Design today is much less about staying in a single lane and more about how you mix influences to tell your story. And, when it comes to interior design, the most memorable spaces often don’t stick to just one aesthetic.
If you've always been drawn to layered, lived-in interiors that don't exactly follow the rules, you might be brave enough to embrace these unexpected interior design style combinations.
Of course, it’s not just about throwing two styles together and hoping for the best. There’s a subtle art to combining aesthetics in a way that feels intentional, not chaotic. So that's why we've asked interior design experts for their favorite ways to combine interior design trends to create a home that is entirely unique.
6 unexpected interior design style combinations to try
'The most compelling spaces often come from tension – the balance between seemingly opposing aesthetics that, when thoughtfully combined, create something far more interesting than either could alone,' explains designer Nina Lichtenstein.
'In 2025, design insiders are embracing a new kind of boldness: pairing styles that shouldn’t work together on paper but sing in harmony when executed with intention,' she adds.
Some of the most compelling spaces come from blending styles that at first seem like they shouldn’t go together. Below are six inspiringly unexpected style combinations that think totally outside the box.
1. Modern Minimalist x Classicism
On paper, the clean lines and pared-back sensibility of modern interiors don’t seem like an obvious match for ornate antiques or historical details. But when balanced carefully, the contrast can feel quite powerful.
'Modern minimalist decor ideas and classical details sit beautifully together when each element is given room to breathe,' explains designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'In this townhouse sitting room, for instance, 19th-century antique maps bring a sense of history to the space, while a contemporary curved sofa upholstered in the Lost And Found Fabric by Christopher Farr Cloth adds sculptural softness and a hit of color.'
'We often pair refined antique pieces like a Georgian dresser with modern lighting to create unexpected contrasts that feel fresh yet rooted. When balanced carefully, this mix of 19th and 20th century antiques with considered contemporary forms creates a space that feels layered, calm, and quietly confident.'
'Many of my favorite spaces combine multiple styles for a look that’s beautifully layered and full of character,' adds Kathy Kuo. 'I especially love classically inspired designs that pair traditional pieces with modern elements. The mix of old and new, ornate and simple, distressed and polished feels nostalgic yet fresh, like the best of both worlds wrapped up in one room.'
If you're wondering if curved couches are still on trend, this chic sofa from Lulu and Georgia should prove their popularity. Seen here in gold velvet, the undulating silhouette adds a modern vibe to traditional spaces.
Dating back to the 1960s, this mid-century modern glass vintage light has been crafted with elegant white stripes that spiral through its surface to create a truly eye-catching pendant design.
Made in the USA and encased in a rustic wooden frame, this vintage map wall-art feels like a genuine thrifted piece without the hassle of having to hunt it down. Try sourcing a few for a gallery wall like Lauren's.
2. Bookshelf Wealth x Coastal
Coastal decor ideas and the bookshelf wealth aesthetic sit at opposite ends of the design spectrum – one rich, moody, and layered, the other grounded in lightness and ease. But in practice, when done right, they can actually balance each other in the most beautiful way.
'Combine the intellectual, layered depth of “bookshelf wealth” with coastal style,' suggests Kailee Blalock of House of Hive Design Co. 'Imagine entering a room that feels like a sunlit study by the sea. Built-in shelves are lined with vintage leather-bound books, framed maritime sketches, coral sculptures, and sea glass vases. You see a classic Persian rug underfoot in faded blues and rusts, layered with a natural jute runner to soften the formality. A deep linen slipcovered sofa is accented with ticking stripe pillows, next to an antique reading lamp with a rattan shade.'
Nina Lichtenstein counters this combo by suggesting pairing coastal with dark academia, instead. 'At first glance, it feels contradictory: the breezy lightness of coastal design with the intellectual depth of dark academia. But the magic is in the mood. This pairing brings together air and earth, sun and shadow. It’s a seaside writer’s cottage – windswept, soulful, and layered with stories.'
'Stack books horizontally with shells or coral atop,' adds Kailee. 'But use coastal motifs sparingly to keep the aesthetic sophisticated rather than themed'. This sculptural stone shell adds a nod to the sea without being too literal.
The bookshelf wealth trend blends heirloom pieces with the taste of a scholar, and this little teak table is the perfect companion to a slip-covered, coastal blue reading chair. 'This combination feels like an old professor’s Hamptons cottage, intellectual yet relaxed,' says Kailee.
Of course, you're going to need books – and lots of them. Bookshelf wealth denotes that your collection must be sourced over time, but we advocate for adding a few coastal references with coffee table books, too.
3. Masculine x Feminine
'My approach to unexpected style combinations often involves blending feminine and masculine elements,' says Sherrell Neal, founder of Sherrell Design Studio. 'I consider which colors, finishes, patterns, and textures lean in either direction to strike a balance between them. That contrast, in my opinion, creates visually interesting and uniquely personal rooms.'
'In this primary suite, mid-century curves meet tailored, masculine materials, softened by a playful floral accent ceiling and a gentle, tonal palette. The mix of vintage furnishings and contemporary lighting offers another point of contrast, balancing history with modern ease.'
