Does Living Room Furniture Have to Match?
Your living room is one of the most important spaces in your home. As you design and decorate this space, one question may come to mind: Should living room furniture match?
Well, the answer is yes and no because it’s up to you!
Mixing and matching different styles and matching different styles and pieces of furniture can create a personalised and unique feel while opting for living room sets creates a cohesive and formal look.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of matching furniture and how you can coordinate your furniture to help you create a living space you truly enjoy.
Pros of matching living room furniture
Matching sets still have their place, especially for those who value simplicity. There’s a certain appeal to walking into a room where everything feels harmonious and seamless.
Matching living room furniture is also incredibly convenient — it eliminates the guesswork of coordinating styles and ensures a balanced design. If you choose a matching sofa and ottoman, for example, they'll all have the same style, colour, and fabric. This makes your space feel more put together and organised as you don't have to worry about clashing styles or colours.
Another advantage of matching living room furniture is that it simplifies decorating. When all your furniture pieces have the same style and colour, choosing complementary decors, such as throw pillows, rugs, and curtains, is simpler. This can be especially helpful if you're not confident in your interior design skills.
Cons of matching living room furniture
However, the downside of matching furniture is that it can lack personality. A uniform look may feel too polished or even monotonous over time, leaving little room for creativity.
In contrast, a mix of pieces, such as mismatched couches or chairs, can add a touch of personality to the living room.
So, for those who thrive on change and personalisation, a matching setup might not be the ideal fit.
Tips for matching living room sets
If you’re leaning toward a matching setup, here are some tips on how you can avoid a monotonous look:
Choose a colour scheme
A colour scheme can help tie your furniture together and create a cohesive look. You can use different shades of one colour throughout the living room to make your furniture match. Alternatively, choose a complementary colour scheme (colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, like blue and orange) for visual cohesion amidst the contrast.
You can also use a neutral colour as a base and then add pops of colour with accent pieces.
@anniemescallhome creates a cohesive living room with two Dawson Sofas.
@bobmubarak’s predominantly white living room consists of the Jonathan Side Chaise Sofa, Amber Bouclé Swivel Chair, and Guin Round Coffee Table.
Consider the style
For a polished aesthetic, choose furniture from the same design era. For example, if you’re going for a mid-century modern interior style, you may want to choose furniture sets with leather or dark wood accents.
Naturally, the furniture pieces you pick will align with the chosen style, creating cohesion without being overly uniform.
Choose coordinated materials
Instead of exact matches, look for pieces that share similar materials, like a wooden coffee table and a media console with matching wood tones. This can help tie everything together and create a uniform look without overdoing it.
The Isaac Leather Terminal Chaise Sectional Sofa Set pairs perfectly with the wooden tones of the Andre Coffee Table. Picture credits: @mensweardog
@bekhalliday mixes marble and wood in the living room, creating a cosy and calm space with natural elements. Pictured: The Jonathan Side Chaise Sectional Sofa.
Don't forget about scale
When investing in furniture sets, many people forget to consider the scale of the living room. As there can be several pieces in a living room set, it’s important to find one that works best for your space.
For example, if you have a small living room, match a sofa with a compact coffee table set that doesn't overwhelm the space, so there’s more room for other activities.
The Vincent Coffee Table Set can be stacked to reduce space or used separately as two coffee tables when needed. Picture credits: @bbbuffaloe
@paulpayasalad opts for the Marlow Performance Bouclé Curve Sofa to complement the other pieces in the space, like the armchair and coffee table.
In addition to choosing the correct scale for your furniture, it's also important to consider the scale of different pieces in relation to each other. For example, a small accent table next to a large sofa can make the table look insignificant.
Add accent pieces
Once you have your main pieces of furniture, you can add accent pieces to tie everything together. This can include throw pillows, rugs, and decorative accessories to match the main furnishings.
When you choose accent pieces that complement your living room furniture, you create a harmonious look that feels intentional and put together. For example, if you have a blue sofa, you could choose pillows in a complementary shade of blue.
In addition to helping tie furniture together, accent pieces can add personality and interest to your living room. They can be used to introduce new colours, patterns, and textures, or to highlight your personal style.
Create a symmetrical layout
When you have matching living room furniture, a symmetrical layout is the ideal way to arrange your furniture, as it can help to showcase these pieces and make them stand out. This arrangement also helps create a sense of continuity in the space, making it feel more welcoming and comfortable.
For example, if you have two identical sofas, place them facing each other with a coffee table in between. You can also place matching armchairs on either side of the sofas to create a balanced and cohesive look.
Don't be afraid to mix and match pieces
While matching furniture can create a cohesive look, you don't have to match them strictly. Mixing different styles and pieces of furniture can create a unique and personalised look – just make sure they are of similar materials and colour tones to ensure your living room doesn’t look cluttered.
@homewithstefani pairs the Dawson Sofa and Madison Leather Sofa together in the living room.
Despite different furniture pieces in one space, @sezairi still creates a cohesive space. Pictured: The Lucas Performance Bouclé Sofa, Ingrid Sherpa Chair, and Sacha Performance Bouclé Armchair.
Try colour-matching furniture and walls
Colour matching the walls to your living room sets can be a great way to create a cohesive and polished look in your space.
If you have a bold or colourful living room set, consider using neutral colours like white, beige, or grey on your walls to create a clean and modern look. This ensures that your living room isn’t too loud and complicated.
You can also match the wall colour to a dominant colour in the furniture, such as by having a dark-coloured accent wall to match a black sofa.
Recommended read: How to Style Your Living Room with a Black Sofa
Matching furniture doesn’t have to be boring
Living room furniture doesn't have to match, but it also doesn't have to be completely mismatched. By mixing and matching different styles, textures, and colours, you can create a unique and personalised living room that feels cohesive and stylish.
Whether you opt for matching sets or an eclectic mix, the key is to choose pieces that reflect your personality and taste.
FAQs
Can I mix different wood finishes in my living room?
Absolutely! The key is to choose finishes that complement each other. For instance, warm-toned woods like oak and walnut pair beautifully, while lighter finishes can create contrast.
Should my coffee table match my TV stand?
Not necessarily. As long as the two pieces share a common style or colour, they don’t need to be identical. Mixing materials, like wood and metal, can add interest.
How do I mix patterns without clashing?
Stick to a cohesive colour palette and vary the scale of the patterns. For example, combine a bold floral print with subtle stripes or geometric designs.
Is it okay to use different seating styles in one room?
Mixing seating styles, such as a plush sofa and a sleek armchair, can add character. Use pillows or throws in similar colours to tie them together. Refer to the tips we shared above on how you can effectively match different seating styles.
