Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Not that I want to go psychedelic or antyhing, but....

OK. DH and I have a house in SC. Right now we use it for vacation and plan to eventually move there, but not any time soon. Because we don't spend a LOT of time there, and don't plan to move there very soon, we are not putting the most expensive furniture in it.

That said, the particular floor plan we chose actually has two rooms that require living room furniture. One room we use as the general family-room (where the TV is, close to the kitchen, etc.) This is the furniture we have in that one.



I keep feeling self-imposed pressure that the other room should be more formal. But more formal tends to be more expensive.

DH says that because there is already "brown" furniture in the family room, that we need to break up all that brown with another color. (I personally love brown and blue together; the accent pillows and accent chair in the pic above have blue in them.)

For the living room that you see when you first enter the house, I'm really liking this furniture:



But I'm feeling like I'm copping out with that choice. I can't make up my mind!!! UGH!!!

Help.

P.S. - I would choose different accent pillows for the blue set, along with a less "busy" area rug.

Message edited 5/11/2009 4:19:56 PM.

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

i think the non matching furniture will look good. i dont think the furniture should match since its two different rooms - but if its a very open floorplan i think the furniture should compliment eachother....

we have the same issue with the house we are trying to buy - its in florida and its an open floor concept....the dining room and "formal living room" are one big open space that leads into the "family room"....we are trying to figure out how to make all 3 spaces flow but also be their own seperate areas - its hard b/c if you are in the dining area or living room you can still see the family room - so you want paint, furniture and style to be complimentary but i dont think it has to "match" either....

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Of course it's totally a matter of opinion... we personally have everything match (we live in a very small place that could easily look very cluttered if there are too many patterns and colors)

My mom's house (very large) has a modern living room and many antiques in the dining room and den... it works becuase there is a common cherry and walnut wood color throughout.

conversely, I think it may also work if it's a similar style but complementary colors.

With your set of furniture, I think you could do a 2nd set that's more colorful... but personally, I think the particular couch you chose is too different from the original. Maybe if it were a navy? or the contrasting piping would disappear? Something to make the blue set a little less country cottage.... But right now, they are both different colors and styles... KWIM?

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

I am not matchy matchy at all...

I don't like rules

I think the piping on the couch is throwing me off.

I agree with breaking up the brown...but I think I would lean more towards an orange the that blue.

but if you like it go for it

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Its really a matter of opinion! I love non matching furniture more! It gives more contrast!!!! Just make sure its in the same color family and you will be fine!

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

none of my furniture "matches" but the styles, tones and color palette all coordinate.

there is no rule of thumb when selecting furniture other than making sure the styles and colors blend well with one another. IMO, the blue couches are too bold for your current color palette.

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

When DH and I got married last year and we painted our house and had a clean slate, I chose a color scheme for each room and made sure that all throughout the first floor each of the rooms complimented one another. I stood in certain areas to look at the walls in the other rooms as I put up paint samples to make sure they all complimented one another and then took it to the next step and decorated based on the room's color scheme.

I think there has to be some continuity throughout one particular floor, but not exact matching stuff.

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

I think it is totally a matter of personal preference. If you like it, do it!

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

Ok so what do you guys think of this one? Too "traditional" looking? (I never knew I could be so indecisive!)

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?

this style is VERY different than the blue you posted. IMO it is a bit too traditional for your current furniture. i think the wood adds to the traditional style. look for something that is maybe lighter in color than the one you have but somewhat of the same shape (lines).

C&B has a good selection.

Re: Does all the furniture really have to "match"?