Layering is a critical piece of a polished and wow-worthy home. That includes layering patterns, accessories, and even finishes. Mixing painted and wood finishes in a home can be one of the most difficult things to do successfully. If you use all the same finishes in a space, like all white or all pale wood, the room can look flat or boring. It’s so much more interesting to have a mix of finishes that complement each other. There are a few go-to methods that interior designers stick to for those beautifully layered rooms. Here are three of my favorites.

1. Establish Dominance

Just as you would do when mixing patterns in a room, it’s key to let one finish be the dominant one. That’s true whether that dominant look is a painted finish or a wood finish. In the room above, the bold blue is definitely in charge. The beautiful wood tones are supporting players, adding warmth and contrast. If there were equal amounts of the wood finishes vs. the painted ones, it would create an unbalanced look with both styles fighting to capture your eye.

2. Watch Your Undertones

Something most people miss is that wood finishes definitely have colors - it isn’t just a matter of light or dark. There can be warm undertones like yellows, or cool ones like grays. In the beach house above, the mix of those undertones is what gives this room a subtle and polished look. The table has that yellow undertone, while the chairs have both a pink undertone in the wood, and a gray-green undertone in the woven seats and backs. There is a balance to the room because of the mix. Be careful of those undertones, though. Sometimes they can clash - like an orange against a pink.

3. Light vs. Dark

Remember those Victorian homes that seemed so heavy and somber? It was the fashion then to use dark finishes on everything - walls, furniture, and floors. To avoid that dated and gloomy look, you have to have a balance of light and dark finishes. In the kitchen above, you can see that the wood cabinetry is perfectly balanced by the multi-toned floor and the painted walls. Rather than looking drab, this kitchen is warm and chic because of that harmony in the finishes.

Use these ideas to get the perfect layered look in your home. And if you need help from me and my team, just reach out to connect with us.

All the best,

Kara