We all gravitate toward certain decor schemes, whether it’s Mid-Century Modern, glam, traditional, or even “Joanna Gaines” farmhouse chic. However, what if you can’t pick just one look?
If you detest anything matchy-matchy and love to break a few rules when it comes to your decor, we’ve got good news. You already have a good start on the fun new trend known as the eclectic style. This decor option offers you a blank check to reject more traditional looks in favor of loosely arranging your assortment from different places and time periods.
Origins of Eclectic Style
The eclectic look is hardly new. Even though it’s in the spotlight these days, eclecticism actually came about in the early 1900s, with the Arts and Crafts movement. It became popular for progressives and thinkers to fit art and furnishings into their homes to achieve a more personal feeling, rather than one particular style.
Today’s homeowners are once again turning to eclectic style to show off a distinctive touch to their decor. Just beware: Eclectic decore might allow you to break some rules, but it isn’t a totally lawless design scheme.
Embrace Bold Colors
You have been told that a room’s colors should be cohesive but with an eclectic style, your shades can skew bold and bright. Don’t be shy about mixing yellow, pinks, emerald greens, reds and bright blue. To pull it all together, use a neutral base, like white or a quiet gray. If the look seems to quiet choose any signature accent hue for a pop of color.
Variety of Funiture Styles
There’s no single line of eclectic furniture. However, you can achieve the look by borrowing from a couple of styles or just use a mismatch of things you already own. You could try a contemporary sofa with a Victorian table, modern lamps, and a Hudson River Valley-style painting. Try using different kinds of chairs around the dining room table. They don’t have to match, but they should have at least one aspect that ties them together. Maybe they are all rounded at the top or they’re roughly the same size.
Accessorize with Flair
Here is your chance to make your marl with eclectic style on the cheap. Pile on the pillows, hang up a funky wall gallery, create a jungle of succulents, or stack art books to use as side tables. You could also hang collages that mix mirrors, art, and photos. Incorporate details from your travels or anything that speaks to you. Eclectic style is highly personal.
Showcase a Riot of Texture and Pattern
Not enough oomph from those accent pillows? Go wild with your look, by layering patterns. You might combine a geometric fabric with a textured solid, or a smooth, silky fabric with a patterned piece. However, don’t go too crazy with stripes upon stripes, plus polka dots and plaids. Keep one thing solid, like the wall color. Work toward balance when you approach eclectic style. Each room should have old and new, dark and light, small items and big, without becoming overwhelming.
Eclectic vs Ewww
Eclectic homeowners must edit ruthlessly, lest their rooms run amok. The challenge is to create a pleasant melting pot of elements, One way to know whether you’ve crossed the line with your decor scheme is by taking note of how friends and family react. Is there a look of horror when people enter your living room, or do you receive sincere compliments on your mix-and-match design? Another sign is your ability to maintain the look. If you’ve got to much stuff everywhere, you will spend hours stacking books and layering throw pillows. Instead, consider each new piece and decide whether it’ll enhance your look or ignite a hot mess. In the end, you want a room that’s carefully curated, not cluttered and chaotic.