We’ve all felt that tempting pull while browsing furniture stores and model homes. The living room vignettes feature polished collections where the sofa, loveseat, chairs, and tables all match perfectly. “Wouldn’t my home look so put together if everything coordinated?” we think. But be warned – relying solely on those pretty matched living room sets can make your space feel as stale as last week’s leftovers faster than you can say “bad design decision.
While having some matching pieces provides visual harmony, decorating your entire living area in a single collection often results in a boring, cookie-cutter look devoid of personality. In this post, we’ll explore why matching furniture sets fall flat and provide tips to create a stylish, personalized living room with plenty of depth and interest. Get ready to break up the matchy-matchy monotony!
Why Matching Furniture Fails
It’s easy to see why those flawlessly coordinated showrooms lure us in. But before you pull out your credit card for the whole suite, consider these downsides of only using matching living room sets:
- Creates a boring, monotonous look devoid of personality or uniqueness.
- Can feel cheap, temporary, and impersonal like a hotel or rented apartment.
- Makes it difficult to change up the look later on.
- Severely limits your ability to inject color, texture, and varied styles.
Relying solely on matching furniture collections gives a space a flat, one-dimensional feeling. Without layers of light, color, and a mix of textures, the room lacks visual interest and dimension. Just walking into an all-matchy living room can make you feel uninspired. Where’s the character? The story? The feeling of home?
Tips to Style Matching Sets Like a Pro
Does this mean you need to avoid all matching furniture? Not necessarily. Having a matching sofa and loveseat or a pair of coordinated end tables provides harmony. But you don’t want your living room to look like it was churned out of a factory. The trick is working in other pieces that add personality. Follow these tips to give your matching furniture a stylish, curated look.
Invest in Statement Pieces
Instead of buying a full matching living room set, put that budget towards one or two eye-catching statement pieces. This could be a conversation-starting accent chair, a boldly patterned sofa, or an intriguing, sculptural coffee table. These unique finds will become anchor pieces in your space, adding interest and flair.
Search local boutiques, flea markets, and online retailers like Article and West Elm to discover options loaded with style. You want the statement pieces to command attention while your more basic matching items fade into the background. The contrast creates visual depth and helps your living room feel curated rather than cookie-cutter.
Mix and Match Textures
One of the easiest ways to add personality to a matching living room set is to incorporate pieces with different textures. Consider the following pleasing pairs:
- A nubby wool throw blanket on a sleek leather sofa
- A brushed velvet pillow on a linen-upholstered chair
- A rustic, reclaimed wood coffee table atop a plush wool rug
When you mix and match textures like velvet, leather, linen, and wood, it brings visual richness and depth to the living room. The space feels luxe, layered, and inviting. Use textured accents throughout the room – pillows, throws, rugs, curtains, and beyond.
Play with Scale
Scale refers to the size and proportions of furniture pieces. For another way to add interest to matching furniture, incorporate pieces of varying scales.
You could pair that six-piece sectional suite with a small, streamlined armchair. Or place a substantial floor lamp behind a dainty end table. When furniture pieces differ in size, it creates a sense of balance and asymmetry.
You can stick with a cohesive color palette while playing with scale. The contrast of big and small makes the living room more dynamic. So don’t be afraid to mix substantial seating with delicate accent tables or a petite chair.
Experiment with Color
When working with matching furniture sets, it’s tempting to play it safe with neutral colors. But incorporating bright, energizing hues is a surefire way to liven up the look. Don’t be afraid to pair your neutral sofa with accent chairs or stools in vibrant tones like aqua, mustard, or ruby. The pops of color will make the living room feel fresh and fun instead of bland and boring. You can also weave in colorful artwork, patterned throw pillows, and eye-catching rugs. Limit these vibrant accents to one or two statement pieces so they contrast beautifully with your neutral furnishings. The color provides personality without overwhelming the space.
Additional Upgrades for a Unique Look
Ready to add even more flair? Incorporate some of these upgrades to take your living room’s style up a notch:
- Mix metal, wood, and glass pieces for an eclectic, curated vibe.
- Layer in throw pillows and blankets with bold floral, striped, or abstract prints.
- Display repurposed vintage finds from flea markets and antique shops.
- Create a gallery wall filled with colorful artwork and prints.
- Incorporate sculptural lighting like rustic wood lamps or sleek metallic sconces.
- Add eye-catching greenery with potted plants and fresh flowers.
- Arrange stacks of decor books along with objets d’art on the coffee table.
This layered, collected look has significantly more appeal than a flat, matching furniture set alone. So embrace combining various elements like vintage charisma, artistic expression, organic greenery, and Old World charm.
We all get tempted by those gorgeous living room sets where every last piece coordinates flawlessly. But relying entirely on matchy-matchy furniture results in a boring, one-note look. While some matching items create harmony, you need contrast to bring a space to life.
Invest in special statement pieces, mix up your textures and scales, and don’t be afraid of vibrant pops of color. With these upgrades, your matching furniture will gain loads of personality and style. Ditch the monotonous look and create a living room you can’t wait to spend time in and show off. Your space, your style!
Looking to add some flair this weekend? Start small by picking up an eye-catching throw pillow or bold vase. Little by little, you’ll create a living area that’s distinctly YOU.
