As the name suggests, eclectic style is all about celebrating variety. Eclectic-style decor can be as simple as playing around with different textures, patterns, or colours.
Eclectic interior design also encourages you to rethink the way you furnish a space. Tired of staring at minimalist seating and barely-there bookcases? Speak to any interior designer who favours eclectic decor and they’ll tell you that experimenting with different styles and proportions is key.
When executed well, eclectic home decor can turn an uninspired space into a room that really reflects who you are. It’s often the best approach for living rooms and bedrooms, but experienced interior designers can put it to use throughout an entire home.
If you’re someone who tends to overthink things, the concept of eclectic interior design can seem overwhelming. If you’re not ready to play around with multiple design styles and don’t have an eye for vintage furniture, turn to colour when creating an eclectic-style living room, bedroom, or dining space.
What is Eclectic Interior Design?
Eclectic design is a fairly broad term that generally means experimenting with a multitude of different styles. You can combine multiple contemporary design trends, play around with furniture from across the centuries, or use dramatically different materials to make your eclectic room ideas a reality.
Despite all these disparate elements and colour clashes, true eclectic interiors should create a sense of harmony. There’s no point celebrating your diverse tastes if it results in a space that’s not suitable for living in.
If you want to pull off eclectic interior design to perfection, you need to think creatively. Rather than selecting colours just because they clash, choose contrasting shades that make a statement when used together. Instead of reaching for a mishmash of textured upholstery, introduce a few different materials with curtains, floor coverings and throw pillows to add tactility and visual interest.
With eclectic interior design, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If something appeals to you, feel free to incorporate it into your home.
Tips for Leveraging Eclectic Design in Your Home
Need some inspiration for creating an eclectic living room you can be proud of? Wondering how to deploy this design trend in a busy household? We’ve got you covered.
Mix Interior Design Styles
This is one of the easiest ways to pull off the eclectic interior design trend. Do you like certain elements of Scandinavian design, but detest others? Are you a fan of biophilic design, but don’t want to overwhelm a space with too many organic materials? Rather than settle on one style you’re overly keen on, combine the best elements of both.
Do you like the idea of introducing jewel tones and metallics for a more refined interior, but still want to be able to play around with pastels? Think about using sophisticated shades like dusky pink and greige to anchor your space, then create a dramatic gallery wall with pastel swatches.
Eclectic interior design is less about breaking the rules, and more about bending them. If you’ve always dreamed of mounting an art deco mirror above your fireplace, don’t discount the idea just because your living space has a Victorian-era fire surround.
The best eclectic interiors can be adapted over time. If something doesn’t quite work, you can remove it or replace it. What’s more, eclectic interiors can be evolved as your tastes change.
Combine Different Patterns and Textures
For too long, we’ve been taught that consistency is key. When settling on a single type of parquetry for floors makes sense to create flow, you’re free to experiment with different patterns and texture elsewhere.
If you live in an open-plan space, it can be hard to make individual zones feel like fully-fledged spaces. If you’re turning to floor coverings to define these zones, you can also use assorted patterns and textures to celebrate the spirit of eclectic design.
Rather than stick to similar shades or tonal upholstery, experiment with clashes of colour and dramatically different patterns instead. You can also play around with pile depth. A low-pile runner might work well in spaces with high foot traffic, but a gorgeous deep-pile reg in a warm colour will work best in snug reading nooks.
Blend Traditional and Modern
When decorating a space, it’s tempting to start from scratch every time, introducing a new selection of accessories and decorative pieces. However, rather than replace those vintage elements, integrate them alongside newer pieces.
Pairing contemporary wall art with more ornate frames is an easy way to introduce some eclectic design principles into your home. Furnishing a living room? Rather than pick out a matching side and coffee table set, choose pieces from different eras. Many mid-century tables work incredibly well alongside modern-day minimalist designs.
Be Adventurous with Colour
The more daring you are with colour, the more unique your eclectic interior will be. Classic contrasts always work well in eclectic interiors. Do you usually reach for blue when painting walls? A sun-drenched yellow is a good choice for feature walls or recesses.
Thinking about taking a chance on red this time? Fiery reds and coral pinks work well with standard accents like white. However, they can also look sensational when paired with vivid greens and metallics.
Keep It Balanced
It’s worth remembering that eclectic design isn’t a green light to throw everything but the kitchen sink at a room. Yes, an eclectic interior should be a one-of-a-kind space, but it also needs to be balanced.
Using a wide range of textures, patterns, and colours is fine, but you don’t want to overwhelm the space. What’s more, experimenting with different proportions when furnishing a room is definitely advised, but you need to think about the practicality of your furniture choices.
Remember It Doesn’t Have to All Fit Together
If you’ve never dabbled with eclectic design before, knowing when a room is finished can be difficult. It’s hard to get out of the mindset that something isn’t quite gelling. It can take a while for the eye to get used to an eclectic space, so don’t trust those kneejerk gut reactions telling you to swap out a statement piece or dial things down with a neutral colour.
Choosing Paint Colours for an Eclectic Space
Although you’re free to use any colours you wish when decorating an eclectic interior, it’s worth reminding yourself that this approach to decorating is all about celebrating individual style and promoting positive vibes.
Therefore, your paint colour choices can do a lot for the character of your room. Are you looking to create a calming space? Blue’s the standard here. However, if pastel paint colours and icy tones aren't your thing, use more daring shades like charcoal blue. If you’re using tried-and-tested blue shades like navy, reach for luxurious accents and complementary colours when pulling your space together.
Is your room lacking passion? A fiery red or playful pink can be a good choice of wall colour. However, these high-energy colours might leave you feeling like your other design options are limited.
Whatever paint shades you choose, don’t forget about the basics of colour theory. It’s perfectly fine to use dramatic colour clashes when decorating an eclectic space, but introducing complementary hues and more subtle accents can also enhance an interior.