Celebrate Individuality with Eclectic Interior Design Ideas
An eclectic interior is a mixture of styles based on a common idea. Translated from ancient Greek, it means "chosen, choice". This currently popular interior is based on a careful selection of furniture, and decoration, decor and giving meaning and order to the outwardly chaotic environment. As an interior design, eclecticism is suitable for those who are versatile, lovers of travel, and fond of unconventional solutions in the design of home space. It is not limited to only apartments but also you can find eclectic interiors in restaurants and pubs.
If you are looking for ideas on how to bring eclectic interior design into your home, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about eclectic design, its history and salient features, and tips and tricks to create a welcoming eclectic interior design in your home.
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History of Eclectic Interior Design
Eclecticism flourished between 1830 and 1890. Innovators were European architects who, in search of inspiration, began to mix details from various classical movements. They tried to come up with something new and fashionable on the basis of the familiar and known. The development especially occurred through active ties between the continents: from the subordinate colonies; Europeans brought exotic things to their homeland and decorated their houses and apartments with them. In North America, eclecticism also firmly took root. Today, fusion is considered its ideological follower.
Eclectic and fusion styles in interior design - what's the difference?
Chronologically, eclecticism declared itself earlier - in the 19th century - and preferred to combine thematically similar styles (Baroque and Classics, Art Nouveau and Empire). Fusion is perceived by many as a continuation of eclecticism in the 20-21st century, but this direction involves working with more contrasting themes: English classics, hi-tech, minimalism, ethnicity, and country music.
Eclectic design in a modern, broad sense and fusion are usually synonymous.
General characteristics of eclectic interior design
Today, eclectic design is one which cannot be attributed to any particular style. Does this mean that any chaotic set of objects and finishes can be considered fashionable? No. Eclecticism is one of the most difficult interior genres precisely because it needs a balance between clever combination and bad taste. Eclectic design can also be considered a fusion of different heritages and cultures. It can also be a mix of the old and the new.
What mixed furnishings aren't exactly is a collection of random things. The skill lies in choosing the right elements that complement each other and at the same time do not lose their individuality. You can combine traditional classics, baroque, ethnic, modern, and high-tech. The question is how to do it.
Eclecticism is also often overpowered by another theme of interior design which is basically a combination of that theme while following the basic characteristics and elements of eclectic style. The following characteristics can serve as a guideline to how to achieve an eclectic design in interiors.
A single-color scheme, texture, or architectural solution
If you mix more than these three styles, there is a risk of creating a mess. It can be from different eras and parts of the world. The overall look of the space will depend on which components for the “mixture” you choose: it can be a restrained and monochrome classic-modern mixture, a colorful kitsch look or a new interpretation of eco-design with oriental notes.
A fusion of old and new
Eclectic design is a beautiful fusion of modern and traditional design elements. In such an interior, you will see vintage pieces of furniture paired with minimalist decor items or a traditional rug paired with modern, minimalist furniture with simple, clean lines.
Use neutral themes
As seen in minimalistic and scandinavian interior designs, neutral themes help achieve free light space. It is easier to saturate such a base with bright objects and fill it with dynamics. In the traditional version, the classic is the base, which can be combined with baroque, gothic, rococo, colonial, and ethnic elements.
Light calm colors (white, beige, gray) as a background for colorful accents are a means to avoid color anarchy in the design.
In terms of the combinations themselves, you can safely break stereotypes.
Contrasts
You can, of course, mix similar themes, but the effect of contrasting combinations is much more interesting. For example, a frilly antique table and a modern chair with colorful upholstery will make an excellent pair. This contrast can also be in terms of colors that you use contrasting colors in elements of the interior and the contrast can also be in terms of textures. Adding varying textures that complement each other creates a different level of balance and harmony in the design. For example, you can place a modern glass table on a traditional, thick rug to create layers of textures to make the space appear elegant and beautiful.
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Mix and match various visual elements
Another recognizable feature is the abundance of objects and decor, often those that contrast each other. Such an environment is always filled with many textile accessories (pillows, curtains, napkins) as well as paintings, photographs, and mirrors on the walls.
Eye-catching pieces
One way that makes an eclectic design stand out is the addition of one or two standout pieces in the interior that are bound to catch everyone’s eye. Since they must appear to stand out, they are usually large pieces. However, their large size isn’t enough to be eye-catching. They should have some exquisite pattern, color combination, or some other fun, quirky appearance so as to make a statement. Accent furniture is one such example of these pieces where one or two sofa chairs may have a bold color and pattern while the rest of the room is designed in warm or cool neutral tones. Similarly, a large abstract painting on one wall of the room when fused with the rest of the neutral room will immediately catch the beholders’ attention.
