If you’ve moved a lot, regardless of homeowner status, there’s a good chance you have a few mismatched pieces that have followed you from place to place. The biggest hurdle most residents seem to run into is how to match the pieces with their current furniture or vice versa. Here are a few ways to merge your mismatched furniture and decor for a custom, boho-chic home style.
Color is often the first thing people notice when they feel something is aesthetically off. Usually there’s a strange balance of complementary colors or a harsh battle of contrasting colors. Either one will set a spectator off when entering a room. So what do you do when all you have are strange combinations of both clashing and overly flattering pieces? Accessorize with contrast.
If you have too many blues for your yellow room, try finding your favorite blue piece or two to help break up the block of yellow but still allow the yellow to shine through. Too many shades of purple? If you have one bland piece of decor or furniture, incorporate it into your purple room. The contrast is minimal enough not to overtake the room but also different enough to act as a centerpiece, distracting occupants from the excessive purple within the room.
Sometimes, we have that weird piece of furniture that’s shaped like an oblong. We have no idea where to put it, but we love the piece. What do you do? Either use it as another focal point, or use it as funky inspiration.
In a room dominated by lines, a strangely shaped piece of decor or furniture could increase intrigue when occupying the room. If the furniture in the room is less dynamic, but the odd piece sticks out oddly, add to it. Get more dynamic pieces for the room. Do you have a blob-shaped chair? Get a diamond shaped ottoman to make it a fun addition to the room. Is your couch shaped like a shoe insole? Surround it with other soft shapes to help give the room more flow and less rigidity.
Finishes range from matte to glossy, textured to smooth and everything in between. The best way to marry textures is to make sure there is a balance of conflicting finishes. If you have a room with a particularly glossy couch, try using a matte-top table or pull your less-sleek items into the room. This will create another contrast between the textures and reflective surfaces in the room, which could be tantamount if you have a lot of light filtering in.
Ryan Mandigo is an award-winning professional broker associate with Omni Real Estate. Originally a native of New Hampshire, his love of real estate began 30+ years ago while swinging a hammer on a framing crew. He has always had a strong passion for helping people, whether it be assisting a couple in purchasing their first home, finding a home that fits a growing family's needs, or downsizing for those with an empty nest. He strives to build strong personal and professional relationships with being a true believer in the power of positive thinking and always willing to lend a helping hand.
He is also a co-founder and board member of the Swing Fore the Kids organization. A local charity that is 100% nonprofit and their sole purpose is to help needy children and young adults within Horry County communities. He finds great satisfaction and pleasure in seeing how working hard for a great cause and raising funds can help others in need. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Waccamaw Youth Center in Conway, where their mission is to provide at-risk youth "A Place To Call Home"
When he is not working, he enjoys music, working around the home, spending time with family and friends, turning wrenches on vintage vehicles, getting some wind therapy on the Harley or chilling with their dogs.
Some quotes he lives by - "Do what you like and like what you do" - "You have to be odd to be number one" - "Dreams don't work unless you do" And one of his favorites. "Positive and enthusiastic thinking in all you do"