If you plan on doing some interior decorating, it's important to make sure that you understand balance. Now, balance doesn't mean if your room is organized or if the pictures on your wall are crooked. Balance can refer to mixing different patterns, styles, and materials while having them cohesively work in one space. One major trend you may see in people's homes these days is the mixture of antiques with modern pieces. Mixing both items together can help you achieve the goals of mixing color, shape, and style. Here's how you can do just that.

Start With a Theme
It's always important when interior decorating to come up with a theme. How do you want your room to look? Which color do you think will look best in your living room? Do you want to go for a more modern look or shabby chic appearance? When you come up with a theme, it's time to figure out which items you want to place in your room. Your theme should determine the kind of pieces you want to incorporate. Since you are going to be mixing modern pieces with antiques, it's important to gather a few ideas and test all of them out. Get some inspiration from websites, magazines, and even Pinterest!

Potential Ideas for Mixing Your Pieces
If you haven't been able to find anything you like online, here are some potential options for you. First, you can pair an antique umbrella holder with a modern bench. Typically, people will sit on a bench to remove their boots after it has been raining outside. Having that umbrella holder there will definitely be of great use. The umbrella holder can even be used as a cane holder since, after the 1600s, canes started becoming fashionable for men to carry as part of their daily attire. You could also put an antique brass planter on a modern, wooden table. Since antiques are often bronze or tarnished -- in a good way -- they can easily offset a modern plain white table. Some bright plants and flowers would look beautiful in the planter.

If you're looking for something a little more on the larger scale of things, take an antique chair and cover it with a modern fabric. It's an easy way to refurbish an old piece that you simply cannot get rid of. You could always have a room that's solely dedicated to antiques, but add a little bit of balance by installing a modern light fixture, as well.

Mixing antiques and modern accessories is a really easy way to transform a room. It keeps the room updated, while adding a little bit of character and class. Hopefully these tips will have you mixing like a master in no time.