parts of the world and eras. This is helpful because it makes pairing up items easier, as well as collaborating with loved ones on designing a space. Keep in mind when pairing items, opposites compliment each other not only when it comes to color, but also material, which is especially helpful when pairing furniture. For example, a dining table made from reclaimed wood paired with the glamorous and modern Kartell Louis Ghost Chair make an excellent match

When it comes to pairing up colors be willing to think outside the box. If there is a color you love, but are afraid of how it will play with other colors in the room, consider how it could actually work as a neutral. For example, the color green. It’s made up of yellow and blue— yellow is a warm tone and blue is cool. By combining them to create green you get a great neutral as it is rich with saturated color, but also has a balance of warmth and coolness. Another one of our other favorite alternative neutrals is mustard. Re-thinking the way you look at colors can really open up your mind to different pairing options.

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