Self-assembled nanocomposite films and coatings have huge potential for many functional and structural applications. However, control and manipulation of the nanostructures is still at very early stage. Here, guidelines are established for manipulating the types of composite structures that can be achieved. In order to do this, a well studied (YBa2Cu3O7-delta)(1-x):(BaZrO3)(x) 'model' system is used. A switch from BaZrO3 nanorods in YBa2Cu3O7-delta matrix to planar, horizontal layered plates is found with increasing x, with a transitional cross-ply structure forming between these states at x = 0.4. The switch is related to a release in strain energy which builds up in the YBa2Cu3O7-delta with increasing x. At x = 0.5, an unusually low strain state is observed in the planar composite structure, which is postulated to arise from a pseudo-spinodal mechanism.