Homes & Gardens: How to Mix Decades in Interior Design

7 tips from designers who are transitional style experts.

Combine and contrast furniture from across the eras to form an eclectic scheme that's full of history. Here's how to make it work in your home.

Featured in Homes & Gardens | Article by Amelia Smith

Image credit: Audrey Scheck Designs/Adam Kane Macchia

When thinking about how to mix decades in interior design, there is a lot to consider. While room schemes that symbolize a specific period, be it an Art Deco living room or a Mid-Century dining area, are great in providing a coherent space that feels neat, a room that blends timeless interior design styles can feel more personal, eclectic, and interesting.

'Mixing decades helps to create a “lived in” look, a home that has been collected over time and has history and soul,’ says Trish Knight, interior designer and co-founder of Knight Varga Interiors. 'It provides authenticity and comfort, rather than the bland feeling of a perfectly styled space that was all purchased together at one showroom.’

There’s no denying that, generally speaking, the quality of furniture was much higher in years gone by, as pieces were well and truly built to last a lifetime and beyond. From solid woods to hardy fabrics, using vintage and antique designs allows you to have high-quality items, and not necessarily at a high cost.