STYLE YOUR HOME LIKE A INTERIOR STYLIST

This is our beginner-friendly guide to combining textures, tones, and prints and style your home like a Interior Stylist.

At Layer & Luxe, we believe a well-styled home isn’t just about beautiful furniture or a splash of colour—it’s about how all the elements come together in harmony. It’s the layering of textures, tones, and prints that gives a room its personality, warmth, and a sense of being truly lived in. Whether you're styling a brand-new space or refreshing your existing one, learning how to layer like a Interior Stylist is the secret to transforming your home from flat to fabulous.

Ready to give your home that layered look you love in magazines and on Pinterest? Let’s break it down.

Start with a Neutral Base

Before you dive into prints or bold colour, start with a neutral foundation. Think soft greys, warm whites, sandy tones or muted taupes. This acts as a blank canvas that allows your layers to shine without overwhelming the space. Your base might include your wall colour, large furniture items like sofas or beds, or key rugs and window treatments.

A neutral base also gives you flexibility, it’s much easier (and more cost-effective) to change accessories and accents over time than commit to a bold couch you might grow tired of.

Mix Textures to Add Depth

Texture is a Interior Stylist's best friend. It brings depth and dimension to a space, making it feel rich and inviting. Think beyond the visual, texture is all about how things feel too.

Here are a few ways to introduce texture:

• Linen, velvet, boucle and cotton in cushions and throws

• Rattan, wood, marble or ceramic for side tables, vases and trays

• Layered rugs—combine a jute or sisal rug with a patterned or plush option

• Wall finishes like tongue-and-groove panelling, wallpaper, or limewash paint

Combining hard and soft textures gives a space a balanced, tactile feel. Don’t be afraid to contrast—pair smooth with rough, matte with shine, or natural with polished.

Play with Tones in the Same Colour Family

When Interior Stylists talk about layering tones, they often mean working within the same colour palette but using different shades and intensities. For example, if you’re drawn to earthy terracotta, try combining rust, burnt orange, blush, and clay tones.

This creates a cohesive look without being one-note. It’s also incredibly soothing to the eye and gives the impression of a well-thought-out space.

Top tip: Swatch your colours together (paint, fabric samples, cushions) in natural daylight before committing.

Balance Prints and Patterns Like a Pro

Mixing prints doesn’t have to be intimidating. The key is to vary scale and stick to a unifying colour palette.

Here’s how to do it:

• Choose one hero print—this could be a large floral, geometric rug, or statement cushion

• Layer in secondary prints—these should be smaller in scale, like stripes, checks, or polka dots

• Finish with solids and textures to give the eye somewhere to rest

Stick to 2–3 patterns in a room and ensure they share at least one common colour. This helps everything feel connected rather than chaotic.

Layer Your Lighting

Interior Stylists know that good lighting can make or break a room. It’s not just about overheads—layered lighting includes a mix of ambient (general), task (functional), and accent (mood) lights.

Use a combination of:

• Floor lamps in reading corners

• Table lamps on consoles and bedside tables

• Wall sconces for gentle glow

• Pendant lights or statement chandeliers

• Candles and fairy lights for added warmth

Different light sources create atmosphere and highlight the layered elements of your room, especially in the evenings.

Add Personality Through Accessories

Once your foundational layers are in place, it’s time to bring in the finishing touches—books, ceramics, art, greenery, and collected treasures.

This is where your personality shines. Think stacked coffee table books, a cluster of handmade vases, or framed artwork that speaks to your style. Styling in odd numbers (groups of 3 or 5) and using trays to anchor items creates intentionality rather than clutter.

And don’t forget greenery—plants are one of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to bring life and texture into your home.

Trust the Process

Layering is a process, it’s not something that happens in one day. It often takes time to curate and refine, and that’s okay. The most beautiful interiors evolve naturally, reflecting your style, memories, and the way you live.

Try things, move pieces around, and see what works. Styling is intuitive. If something feels off, it probably is—keep playing until it feels right

Styling your home like a Interior Stylist isn’t about perfection, it’s about personality! It’s the art of making a space feel collected, considered, and uniquely yours. By combining textures, tones, and prints with confidence, you’ll create a home that feels both elevated and effortless.

At Layer & Luxe, we’re here to help bring your vision to life, whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing a single room. If you’re ready to layer your home with colour, character, and comfort, reach out to us, we’d love to help!

laura xx