The Ultimate Guide To Eclectic Decor

The dictionary definition of eclectic translates as being influenced and finding ideas from a broad church of sources. Yet eclectic decor is far more than a hodge-podge of styles. According to House Beautiful, the Greek word eklektikos can be loosely interpreted as "to choose the best." The term initially described how philosophers would cherry-pick the most impressive doctrines from various schools of thought to create a new and improved hybrid. According to Ashley Homestore, German art historian and archaeologist Johan Joachim Winckelmann first used the word "eclectic" when waxing lyrical about Annibale Carracci. The 17th-century artist was famous for developing his own unique and dynamic style by borrowing and incorporating a range of historic influences and styles.

The term was later hijacked by 19th-century architects, who, after taking a sprinkle of Gothic Revival, a splash of Neoclassicism, and a hint of Byzantine, wanted a new name for the buildings they were creating. During the 20th century, the philosophy of eclectic slowly worked its way into our interiors and we've never looked back. The curious beauty of interiors that are mixed and matched has won over legions of converts in modern times. Leading art historian Piers Swimberghe explained, "Treasures discovered at garage sales, secondhand stores, or thrift stores can be guiltlessly displayed next to a very expensive designer piece. Mixing is not only allowed: it is a must," according to Architectural Digest.

The longest journey begins with the smallest step and you should begin your journey into the uncharted jungle of eclectic decor by throwing caution to the wind and expecting the unexpected. According to Blue Dahlia Designs, one of the biggest enemies of eclectic decor is matching furniture. If you've always been the sort of person who prides themselves upon their floral-patterned, three-piece suite, then going eclectic may be a hard ask. However, if you love browsing stores for striking pieces of furniture that complement one another in unusual ways, then you were born to be eclectic.

Mixing and matching furniture for that eclectic feel is all about identifying the proportions, scales, and shapes that will work well together, and with the wider room. Matching furniture sets have little personality outside of a show home and can send the whole room into a state of stagnant slumber. Eclectic decor is capable of evoking a myriad of emotions and feelings within a space, so use it wisely, to clarify and not clutter. Deco-Man reports that by mixing various styles such as French Country, Asian and Scandinavian, you can breathe new life into your interiors. So while a Chesterfield sofa mixed with some patterned deck chairs may not be everyone's cup of tea, it might work for you, and it'll be a talking point when the in-laws come calling. As will wallpapering your ceiling. Remember that, in the land of eclectic decor, anything goes.

For a long time, people were afraid to play with the patterns in their homes for fear of being considered at best, gaudy, and at worst, unhinged. If your patterns clashed you were damned for all time as someone with no aesthetic sense whatsoever. Yet trends change and the steadfast determination to keep the patterns separated has been consigned to history. More and more interior decor enthusiasts have become acquainted with the joy of playing with their patterns. Yet as Real Homes points out, ensuring that patterns clash in sweet tune and not in frightful discord is a tricky trend to master. Yet it is an essential one if you're looking to give your home an eclectic makeover.

A common trick for those with an instinctive flair for DIY is to use wallpaper that shares the same design but comes in two different colorways. This technique creates a striking and eye-catching look that adds funk and flavor to any room. The same rule applies to the holy trinity of blinds, curtains, and wallpaper. Keep the design similar but the colorways distinct and you'll be turning heads instead of stomachs. For those not perhaps ready to make such a leap with their pattern clashing, a good place to begin is in the boudoir. A duvet set with bold and blousy florals can be complemented sweetly by a bright and breezy watercolor hanging above the bed, or by a patterned headboard that boasts a contrasting floral design.

When you jump aboard the eclectic boat and set sail for brave new worlds it's easy to get carried away in all areas of decor, particularly color! Whilst it might be tempting to go Jackson Pollock on your interiors and create a psychedelic masterpiece, such indulgence will only lead to a desolate and lonely land called overkill! A spokesperson for mid-century modern furniture company Joybird explained to Elle Decor, "Let color serve as the great equalizer, pulling together the overall look." In other words, pick a couple of strong base colors such as olive green or off-white, and use them as a unifying factor to pull all the other disparate elements of your design scheme together.

