Mixing Wood Tones: White And Brown In The Bedroom

Mixing wood tones in a bedroom can be a challenging task, but it's definitely achievable and can make the design stand out. The days of matching wood tones and furniture sets are long gone, and allowing various dark and light wood finishes to coexist can result in a layered and organic look.

When mixing white and brown wood in a bedroom, it's important to create a balance and harmony through the use of subtle contrasts and splashes of colour. For example, you can opt for a large wooden bed and a white dresser, using a rug or a central piece of art to create a contrast between the two. Alternatively, you can go for a white bed and a dark brown dresser, achieving a similar visual effect.

To create a minimalistic style, it's recommended to use white for the larger furniture pieces and brown for the slightly smaller ones. This will ensure that the brown doesn't overwhelm the space, especially if the bedroom is small.

Additionally, you can mix and match other colours with white and brown to create a modern and sleek look. Gold, deep blue, yellow, mint, and turquoise are some of the colours that go perfectly with this combination.

Contrast is key

The trick to combining these two colours with the other pieces of furniture in your bedroom is to create a subtle contrast. This can be achieved by using a large rug between the two pieces or a central piece of art behind the bed. Alternatively, you can opt for a white bed and a dark brown dresser, which will have a similar visual effect. It's all about balance and creating harmony through the use of slight splashes of colour.

If you want to create a minimalist style, go with white for the larger furniture pieces and brown for the slightly smaller ones.

When mixing brown and white wood in a bedroom, it's important to spread out the colours in different areas of the space. This might be done through details and finishes, as well as smaller pieces mixed with larger pieces. For example, you could place a big white vase on top of a wooden dresser to create contrast in that area. Then, you could add a wooden frame to a small painting next to your white bed.

There are plenty of ways to combine white and brown, and any other colours. For a modern, sleek look, mix in gold, deep blue, yellow, mint, or turquoise. For a bold statement, choose orange, as it matches perfectly with both colours.

Match undertones

When mixing wood tones in a room, it's important to create a coherent thread by paying attention to the undertones of the wood. Undertones are not always obvious at first glance, but they can be identified by comparing the wood to something different. For example, a violet-pink wall can enhance the pink undertone of a floor.

To mix wood tones like a pro, follow these steps:

Figure out which wood species you're dealing with

Although it's not vital, it's ideal to know which type of wood you're working with. This can be determined by consulting professionals at a local flooring or wood supply store. Knowing the species can help determine whether it has undertones. For example:

• Alder can have golden red tones (red can mean 'pink')
• Ash has a warm yellow-golden tone
• Cherry commonly has red/pink undertones
• Mahogany caters to red undertones
• Maple often has yellow or yellow-pink hues
• Poplar is usually yellow, with a hint of green
• Red oak has pink undertones
• Walnut often has red undertones, with a hint of violet
• White oak has the most neutral undertones, with a soft golden warmth that can become more golden over time

Figure out the main undertone of your wood

This can be tricky, as many people see their wood as pretty neutral or brown. To determine the undertone, compare it to something different. For example, a violet-pink oak floor flows well with a violet-red dresser, but a footboard might pop up a touch of orange in comparison.

Decide if you want to match or coordinate wood stains

If you want to match wood stains, choose pieces with the same depth and undertone, either from the same species of wood or different ones. If you want to coordinate without matching, make sure one wood surface is lighter or darker than the other.

Consider the degree of rusticness or modernity you want

Not all wood grains were meant to be together. For example, if you have rustic cabinets, you might need a wood floor with a less graphic pattern to tone it down. An exotic wood floor with a lot of visual interest can be overwhelmed by equally striking cabinets. In this case, take one of the colours from the floor and repeat it on the cabinets in a more muted wood and moderate grain pattern.

Common wood undertones

• Violet-toned woods: Purple-toned wood floors and cabinets are often mistaken for grey, but try putting a colour with a green undertone next to them and you'll see the violet pop up!
• Espresso or dark-stained woods: Espresso is one of the easiest stain colours to coordinate with, as the undertone tends to be the most neutral, often leaning towards purple.
• Yellow-toned woods: As an undertone or dominant hue, yellow can flex between yellow-orange, yellow-pink, and even yellow-green.
• Orange-toned woods: Wood finishes with a dominant orange undertone can be orange-yellow (with a hint of green) or orange-pink (with a hint of violet).
• Red-toned and pink woods: Woods with pink undertones or red tones are variations of each other, as pink is just a lighter version of red. The warmer the red-pink, the more likely it is to pick up some orange or yellow. Cooler pink tones will pick up more violet (and often grey).

