A Mélange of Unforeseen Style Blends: Bookshelf Wealth, Coastal, Cabin, and Art Deco, these are the groundbreaking pairings designers are utilizing to spice up styles in 2025
In the world of interior design, experts are suggesting six unexpected style combinations to add personality, contrast, and visual interest to home interiors. These combinations, endorsed by top designers, encourage mixing styles that traditionally might not be paired.
- Modern Minimalist x Classicism Blending the simplicity and clean lines of modern minimalism with the elegance and detail of classical design creates balanced, timeless interiors. Designer Kathy Kuo notes that classically inspired designs that pair traditional pieces with modern elements create a space that feels layered, calm, and quietly confident.
- Bookshelf Wealth x Coastal Combining the warm, curated vibe of abundant bookshelf styling ("bookshelf wealth") with relaxed coastal elements results in a personalized yet breezy atmosphere. This combination can be seen in a sunlit study by the sea, where bookshelf wealth and coastal decor balance each other beautifully.
- Masculine x Feminine Mixing masculine materials and tailored pieces with feminine colors, patterns, and textures strikes a harmonious visual contrast that feels both structured and soft. Sherrell Neal suggests blending feminine and masculine elements to create visually interesting and uniquely personal rooms.
- Mid-Century Modern x Eclectic Using mid-century modern’s clean structural backdrop as a stage to layer eclectic, global, and colorful furnishings and art results in a dynamic, individualistic space. Mid-century modern style can provide a structural backdrop for the layered unpredictability of eclectic decor.
- Unexpected Chrome Accents Incorporating chrome elements even in warm or historically contrasting spaces adds a gleaming punctuation mark and breaks up tonal schemes, following the 'unexpected chrome theory'.
- Organic Layering Layering varied textures organically, such as cowhide rugs layered over neutral carpets, adds depth and intrigue in a natural yet sophisticated way.
Some examples of these combinations in practice include a primary suite with mid-century curves meeting tailored, masculine materials, softened by a playful floral accent ceiling and a gentle, tonal palette. Another example is a chic sofa from Lulu and Georgia that showcases the trend of curved couches.
In the realm of unique home decor, a rug by Drew Micheal Scott of Lone Fox for Joon Loloi has been lifted directly from a 17th-century Belgian tapestry. A vintage mid-century modern glass light has been crafted with elegant white stripes that spiral through its surface to create a truly eye-catching pendant design. A zebra-adorned wallpaper, designed by Floral Scalamandre in 1945, adds a lively statement to walls with modern technology for easy application and removal.
Designers also recommend incorporating pieces that add personality and charm, such as a large square butcher block with an aged patina and an undulated surface, adding charm and warmth to a farmhouse or rustic kitchen. A tomato-shaped cocotte adds instant, everlasting European charm to a kitchen. A unique bolster pillow designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia features an intricate tiger print motif.
Even in the realm of technology, designers are finding ways to incorporate it seamlessly into the home. A pale wood nightstand, crafted from solid acacia and given a distressed finish, features a woven western-inspired leather detail and a built-in USB port for bedside charging. Joanna Gaines' vintage-inspired rug, part of her Loloi collection, has all the personality of a thrifted find but is machine-washable and power-loomed from recycled plastic.
In conclusion, these six unexpected interior design style combinations offer a fresh and exciting approach to creating a unique home that reflects the homeowner's personality and taste. Whether you prefer modern minimalism, classicism, bookshelf wealth, coastal decor, masculine and feminine styles, or a mix of mid-century modern and eclectic decor, there is a combination that suits your style. So, don't be afraid to mix and match for a truly personalized and visually interesting home.
- To create a unique living room, consider the unconventional pairing of a sleek, modern sofa from Fashion-and-Beauty brands like Lulu and Georgia with traditional, ornate wooden accents for a new take on the masculine and feminine style combination.
- For a dining area that combines elegance with a relaxed vibe, blend books from the 'books' category as decorative elements on open bookshelves with rustic, home-and-garden-inspired dining sets for a Bookshelf Wealth meets Coastal style.
- Infuse your home with the fusion of Education-and-Self-Development and lifestyle by displaying intriguing books offered from renowned publishers, acting as engaging conversation starters during Entertainment events or simple everyday gathering.
- In the kitchen, add a touch of food-and-drink culture by incorporating vintage cookware like a tomato-shaped cocotte or a large square butcher block with an aged patina.
- Create a technology-forward but still warm and inviting home office by opting for a desk made of pale wood with a built-in USB port and a western-inspired leather detail.
- Utilize unexpected Chrome Accents, such as chrome desk lamps or kitchen appliances, to give your space a contemporary twist and inject some modern glamour into your home-and-garden decor.
