The Art Of High Low Style Mixing {7 Tips}

Anytime someone new comes over to my house I get asked the question, “where did you get that?”   I think the question comes up because when you look around my house you’ll notice that my decor has been curated over time and has a personalized look and feel.  I’ve decorated our house to reflect the things we love and because of that, it’s has its own flair.

My decor is  a mix of styles,  a combination of vintage and new, plus a combo of high-end pieces and budget friendly finds.The art of mixing high & low furniture and decor is one of the keys to designing a beautiful room.  Here are my tips on how to mix high and low like an Interior Design Pro!

THE FORMULA TO HIGH LOW STYLE MIXING

Tip # 1:  Invest money in the furniture pieces that will get used the most.

Don’t skimp on statement furniture that you and your family will be using on a daily basis.  Look for high-end furniture like a sofa or dining chairs that have solid construction and long wearing fabrics.  Quality pieces will elevate the style of a room and make inexpensive accessories look glam.

Tip # 2:  Be an equal opportunity shopper because finding the right item is more important than where you bought it.

An equal opportunity shopper simply means being open to shopping a variety of stores for the items you want.  Shop your favorite high-end retailers  as well as budget friendly big-box stores that might have identical or similar items for less.  And don’t count out consignment or thrift stores which can be a great source for high-end looks at a fraction of the cost.

I originally purchased this large blue and white ginger jar from a high-end furniture store.  When I decided a needed a second one to flank my fireplace, I went bargain hunting and found the almost identical jar online for $50 less.

 

Tip #3:  Mix materials and finishes to make a room appear more luxurious than it really is.

Adding texture into your decor is an easy way to elevate the style of a room.  Choose accessories that incorporate a variety of elements like wood, fabric and metal for a layered and custom look.  When a room has visual interest, it automatically looks and feels more polished and sophisticated.

The pieces on my bookshelves include an antique brass bowl (high-end), blue and white pottery (mid to low-end) and a disco ball that I bought on clearance (cheap).  The mix creates a curated look that feels like a grouping of treasures collected over the years.

Tip #4:  Don’t be afraid to UpStyle a low-end piece with high-end details.

I’m sure you’ve all seen how an inexpensive pieces from Ikea can be UpStyled to look like a high-end piece with a few simple enhancements.  A coat of paint, new hardware or the addition of trim work can give a simple piece high-end style.  When you’re out shopping and see an inexpensive piece evaluate its potential and how a little refurbishing could give it a whole new look.

A new set of brass knobs elevated the look of this black Ikea cabinet.  And $30 worth of fabric transformed a pair of $11 thrift store ottomans in to accent pieces that look like the cost a lot of money.

An empty room is a story waiting to happen, and you are the author!

Tip #5:  Invest in a few original pieces like artwork or handmade ceramics.

An original piece of art or handmade craft can be a worthwhile investment and elevate the style of a room.  Original pieces don’t have to cost a fortune these days.  You can find original oil paintings at antique stores or have a new piece commissioned from sites like Minted for less than $500.  Etsy is a great source for handcrafted pottery and wood decor for as little as $20.

TIP #6: Group high and low-priced decorative items by color.

Color is a unifying element and will create a sense of equality between items that are grouped together.  Group pieces of similar color on a tabletop or  pillows from the same color family on the sofa.  To keep things visually interesting, look for items with different patterns or  materials so things don’t look to matchy.

A place setting is a great place to experiment with pulling a color theme together.  With this pacesetting, I used blue and white as the theme but combined different patterns to create the interest.

TIP #7: Decorating your home is a marathon, not a sprint!

A room looks best when it is curated over time. Incorporating things that you love and that will make your home feel unique and special.

What tricks do you have for creating your personal decor style?

*****

For more decorating tips check out these posts…

10 Components To A Beautiful Home

Color Rules

10 Ways To Add Color To Your Decor

 

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