Instead of picking between sleek, structured interiors and soft, charming spaces, combine the two to elevate each other and provide a harmonious contrast.
Whether you try out ceiling wallpaper ideas or pattern drench the entire space, the beloved Hattie print from Anthropologie is a bold floral that lends feminine charm to the bedroom, bathroom, or cozy office.
Get the masculine meets feminine look of Sherrell's design with this wraparound upholstered bed from Soho Home. It takes its inspiration from mid-century design with the solid oak accents and feels super enveloping to sleep within.
Bold yet delicate, this unique bolster pillow was designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel for Lulu and Georgia with an intricate tiger print motif. The rich, caramel tones add a grounding warmth to a bedscape.
4. Mid-Century Modern x Eclectic
Mid-century modern has always been beloved for its clean lines and timeless appeal – but what about if you tried pairing it with a more eclectic approach?
'Mid-century modern style provides a structural backdrop for the layered unpredictability of eclectic decor,' adds Kailee. 'In this style fusion, the intentional simplicity of mid-century pieces – a walnut credenza, tapered-leg chairs, a classic Nelson bench – becomes the stage for the artful chaos of eclecticism. It’s ideal for clients who appreciate timeless design structures but want to showcase their individuality through collected objects, global textiles, and unexpected color play.'
'We love the unexpected look of pairing interesting architectural details of a traditional home with a more funky and fun interior furnishings and lighting, where interesting curves and oversized, conversational art take the center stage,' adds Alexandra Azart of Plaster & Patina.
Inspired by vintage mid-century modern lighting, this three cone-shaped floor lamp has adjustable shades for effective ambient lighting for your family room or reading nook. The little cut-out details allow the light to shine through each cone.
Whether you use it underfoot or hang it on the wall as a tapestry, the design of this rug by Drew Micheal Scott of Lone Fox for Joon Loloi has been lifted directly from a 17th-century Belgian tapestry Drew sourced himself.
Add a little masculinity to a warm living room with this cast-iron side table. Designed with three curved legs, this French antique-style table is perfect for placing next to a modern or modular sofa to create a subtle contrast in styles.
5. Cozy Cabin x Art Deco
Sure, you might never have imagined the cozy charm of cabin decor ideas playing well with the glamour of Art Deco, but it turns out, they're an unexpectedly perfect match.
'Designing a young boy’s bedroom gave us the freedom to have fun with unexpected style mashups,' explains designer Lindsay Rhodes, who created the eclectic space seen above. 'We paired classic buffalo check – which brings a cozy, mountain-cabin vibe – with a coastal-inspired rattan pendant and crisp stripes. Then we threw in whimsical Art Deco-style zebras for a playful twist. The result is layered, fresh, and full of personality. Kids’ rooms are the perfect place to be bold and out of the box.'
Think of it as rustic warmth meets whimsical elegance, grounded in comfort but elevated by flair.
As cozy as your favorite flannel shirt, this red and black plaid pillow features a signature buffalo check. Made from 100% cotton with a sherpa reverse, it doesn't get more country cabin than this.
Designed by Floral Scalamandre in 1945, this zebra-adorned wallpaper has been created to add a lively statement to your walls. Now with more modern technology, it is available in a peel-and-stick wallpaper design that is easy to apply and even easier to remove.
This pale wood nightstand has been crafted from solid acacia and then given a distressed finish for a lived-in, natural look. The woven western-inspired leather detail provides extra storage, while the drawer features a built-in USB port and plug for bedside charging.
6. Rustic Americana x European
This pairing is one that doesn’t shout for attention but hits you the longer you look at the space. If you've always been drawn to the cozy nostalgia of Rustic Americana, but also want to bring in some European style, this might be the combination for you.
Stephanie Bruss, owner of Designs of the Interior, blended a mix of rustic kitchen ideas with European elegance to create a space that feels both elevated and lived-in.
'We love combining contrasting styles to create spaces that feel collected over time rather than designed all at once. Here, the arched backsplash and antique fish plates bring old-world charm, while warm woods and traditional forms keep it grounded. The rich wood tones, vintage butcher block island, and collected silver pieces evoke old-world charm, while the clean cabinetry and patterned tile bring in a tailored, timeless feel,' Stephanie explains. 'We often mix rustic textures with classic finishes to craft kitchens that feel warm, storied, and functional.'
Decorating with vintage will instantly add charm and warmth to a kitchen, and this large square butcher block is going to be the perfect centerpiece to a farmhouse or rustic space. It has aged with beautiful patina and an undulated surface.
While you can use real tomatoes to accessorize your kitchen with minimal cost, if you want something that sits on your kitchen shelves and adds instant, everlasting European charm, this tomato-shaped cocotte is ripe for the picking.
Designed by Joanna Gaines for her Loloi collection, this vintage-inspired rug has all the personality of a thrifted find but is able to be machine-washed and has been power-loomed from recycled plastic for style with a conscience.
These unique style combinations prove that good design isn’t about following interior design rules – it’s about rewriting them in a way that feels personal, lived-in, and truly original. 'The best interiors don’t follow one rulebook,' Nina agrees. 'They borrow from many, reinterpret them, and dare to imagine something different.'
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