Tips to create an eclectic interior design
Eclectic design, as discussed above, is a beautiful cohesion of mismatching styles, contrasting colors and textures, and disparate visual elements. The whole idea is to bring all these elements together so they do not look out of place; instead, balance each other in perfect harmony. The following tips will help you create stunning eclectic designs, without going overboard.
Color Spectrum
The first step in creating an eclectic interior is to choose the color palette which will become the basis for all the other elements to follow. A properly chosen color spectrum helps logically combine disparate environments. It is always a good idea to choose one neutral shade and pair it with one bold accent color. If you wish to add a few more colors, be sure to check if they all go well with each other. You do not want to add too many contrasting colors as they will just look like a visual mess and be too much for the eyes. Instead, stick to two or three hues to be on the safe side.
One piece of advice in this regard is to use calming neutral colors as the background and backdrop for other elements. The purpose of the background surface is to beautifully emphasize and uplift the foreground elements. Therefore, for the background, it is worth choosing neutral and unobtrusive shades. Then, on top of these neutral shades, you can build on bolder and brighter shades and layer them to add a wow factor to the interior. Again, be careful not to make the interior too overwhelming with colors.
The eclectic style of the interior is a successful experiment with different styles and colors. If it seems too ordinary, you can come up with something different: have pictures on the wall, and colorful curtains and carpet. You can decorate one wall with different contrasts, and textiles in shades of the same color will neatly assemble the interior composition together.
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Furniture Selection
Since eclectic interior design is all about fusing different types of elements together, it is a good idea to pair different types of furniture, their styles, colors, and patterns to create an exquisite appearance. You can add furniture from different eras and pair them with another furniture element from the current times. You can think of introducing vintage items when it comes to furniture selection, for example, restored chairs, dressing tables, and shop windows. A winning contrasting addition to them will be sofas and armchairs of modern silhouettes and colors. The idea is to use varying styles of furniture but ensure some kind of connection between them so they do not appear out of place.
Layering
Another important tip that can help you create amazing eclectic interiors is to add various layers of items, colors, textures, and patterns on top of one another. We are talking about textural diversity, which is simply necessary for the interior of a house in the eclectic style. The following steps will help you implement it:
● use embossed fabrics with a convex weave of threads, a combination of different materials (wood, metal, plastic);
● throw pillows of different sizes and colors on the sofa, and place a pair of wooden chairs next to it
● attach a soft ottoman to a glass table with metal legs;
● hang an ultra-modern poster next to the classic landscape;
● Choose an abstract design upholstery for a sofa with intricate wood carvings.
● Pair an ornate wooden table with modern glass side tables in the living room
Wall and ceiling decoration
The walls of a room lay a solid foundation on which you can create artistic designs and placements. The walls also serve as a backdrop for all other kinds of decor in the room. Therefore, it is important for the walls to be relatively simple for you to build on them through other decorative elements like paintings and wall hangings. A solid wall of neutral hues can act as the perfect backdrop for you to accessorize it with decorative elements.
Moreover, if you want to make an exciting and fun wall as it is, you can add patterned wallpapers or wood panels to create a design of your own. You can even mix and match the designs of every wall to add a pop and bohemian touch to an eclectic design. Keep one wall of light color to brighten up the space and some other walls in darker and bolder shades to add a warm and funky appearance. Bohemian patterned wallpaper can also help you achieve the same funky, eclectic look.
Similar design styles can be adopted for the ceiling. While keeping the ceiling simple and neutral is usually the way to go, adding a few dark-colored panels on the ceiling can also help enhance the appearance of an eclectic design.
Room scale
Eclectic house design involves a careful approach to dimensions. Even a small house can be made to appear spacious if you pay attention to the placement of elements. Similarly, placing everything neatly lined in one plane can give a very dull and boring appearance. Especially in an eclectic design, the depth of an interior plays a pivotal role to enhance the overall appearance of the room. To give the setting an interesting depth, you need to place large objects in the background, and smaller objects in the foreground. This way, all objects will be in sight with just the right amount of exposure without overpowering each other.
Don’t overcrowd the place
An eclectic design doesn’t necessarily have to be minimalist; in fact, this design calls for a variety of different elements, colors, and textures that complement each other to create a fun and happening interior. However, in such a design, there is a chance of the space being too crowded and looking messy. This should be avoided at all costs! The design should embrace different styles from various parts of the world and from different eras but the overall space should remain beautiful, functional, and upbeat.
How to bring eclectic interior in various rooms of the house
Bring Eclectic Design Into Your living room
The mood of the living room interior design is set by the form and textiles of the furniture. The sofa and armchairs are the center-forming elements, therefore, they should be the ones to stand out amongst all the objects. Leather or velvet could be used for the upholstery as they will not be very comfortable but add a natural or regal appearance. The remaining pieces of furniture can have bold colors and patterns but must be selected based on the principle of scale, which was discussed above.
