How to Mix and Match Sofas and Chairs
Words by Emma Hughes
September 10, 2025
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6m
The way we furnish our living spaces has changed over the years, and we’re starting to notice new trends form. One new development we’re seeing in interior design is mismatched furniture, as we move away from traditional, perfectly matched suite sets and embrace the charm of mixing sofas and chairs from different styles instead.
It’s a great way to bring life and personality to a room, but is there a right and wrong way to do it? Our guide will run through all the dos and don’ts when it comes to mixing and matching your sofas and chairs, so you can make the most of your furniture without your mismatched seating looking too out of place.
When should you mix and match sofas?
Everyone’s taste in home décor is different. For some, a perfectly matching suite creates a sense of harmony and calm. For others, blending various styles, fabrics, and colours brings a unique personality and energy to a room.
Before you dive into mixing and matching your sofas and chairs, it’s worth pausing to think about a few key things to make sure your space feels cohesive:
Take stock of your existing decor
If your space already has strong elements, such as patterned wallpaper, bold paint colours, or distinctive rugs, introducing new styles or colours might clash and make the room feel disjointed. Ask yourself: will this new piece complement or compete with what’s already there?
Mismatched sofas tend to work best when you start with a blank canvas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work in a more finished space. The key is to look for common threads like a shared colour palette, similar materials, or complementary styles to create balance and make the mix feel intentional.
Don't just follow trends
Just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for your home. Trends come and go, but your home should reflect your personal style, something that feels timeless to you. Instead of designing room by room or chasing every new fad, think about the bigger picture. Each room can have its own personality, but there should be a consistent thread tying your home together, whether that’s a colour story, a favourite design era or a mood you want to evoke.
Take inspiration from trends, but filter them through your own lens. This allows you to create a home that feels intentionally designed, rather than pieced together.
Consider the flow of the room
It’s not just about style, it’s about how the space functions. Think about how people will move through the room: Is there enough space to walk between furniture? Does the layout encourage conversation and comfort?
Even if your pieces are visually different, they should still work together to create a layout that feels natural and welcoming. Arrange seating around a focal point like a fireplace, TV, or coffee table to help the space feel connected rather than scattered.
Cohesion doesn’t always mean everything has to match; it’s about making deliberate choices that support the way you want to live in and use the space.
How to mix and match sofas and chairs
Mismatched furniture requires a keen eye, as too many contrasting colours, patterns or textures can make a home feel busy or disjointed. Here are a few ideas to help you strike that perfect balance:
Style fusion
Designers have been blending styles for decades: think shabby chic, mid-century modern, or French country. When pairing sofas and chairs, the key is to choose styles that contrast, but still complement each other.
For example, a curved, modern boucle sofa adds soft simplicity to a space. Pair it with a wooden mid-century modern chair, and the balance of clean lines and soft curves creates a striking, contemporary look. Prefer something more traditional? Try a rustic leather armchair alongside a minimalist Scandi sofa. The contrast in eras and texture feels dynamic, while a cohesive colour palette ties the look together.
From timeless classics to retro-inspired designs, there are endless combinations to explore; it’s simply about finding the right sofas and chairs for you.
Colour combinations
Colour is one of the easiest and most effective ways to mix and match sofas and chairs. For a cohesive look, try tone-on-tone pairing, where your sofas and chairs share similar hues. This creates subtle variation without overwhelming the space. For example, pairing a dark brown leather sofa with a beige or cream armchair creates a warm, layered effect that works beautifully in both modern and rustic spaces.
If you’re feeling bolder, explore contrasting colours. A deep blue sofa paired with a pastel pink chair creates a soft, homely feel. Or for a more eclectic, retro vibe, match a blue couch with a mustard yellow accent chair to bring energy and personality to the space. Whether you prefer subtle shifts or bold palettes, thoughtful colour combinations can instantly transform a room and make your space feel truly yours.
For more colour combination guidance, be sure to check out our blogs on what colours go with a brown sofa and colour schemes to go with a blue sofa.
Textures & fabrics
If you’re looking for a subtle way to mix and match sofas and chairs, start with textures. Choose pieces with similar colours or styles, but pick contrasting fabrics to vary your palette. This adds depth and visual interest to your design without overwhelming the space.
Try pairing a brown leather sofa with a rich velvet chair for a sophisticated contrast. The leather offers structure and timeless charm, while the velvet adds soft luxury to your space. You could also try combining a wooden lounge chair with a plush fabric sofa for a striking balance of hard and soft textures that work beautifully together. Exploring different textures doesn’t just bring fresh character to a room, but also adds tactile variation, making your space feel more inviting.
Types of sofas & chairs
With so many types of sofas and chairs to choose from, each piece of furniture brings its own personality to a room. Try combining different styles of seating to give your room a unique style.
From corner sofas and chaise lounges to swivel chairs and tub chairs, the possibilities are endless for transforming and elevating your space. For example, pairing a Chesterfield Sofa with a snuggle chair blends elegance with comfort, creating a space that's both timeless and inviting. For a more contemporary feel, try a modular sofa alongside a mid-century modern chair with a wooden frame, giving your room a combination that balances modern comfort with bold, sculptural design.
Accessorise
The right accessories can completely transform a space, helping your sofas and chairs feel effortlessly tied together. Balance is key, though, and the wrong mix can make a space feel cluttered, while the right combination elevates it.
Apply the same principles of colour, texture, and style when choosing cushions, throws, wall prints, or other decor. For example, mixing stripes with florals creates a look that’s boldly confident yet soft. In terms of colour combinations, you can pair a green sofa with dusky pink accents for a subtle contrast, and for a vibrant finish, add daffodil yellow or navy accents.
Finding your perfect blend
Choosing mismatched sofas and chairs is all about finding a perfect balance in the properties of your seating. Try blending bold and neutral tones for a dynamic look, or experiment with colours or materials to give your room a unique finish. You can also try mixing and matching shapes or patterns around your room so that every piece feels like it belongs.
Ready to find the perfect sofas and chairs for your home? Browse the Barker and Stonehouse collection today to find the perfect pieces to suit you. With such a wide variety of seating on offer, you’ll be able to create a space that fits your tastes no matter what. Discover more expert interior advice on our blog!