Create continuity with finish

When mixing wood tones in a room, creating continuity with finish is an important aspect of achieving a cohesive and well-designed space. Here are some tips to help you create a harmonious bedroom with both white and brown wood finishes:

• Identify the Finish: Start by identifying the finish of your white and brown wood pieces. Are they glossy, matte, or have a rustic grain finish? Try to create a cohesive look by using similar finishes throughout the bedroom. For example, if your brown wood floor has a glossy finish, opt for white wood furniture with a glossy finish as well.
• Consistent Grain Pattern: While mixing wood tones, consider using pieces with similar grain patterns. For instance, if your brown wood furniture has a prominent grain pattern, try to find white wood pieces with a similar grain to create a sense of unity in the space.
• Balance and Repetition: Ensure that the white and brown wood tones are balanced and repeated throughout the bedroom. Avoid clustering all the white wood pieces in one area and the brown wood pieces in another. Instead, distribute them evenly to create a harmonious and cohesive design.
• Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to mix and match different shades of white and brown wood. Contrast can be your friend! Play with different shades of white and brown to add visual interest and depth to the space.
• Experiment with Accents: If you feel that the mix of white and brown wood tones is becoming overwhelming, try using accent colours to tie the different finishes together. This can be done through accessories such as throw pillows, lampshades, or drapery in complementary colours.
• Use a Rug: A rug can help to visually break up the space and minimise the contrast between the white and brown wood tones. Place a complementary rug under your bed or in the centre of the room to create a sense of cohesion.

Use a rug to break up the wood

Rugs are a great way to break up the wood in a bedroom with white and brown wood. They can help to create a soothing transition between the different-coloured furniture and the floor.

When mixing wood tones, it is important to create a sense of continuity and a design conversation. A rug can help to achieve this by visually breaking up repeated shades. If the furniture and wood floors are a similar colour, a complementary statement rug can be placed in between to ensure that the shades do not blend into each other.

In addition, if the furniture and wood floors are very different colours, a patterned statement rug can help to minimise the contrast between the two. This will ensure that the room looks cohesive and put-together.

When selecting a rug, it is important to consider its size in relation to the room's dimensions and the furniture in it. The rug should be large enough to fit underneath the furniture, extending beyond the edges to create a cohesive look.

For example, if you have a white bed frame and brown bedside tables, you could place a rug underneath the bed that ties in with the colour of the bedside tables. This will help to ground the space and create a sense of balance.

You could also try using a rug to tie in any accent colours in the room. For example, if you have white walls and brown furniture, you could add some throw pillows, a lampshade, and drapery in a neutral accent colour. Then, you could choose a rug that incorporates this accent colour to create a harmonious flow throughout the space.

Remember, there is no need to match all of the wood tones in the room. As long as you have at least two uses of each wood tone, they will blend together well. So, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun creating a space that reflects your unique style!

Repeat shades for a cohesive look

Repeating shades is a great way to create a cohesive look in a bedroom with white and brown wood. Here are some tips to achieve this:

• Choose a dominant wood tone: Pick a dominant wood tone as a starting point, which can be the wood floors or the largest piece of wood furniture in the room. This will help guide your choice of other pieces to bring into the space.
• Contrast light and dark wood tones: Mix light and dark wood tones to create a layered and lived-in look. For an easy formula, choose a light, medium, and dark tone.
• Match undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of your dominant wood tone and choose other pieces with similar undertones. If your dominant wood tone is warm, stick with warm woods, and if it's cool, go for other pieces with cool undertones.
• Repeat shades: Repeat each shade a minimum of two times to create a cohesive look. This can be done through small pieces such as bowls, frames, or even a gallery wall.
• Use rugs to break up wood elements: A complementary rug can help visually break up repeated shades and minimise the contrast between different wood tones.
• Create a harmonious balance: Balance different wood finishes throughout the space to prevent the room from looking lopsided.

Frequently asked questions