Once you've settled on one, two, or for the truly adventurous, three base colors you've fallen in love with, or at least have a mild crush on, you're good to go. The trick is to keep the walls simple, understated, and unified. When you get it right, it serves as a sound launching pad to let your creativity soar in every other area from the Marilyn Monroe print cushions to the faux leopard skin curtains. Don't forget that dark neutrals can give your room a dramatic and intriguing aspect, and lighter colors will create a more calming and airy atmosphere. According to MyMove, room color psychology effects our mood and energy levels. For example, the color orange energizes, and green has a restful quality.

Too many of us are guilty of storing our records, books, old clothes, and other assorted memorabilia in boxes in the attic, on the top of the wardrobe, or under the bed. The decluttering and minimalist purge which has haunted modern times like an accusing God has consigned many a personal collection to the dark and dusty corners of our home. This is not the eclectic way. It's our personal collections, whether they be records, comics, stamps, toy cars, silver spoons, fridge magnets, collectible china, vehicle number plates, cuckoo clocks, Star Wars figures, or beer bottles from around the world that have all conspired to make us the people we are. So if you've spent years amassing a collection, or have a hobby such as a fly fisherman or butterfly collector, then flaunt it!

A coffee table littered with obscurities, a dresser full of unusual ceramics, a shelf full of vintage books, and a vinyl rack full of gems give character to a room and add a little eclectic flavor to any room. If you want to really push the envelope, you could frame some old t-shirts, concert tickets, seashells, trophies, or winning betting slips, and strategically place them around the home like a treasure map leading to the wonder of you! Real Homes suggests that hanging plates on the wall, and making a statement with some vintage mirrors and canisters can also work wonders. The choice is yours!

Less is more, and as all good dramatists know, it's not so much what is revealed but that which is hinted at that packs the most powerful punch. Therefore, it's integral you allow for some empty or negative space in your eclectic design scheme. Eclectic decor by its very nature makes for some extremely busy interiors. With all that visual stimulation, your eyes can get kind of tired, so it's important to give your overtaxed senses a sanctuary where they can take stock and recover. Sometimes, the most creative and effective designs are created by the empty space that lies in between. Think of the negative space as the oxygen needed to give your eclectic home the room to breathe.

According to Homes & Gardens, negative space is the energy that can make an eclectic room feel peaceful and balanced as opposed to being clustered and claustrophobic. There's no prescribed measurement for negative space. It all depends on the proportions of your room and its contents. When you have too much negative space, the room will feel empty and devoid of personality, but too little can make it feel overbearing and taxing on one's energies. Losing solid kitchen cabinetry in favor of a kitchen island is one way to create negative space. Adopting low furniture in the living room is another.

Many people are anxious about dipping their toes in the waters of eclectic decor because the current is strong and they fear being ripped from land and washed up in some strange place devoid of all sense, reason, taste, and style. Yet, fear not. Eclectic decor is all about taming the beast, capturing lightning in a bottle, and organizing the chaos that howls and claws at the edge of all reason and interior design. According to The Spruce, a common misinterpretation about eclectic decor is that it's a sort of "throw paint at the wall and hope some of it sticks" style of decorating. It's not. It has a purpose, and a plan and is extremely well thought out. The haphazard nature of it is fully intentional. 

In her book, "How To Do Eclectic: A Guide To Organized Chaos," author Gill Varle warns that restraint is necessary if you're to prevent your home from resembling the local charity shop. She writes, "Some interiors seem to have just evolved with little or no effort and are magically enchanting and comforting spaces. But random is never random in design – even if it appears so. Eclecticism, maximalism, whimsy – all need boundaries." Yet these boundaries remain flexible and the goalposts can be shifted. Remember, the first and only rule of eclectic decor is, there are no rules!