How to use 'mixed materials' in the home

Whether you’re starting from scratch with a blank canvas or looking to update your home with some new accent pieces, it can be difficult to know which materials to choose for your home and how to use them together to create a style that represents you. Mix interiors offer depth, interest and intrigue, creating the feel of a home with stories and memories. So whether you’re mixing old with new interior design or simply looking for a way to upgrade a room that you’re bored with, look no further.

 

Read on for how to use mixed materials to recreate this year’s top 9 interior trends.

 

Bohemian interiors are the original mixed media styles. They have traditionally combined the use of different rich colours and textures for a laid-back, quirky and cosy feel. The most common mix of materials you’ll see in a boho interior is lush textured fabrics like velvet with natural materials like raw, untreated wood or bamboo. Keep metallic elements to a minimum, and choose reflective pieces that will bounce the light around rather than dark or industrial styles. By adding finishing touches such as grass fringed mirrors, your room will transform into an open airy space. Boho interiors also use mixed materials as wall decor, with macrame and woven pieces such as patterned tapestry. 

 

 

Loft style decor is all about mixing modern chic with industrial cool. Think exposed brickwork with chunky metal lighting, glass and wood furniture, abstract art and a touch of comfort with simple textiles. It is no surprise that mixing metals with this interior design style is commonly found in a loft-style home so don't be shy when it comes to using both gold and silver shades. Think solid, striking black bed frames softened with wooden sideboards, sleek and chic leather bar stools and ultra-modern glass lighting. Loft interior designs tend to favour darker, moodier hues with a slightly grungy edge.

 

To achieve a Scandi-style home, it’s about keeping things simple. This rule of thumb should be followed right down to your kitchen utensils. This Scandi pot set uses natural wood finished with cool accents for a calm, minimalist look. Scandi schemes play with cool blue and green hues for a relaxed, chilled vibe. This can leave you with a slightly stark feel, so introduce tactile, cosy elements with fibres such as textured wools, fleeces and linens. Clutter is a no-no for a Scandi-style home, so make sure you invest in plenty of storage options. 

 

Perfect for the colder months, curate a cosy style for your home by switching a few key pieces. This is one of the best ways to give your home a totally different feel from summer to winter. Cosy is all about texture and lighting. Switch bright metallic spotlights for smooth tealight holders that give off a warm glow. Exchange cool linens and light cotton for plush velvets, fuzzy fleeces and fluffy faux fur finish creating a cocoon of cosy. Accessorise with throws and blankets in neutral or pastel tones to create a haven of warmth and peace.

Whether you’re a frequent globetrotter or not, create the feeling of a well-travelled style by choosing a combination of more exotic materials to furnish and accessorise your home. Berber-style rugs, colourful and abstract textiles, bamboo and reed artisanal crafts and furniture inspired by different cultures will all give the impression that you’ve seen it all. An easy way to curate a global style is to create an accent wall with artwork, sculptures and tribal wall art made from different materials. Think black and white photographs interspersed with bamboo fans and exotic ceramics.

 

Luxe interiors need to ooze sophistication and glamour. It’s all about sleek, shiny metals, cool moody marbles and rich fabrics. Think silver and gold hues, striking blacks and bright whites. Stick to a neutral colour palette and let your metals gleam through or choose intense, vibrant colours to accentuate the lushness of your style. We love the combination of glimmering gold wire tables, chic marble designs and elegant white fabrics for the ultimate luxe look.

 

Monochrome is all about shades of black, grey and white. This pattern is not limited to furniture, as monochrome wallpaper looks bold and elegant, especially if you then add accents of a single colour (or colour spectrum) to enhance your decor. The beauty of a monochrome interior is that you can mix and match almost any material you can think of as the colour palette accentuates the coordinated look. Mixing old with new interior designs with this trend lends itself to contrasting industrial metals with fluffy fabrics. Think carefully about the finishing touches such as fun scatter cushions as they can add a quirky take on this sophisticated style.

Retro is an interior vibe you can take as far as you want to go. You can choose small accent pieces such as artwork or printed textiles for a nod to a vintage style, or embrace all things retro with funky wallpaper. Colour and shape play as much of a part in creating a retro look as material; think warm hues and clashing prints with accentuated curved furnishings for a truly vintage feel. Textures are essential when it comes to retro style; think stained woods with smooth finishes, fluffy textiles and metallic hints.

 

Bring a little bit of the jungle home with you by introducing touches of the exotic trend to your home. Be adventurous and team bold foliage prints with rich colours and shiny metallic accents for a room that’ll give you a tropical feel whatever the weather. Or mix interiors by using exotic bedding alongside dark, vintage furnishings for a more subtle nod to the exotic trend. Mix natural materials like wood and bamboo with lush prints and sleek metals for a colourful style with a truly exotic feel.

It is no surprise this interior trend is still going strong, and experts are saying it is here to stay. Don't opt for boring blocks of colours and shades of the same family and inject your personality by experimenting with materials and textures. Follow our guide on how to optimise your interior with these 7 trend lighting styles.