House and Home May 2015 / Photographer: Stacey Brandford
Hi friends! It’s been a while. I didn’t mean to disappear from the blog last week — life got busy with several big projects, deadlines, and a few unexpected events that demanded my attention. Between family, work, and everything else, I needed to press pause for a short time to focus on what was in front of me. All is well now, and I appreciate your patience.
Over the next few posts I’ll share updates on what I’ve been working on, including our bedroom makeover and the new shutters. But for today I want to answer a reader’s question about creating a cohesive look in your home.
On a recent bedroom post a reader asked how I “connect the design dots” when blending different styles and colors. It’s a great question. When your home contains pieces collected over time or you love several different styles, rooms can sometimes feel a little disjointed. The good news is that creating cohesion is easier than it seems, and your home will remain unique to you.
I’ve written about this topic before and included ideas in my decorating books, but here’s a concise, practical approach to blending styles and making a home feel intentionally put together.
Create Continuity.
Mixing furniture styles or using varied pieces doesn’t mean you have to force every room into a single trending look. You don’t need to simplify everything to one style or a strict color palette. Instead, focus on creating continuity — repeating a few elements across a room or throughout the house so the overall look reads as cohesive.
House and Home / Photographer: Michael Graydon / Designer: Anne Hepfer
Elements that help create continuity
1. Color
Repeating a color in several places instantly ties a room together. Use the same accent color on pillows, a throw, or a piece of decor, and your eye will read those items as related. The same concept applies to wood tones: while mixing wood finishes is fine, repeating one tone in a few key pieces helps visually connect the space.
2. Pattern
Repeating a pattern can unify a room. That might mean placing two or three pillows in the same fabric on a sofa, using a patterned rug that anchors diverse furniture, or echoing a print in curtains and an upholstered chair. Patterns repeated thoughtfully make the design feel deliberate.
3. Architecture
Architectural details contribute strongly to a home’s continuity. Repeating door styles or hardware, using consistent molding, choosing matching metals for faucets and lighting, or installing uniform flooring throughout common areas all help create a cohesive look. Even small, achievable repeats will register with the eye and enhance unity.
4. Accessories
Accessories are an easy way to link rooms. Matching lamps, a group of vases in a shared color, or accessories with a similar shape can make separate pieces feel like part of a coordinated plan. Curating a few repeated accents makes the space feel intentional without being matching or overdone.
5. Style
You don’t have to abandon the styles you love to achieve cohesion. Instead, choose one style or a recurring shape and include it often enough to act as a visual thread—whether that’s a set of chairs, an antique piece repeated in a few rooms, or a preference for straight-lined furniture. Even a subtle recurring element can harmonize a diverse collection.
Creating continuity doesn’t require strict uniformity; it’s about giving the eye patterns and repeats to follow so different pieces read as part of the same story.
So, what is your style?
Do you prefer an eclectic mix, or do you tend to stick with a single look? Think about one or two repeating elements you can introduce to bring more cohesion to your home.
Want to create a home you can’t wait to come back to? I can help with that.
Grab your copy of Simple Decorating to jump-start your style and refresh your home with budget-friendly, practical ideas. You’ll learn to embrace your preferences, reimagine your spaces, and transform overlooked rooms into favorite places.
Order Simple Decorating to start creating spaces you love.
Related Post:
3 Tips to Mix and Match to Get the Style You Want