Tips for mixing wood species without making mistakes

Matching different tones and wood species for a warm and personalized decor is not that complicated. However, there are some basic rules to follow to ensure a harmonious result.

In fact, using multiple wood colors and textures could cause an unpleasant visual effect. Here are some tips on how to mix wood species in a room without creating visual chaos.

Choose the dominant wood species

If your floor is made of wood, your dominant species will be that of the floor covering. Even in this case, you can get around this rule by using a large rug that will cover a large area of the floor. Other options include incorporating a large piece of furniture, exposed ceiling beams or even wooden window frames or doors. The rest will act as an accent or secondary color.

Adding contrast

The most important thing when mixing wood species is that the end result looks intentional. To do this, choose shades that are high in light and dark contrasts, such as a light oak floor with a walnut table. A common mistake is to see similar, but not identical, wood species. It looks as if the intention was to have similar shades, but without success.

Hot or cold?

Consider matching tones, too! If your dominant wood tone is warm, mix wood tones with similar warm woods to complement it. If the majority of your decor is cool, choose furniture with blue or gray tones. Note that natural (unstained) woods have a warm color tone, but they can be stained to look warm or cool. This can be very useful in keeping your design in harmony!

The natural boho look

In a very trendy decorating style, the natural boho look, we prefer to keep all the wood species in a room light in color, without contrast. To pull off this look like a pro, it's important to make sure that the warm and cool tones work together perfectly. A difference in this type of decor will derail the entire project.

Prefer similar finishes

If the wood species in your room are all different, maintain some visual cohesion by choosing similar finishes, such as gloss, matte or rustic. In your décor, also consider minimizing the addition of colors and textures to avoid cluttering the final look.

Repeat your successes

Once you've found the shades that work, repeat them in your décor. Having recurring wood tones in your home provides continuity and structure to your space. Repeating each shade at least twice is a surefire way to achieve this look. In addition to the majority elements, such as flooring and furniture, smaller touches such as wood frames, vases and decorative elements will also be used to anchor the chosen look in the room.

What about imitation wood products?

Can wood species be mixed with products that imitate the finish, such as ceramic or vinyl? Absolutely! All of the above rules apply. For example, you can have a warm wood imitation matte ceramic floor in the bathroom, which you coordinate with a warm dark wood vanity.

To achieve a beautiful decor worthy of magazines, you must take your time and consider the basic rules. This will allow you to create a look that reflects your image.