Baroque Furniture in Today's Home: How Much Style a Room Can Handle
Many people appreciate the elegance of baroque furniture but wonder whether an entire room in the historical style might appear too cluttered. The concern is justified: baroque means ornaments, carvings, curved forms and often gold. How many of these pieces can a modern living room or dining room accommodate without looking like a museum? And can baroque be combined with other styles? This article shows you how to find the right balance.
One or Two Statement Pieces as Focal Points
In most living spaces, it is sufficient to use one or two baroque mirrors pieces as central elements. This could be a seating arrangement consisting of a sofa and two armchairs, or a large dining table with matching chairs. It is important that these pieces have enough space around them: allow at least 80 to 100 cm distance to walls or other furniture so that the decorative details can be appreciated. A single baroque sofa in an otherwise simply furnished room appears elegant and confident without dominating.
Consider Room Size and Ceiling Height
Baroque furniture is often taller and more voluminous than modern pieces. In rooms under 20 square metres, you should limit yourself to one large piece of furniture, such as a cabinet or a chest of drawers. In rooms from 25 square metres upwards with a ceiling height of at least 2.60 metres, you can also combine several baroque pieces without the room appearing cramped. Low ceilings accommodate flatter chests of drawers and side tables better than tall display cabinets or throne chairs.
Coordinate Colours and Materials
Gold, silver, dark wood or white lacquered surfaces: baroque furniture offers many colour variants. If you place several pieces in the same room, they should harmonise in colour. Two to three colour tones are ideal, such as white and gold or dark mahogany with bronze fittings. Avoid mixing more than three different metal colours. The same applies to upholstery fabrics: velvet, brocade or jacquard may differ in pattern and colour but should appear similarly refined in texture.
Combination with Modern Elements
Baroque combines well with contemporary furniture if you focus on clear contrasts. A simple, modern coffee table made of glass or metal can stand in front of a baroque sofa. Likewise, purist shelving or a modern floor lamp fits beside an ornate Armchairs. Ensure that the modern pieces remain restrained in form and colour so they do not visually disturb the baroque pieces. A ratio of approximately 60 per cent baroque to 40 per cent modern works well in most rooms.
Less is More: Use Decoration Deliberately
Baroque furniture already brings considerable ornamentation. Additional decoration should be used sparingly. A large mirror with a gilded frame, a chandelier or a floor vase are often sufficient. Avoid filling every free surface with figurines, candlesticks or pictures. Two to three well-placed accessories per room are enough to emphasise the style without overloading it.
Different Rooms, Different Doses
In the bedroom, a baroque bed with headboard can be the only historical piece of furniture, complemented by modern bedside tables. In the dining room, a large table often accommodates six to eight matching chairs, whilst in the living room a combination of sofa, two armchairs and a chest of drawers is already sufficient. Hallway and bathroom usually tolerate only individual accents such as a console table or a mirror. Consider separately for each room which piece of furniture should set the tone.
Related items: Mirrors, Chairs, Display Cabinets. baroque mirrors. Complete range: Baroque Furniture.
Related categories: Mirrors, Chairs, Display Cabinets. The full range: Baroque Furniture.
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