The Art of Mixing Styles: Emerging Interior Design Pairings

Designers, open your Pinterests. Chances are, you’ll see a pairing of two trends or styles being combined for an extra edge. It might be “blokette”, a term coined by podcast Nymphet Alumni to describe lacey, feminine garments being mixed with laddish football jerseys. Or perhaps a stylish infographic combining fonts like Tan Paradiso and Helvetica Neue for website headings. But whatever your design field is, you’ll be able to tell that one trend is no longer enough – it’s all about the contrast of two.

Now, why is that? Should you care? Today we’ll dive into those questions, and also identify which twin flame interior design styles are being pushed out in the algorithms of our clients.

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The rise of design pairs: an investigation

The art of mixing styles – in fashion, print and interior design – has been around for decades, first emerging in the French Beaux Arts movement and Britain's Victorian era. During these moments of the 19th century, it became a signifier of taste to be able to mix and match styles, as there was no rule book on how to do it well. Also, the ability of mixing styles meant you were a travelled, cultured person with a large reference bank to go off of.

Of course, there was a colonial undertone to these “mixing” adventures. Many of the new styles were coming from new British colonies, from which traditional artefacts were being bought or taken at small prices and sold to the British upper and middle classes at a profit. These totally new ways of seeing design and beauty from Asia and Africa deeply influenced how we attempt mixing styles, and it's worth mentioning their impact.

Since then, we have seen ups and downs in the history style mixing. While designers and homeowners have, to a certain extent, always mixed and matched from their personal reference arsenal, some design eras have been more cohesive (70s kitschiness, we’re looking at you), and others, a little less.

Nowadays, with an ever evolving social media algorithm that unveils and burrows styles with light speed, everyone is doing a bit of style mixing – also known as eclectic design. Consumers and designers alike use mood boards to curate their own vision, and the act of pairing styles has become a national sport. Design style “couples” have become a social media sensation. But… Why now? Why this rise?

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Bedroom, watercolour by Fernand Pelez de Cordova (1820-1899)

The SEO angle

Social media algorithms now function like search engines, providing content to respond to users' queries. When we add two popular terms together (e.g. mid century, and modern), we find ourselves serving the algorithm two-fold, thus improving the chances of our content being discovered. Hence these new pairings.

Content is content

Interior designers and interior design influencers have propelled the need for new terms in this niche of the internet. As some designers move to make social media a large side income and a lead generator, it is natural that more terms are needed to create more commentary content. Joining two terms is an easy “content grab”, so it’s natural that this trend has exploded now.

Contrast is key

Many social media formulas rely on contrast to generate conceptual and visual interest. For example, viral TikTok and IG Reel sounds that guide the audience from a before to an after are hugely popular. Or those that juxtapose something good to something bad. Hence, joining two contrasting styles together makes up for interesting content.

The curator logic

The internet has made historical references accessible, which in turn has opened up the world of curation and taste to the masses. More than ever, being capable of curating an atmosphere has become a cherished skill. With this new appreciation for the creative director, the joining of two trends seems like an organic trend consequence.

Interior design content creator Marco Zamora via Style by Emily Henderson

Now, with the context explored, let's get into the interior design styles ready to tie the knot.

The interior design style pairings on the rise

Mid-Century Modern

Let’s back it up one second and discuss the two components in this pairing. First comes Modern design, often mistaken for contemporary design, which emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century, primarily influenced by the Bauhaus movement in Germany and the International Style that followed. It focuses on simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. The mantra of modern design could be summed up with "form follows function."

Mid-Century design, on the other hand, refers to the design and architecture of the mid-20th century, roughly from the 1940s to the 1960s. It’s a subset of modern design but has its own distinct flavour, heavily influenced by the post-World War II era. There’s a sense of optimism and a push towards innovation, with designers exploring new materials, bolder colours and new production techniques.

Mid-Century Modern design essentially takes the principles of modernism—clean lines, simplicity, and functionality—and infuses them with the warmth, organic shapes, and innovative spirit of the Mid-Century era. It’s where the rigidity of modernism softens into something more approachable and playful, yet it never strays far from its minimalist roots.

Bath by Brygida Michon via Architectural Digest

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English Bohemian

English interior design is rooted in a deep sense of tradition, comfort, and elegance. It’s a style that has evolved over centuries, drawing from Britain’s rich history and its diverse cultural influences. Its style is often contained and serious, blossoming through in the details of upholstery, woodwork or wallpaper.

In contrast, Bohemian styles are freer and more loose in their visuals. The boho style embraces freedom, creativity, and individuality, often reflecting the eclectic tastes of artists and travellers. Bohemian interiors are characterised by an eclectic mix of deep colours, funky patterns, and layered textures. There are no strict rules, so you’ll often find a vibrant mix of global influences—think Moroccan rugs, Indian textiles, and African baskets—all within the same space.