In the living room, you can fuse a completely different design style with an eclectic theme to create an even more appealing interior. This is also a cost-effective solution for homeowners who wish to renovate their space without spending too much. In this kind of fusion, they can simply add a few eclectic elements to their current interior to create an attractive and unusual environment.
For example, a baroque-classic-eclectic style can be created by adding classical and timeless elements with hip eclectic elements. Similarly, add an artistic touch with a beautiful fusion of pop art and eclecticism. Bohemian-eclectic is another very trendy design style for a living room where you incorporate bohemian patterns and colors in elements such as upholstery, rugs, curtains, or wall art. Again, the idea is to not overdo these elements; only use those colors and patterns that complement each other.
Eclecticism in the design of the kitchen
When it comes to eclecticism, mostly people limit this style to the bedroom and living room while ignoring the kitchen. But an eclectic kitchen, if done right, can not only be functional but also lively and inviting. Just like the living room, you can also fuse other kitchen design styles with eclectic themes to create modern, classical, retro, and luxe eclectic kitchens.
Eclectic kitchens usually feature an open-concept kitchen with an island and bar stools around and hanging lights to create a fun spot. Eclectic style is characterised by a mix and match of colors, so choose contrasting colors for the wall and floor tiles. However, you can also keep them monochromatic and add other elements of contrast. Popular colors for eclectic kitchens include muted green, turquoise, dark blue, sky blue, and yellow. You can also use a black and white combination but add a splash of red or blue to uplift the appearance.
In an eclectic kitchen, you can keep your kitchen utensils and appliances on the countertops in an uncluttered manner. But ensure that there are enough negative spaces among the objects to steer away from creating a messy space. Keep an open concept plan to further add a wow effect to the interior.
Moreover, in an eclectic kitchen, you can safely combine furniture and fixtures from different time periods such as classic tiles with ethnic ornaments or elegant French Provence with a massive wooden dining table.
Modern eclectic bedroom interior
Going completely bold and bright in an eclectic design may be a good choice for the living room but a bedroom is usually associated with calm and serenity. Therefore, when designing an eclectic bedroom, the emphasis should be on creating a harmonious interior by fusing various style elements together. You can combine old and new furniture styles in the bedroom. For example, you can have a traditional four-poster bed with intricate wooden details and combine them with modern nightstands. You can also add a few wall hangings that are not too bright and which do not make the space appear messy. Opt for a warm neutral shade for the walls as they will help to create that ambience of calm and tranquillity that you desire from a bedroom.
The main idea of an eclectic bedroom is to combine different bedroom styles while at the same time not overloading the atmosphere with too much detail. A few examples of these different styles include:
- a metal bed as an element of hi-tech or minimalism, plus cosy warm ethnic items (pillows, bedspreads, capes) or catchy sun pop art accents;
- modern mirrored walls or ceiling plus a vintage bed with a velvet headboard;
– carpet with an abstract pattern, lacquered wardrobe plus traditional crystal lamps.
– a low-lying minimalist bed with a traditional wicker relaxing chair and a bohemian pattern ottoman
Read more: 5 Innovative Bedroom Wardrobe Design Ideas
Combined design options:
- a metal bed as an element of hi-tech or minimalism, plus cosy warm ethnic items (pillows, bedspreads, capes) or catchy sun pop art accents;
- modern mirrored walls or ceiling plus a vintage bed with a velvet headboard;
– carpet with an abstract pattern, lacquered wardrobe plus traditional crystal lamps.
Eclectic-Style Bathroom
Eclectic style bathroom — is that even a thing? Yes, it is! An eclectic bathroom can be made into a dazzling space so that it creates the perfect match with the rest of your eclectic home. Again, just like other rooms of the house, eclectic style can be fused with other toilet styles and ideas to create a blend of your favorite styles.
In an eclectic bathroom, you can combine contrasting colors and textures. For example, you can use black toilet fixtures with gold accents and blend them with matte wall tiles. You can also keep the overall theme of the bathroom white and gold to create a luxurious appearance. Then add bohemian tiles on one wall or in the shower area to create a bohemian-luxe-eclectic style. Bright and bold colored tiles for one wall of the bathroom while keeping the other elements simple and neutral will also fashion a beautiful eclectic bathroom.
Final Words
Eclecticism as an interior design style is experimentation with form, color, and mood, which means a certain risk, which ultimately turns into the creation of a unique living space.
The secret of its popularity lies in human psychology. No need to give up your favorite things just because they do not fit into some chosen style. You just need to find some balance and harmony among the elements and color schemes, and you can pull off an amazing eclectic design. By combining elements of several design trends, you can get a completely individual environment, customized to the preferences of a particular person.