Mixing Styles Like a Pro
Most people find themselves drawn to a wide range of art pieces—figure sketches as well as floral oil paintings, vibrant abstracts as well as more subdued watercolors. When it comes to weaving various types of art styles throughout your home, by no means should you hold back for fear of your space appearing inconsistent, either within a singular space or from one room to the next, interior designers explain.
“I try to mix mediums the way you’d mix guests at a dinner party: a moody oil portrait next to a loose pencil sketch next to a bold abstract,” says Rebecca Amir, the founder of Rebecca Amir Design. “The contrast is what makes each piece sing.”
At the same time, sticking to a general palette throughout your space is essential. “Look for those colors in art that speak to you, then build room palettes around those pieces to make individual rooms feel unique,” offers Jen Lorentzen, the founder of Fore Story Projects. “For example, dark green might be a wall paint in one room, and an accent in another.”
Keep reading for more tips from the experts on how to skillfully embrace different styles of artwork throughout the house, because there’s truly no need to limit yourself to one specific type of drawing or painting when decorating.
Art Included: Departing Palm Springs by Jens Ochlich, Yellow Submarine - Burano style by Moon Bunny, Meaning of Life by Marcus Cederberg
This dining room illustrates how nice a mix of different art styles can look within a singular space. Be sure to select works that truly speak to you. “We seek art that reflects an owner’s passions and preferences, revealing a bit about their story one piece at a time,” notes Courtney Smith, the founder of Courtney B. Smith Design.
Art included: Papaya by Lyubov Fonareva, Citrus by Janet Bludau, With Me by Lissa Scotland
Don’t forget to bring art into your cooking space. “I like to think about creating intimacy with a piece of art,” says Ellyn Spragins, an interior designer with Ainsley Brookins Design. “Place a smaller piece that could easily be overlooked near a light switch or propped against a kitchen sink window—someplace where people pause.”
Not sure what to display? “A great fruit piece is a kitchen must-have,” says Michelle Gage, the founder of Michelle Gage Interior Design. That said, don’t be afraid to veer beyond the obvious, too. “To create a cohesive home, it's all about the mix,” she adds.
Mother Goose by Jen Matthews, Constantly evolving, intertwining by Christina Flowers, Sugar City by Femke Colaris
Within a singular room, it’s important to let one piece play a dominant role. “Identify the main focal point for artwork and allow all other pieces to play into it as supportive secondary notes,” suggests Sophia deDomenico, the founder of Et Sal Interiors. “Too many places to look without one clear directive creates a tone of visual noise, similar to an orchestra with all the instruments playing their own tune—it all becomes competitive, instead of cohesive!”
Paralelles et autre vois Etude No. 01 by Karolina Szekely, The Tiger by Anne-Louise Ewen, Checkerflowers by Erica Catherine.
When mixing mediums within a singular room, let a shared element guide you. “We try to incorporate something that helps the selections feel connected,” says Becky Aselson, the founder of Maple & White Design. “It could be a color that shows up subtly in each piece, or the overall feel is the same, or there’s a theme that ties them together—all of the pieces are nature based, for example.” In this bedroom, a pink and white color palette serves as a common ground.
Published on: June 24, 2026 Modified on: June 24, 2026 By: Artfully Walls
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