An Interior Design Rule You Should Break

The era of the matching bedroom or dining sets is long gone, but many people are still afraid to mix wood finishes in a single room. Don't be.

Varying wood tones create a layered look. But before you start mixing things up, first consider your floor, the background against which all other wood tones will be set. Darker toned furniture can provide a sense of groundedness to light maple floors in a vast urban loft. If your mid-century modern coffee table disappears into medium-toned oak floors, create a canvas for the table with a light-colored rug. Limit your wood-mixing to two or three tones to start, and try to balance them throughout the space for a harmonious look.
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