Interior Design Rules 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 ground light maple floors in a vast urban loft. If your midcentury-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.