English Bohemian, or English Boho, is a design style that seamlessly blends the structured elegance of traditional English interiors with the vibrant, eclectic creativity of Bohemian decor. This hybrid approach creates spaces that are both cosy and sultry, combining classic English elements like Chesterfield sofas and antique furniture with colourful Bohemian textiles, patterns, and global influences. The style emphasises layered comfort, curated collections of vintage and handmade items, and a rich mix of textures and patterns, resulting in deeply personal, visually inviting interiors that tell a unique story.

Interiors by designers Pierce & Ward via Vogue Australia

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Rustic minimalism

Rustic design is all about embracing the beauty of the natural world, bringing the outdoors inside with a warm, cosy, and unrefined aesthetic. It emphasises natural materials like wood, stone, and leather, often showcasing the raw, unfinished beauty of these elements. Rustic interiors are characterised by earthy colour palettes, textured surfaces, and a sense of rugged comfort, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for simpler, rural living. The style is unpretentious, focusing on creating a welcoming and lived-in atmosphere.

Minimalism, on the other hand, is defined by its simplicity, clean lines, and focus on functionality. It strips away excess and clutter, leaving only the essentials. Minimalist spaces often feature neutral colour schemes, sleek furniture, and open, airy layouts. The style emphasises quality over quantity, with a strong focus on creating serene, uncluttered environments that promote peace and clarity. Every element in a minimalist space has a purpose, and there is a strong preference for hidden storage and simple, elegant forms.

Rustic Minimalism, also related to the Japanese philosophy of Wabi sabi, is a design style that harmonises the warmth and natural charm of rustic design with the clean lines and simplicity of minimalism. This hybrid approach creates spaces that are both cosy and serene, combining natural materials like reclaimed wood and stone with minimalist layouts and a restrained colour palette. Rustic Minimalist interiors focus on quality and functionality, often featuring a few carefully chosen, high-quality pieces that highlight the beauty of natural textures without overwhelming the space.

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Forest Estate by Hollie Bowden via Est Living

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The pairings we’ll see in the future

Now onto our crystal balls and trend predictions. These are the pairings we think will be a fixture in the near future.

Mediterranean Maximalism

Mediterranean design is inspired by the coastal regions of Southern Europe, particularly Spain, Italy, and Greece. It’s a style that emphasises warmth, natural beauty, and a relaxed, sun-soaked ambiance. Key elements include earthy colour palettes with rich blues, terracotta, and ochre tones, rustic textures, and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. Arched doorways, wrought iron details, and natural materials like stone, wood, and ceramic tiles are common, creating spaces that feel both elegant and inviting, with a strong connection to community and nature.

Maximalism is the opposite of the aforementioned minimalism; it’s all about embracing bold colours, patterns, and textures to create vibrant, eclectic spaces filled with personality. Maximalist design celebrates abundance and layering, often combining various styles, cultures, and periods in a single space. There’s a strong emphasis on personal expression, with rooms that tell a story through a rich mix of art, decor, and furnishings. Rather than adhering to strict rules, maximalism thrives on creativity, individuality, and a sense of curated chaos.

You can see how these styles could marry perfectly to make a new style pairing. This fusion creates spaces that are richly layered and visually dynamic, yet still grounded in the warmth and earthy tones of Mediterranean aesthetics. Mediterranean Maximalist interiors often feature a mix of vibrant colours—such as deep blues, burnt oranges, and rich reds—paired with intricate patterns, textured fabrics, and an abundance of decor.

We’re thinking of arched doorways adorned with colourful tiles, rooms filled with lush plants, walls covered in art and tapestries… The works. The style embraces the Mediterranean love for natural materials like stone and wood, but adds a maximalist twist with ornate details, bold patterns, and a mix of global influences. The result is a space that feels both luxurious and lived-in, full of life and character, offering a feast for the senses while maintaining a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Azar Fattahi’s home, co-founder of interior design firm LALA Reimagined, via Domino

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Parisian Bauhaus

Parisian design is known for its timeless, effortless elegance and chic sophistication. It blends classical architecture with a modern sensibility, creating interiors that feel both refined and lived-in. Key elements include high ceilings, ornate mouldings, and large windows, often set against a backdrop of neutral tones. The style is all about balancing the old with the new, and infusing spaces with a sense of personal history and artistic flair.

Bauhaus design, originating from the German art school of the same name in the early 20th century, is defined by its commitment to functionality, simplicity, and the integration of art and industrial design. The Bauhaus movement emphasised clean lines, geometric shapes, and a minimalist approach to form and function. Materials like steel, glass, and concrete are common, and there’s a strong focus on the idea that design should be accessible, affordable, and useful. Bauhaus design often features an understated colour palette, with occasional pops of primary colours, and is known for its influence on modern architecture and furniture design.

Parisian Bauhaus is a sophisticated design style that merges the classic elegance of Parisian interiors with the functional simplicity of Bauhaus design. This fusion creates spaces that are both stylish and practical, blending ornate Parisian architectural details like mouldings and herringbone floors with the clean lines, primary colours and geometric forms of Bauhaus furniture and decor. Obsessed.