Do you have trouble narrowing down your design focus because you love a wide range of styles? You’re probably an eclectic interior fan. While you may have been made to believe that your eye for fashion is too crazy, we’re here to tell you that it isn’t! With balance and intention, this look can really work.
However, finding this yin-yang-like consonance isn’t for the faint of heart. If you lean too far to one side, your space can feel messy and disorganized. To avoid this, all you need to do is follow a few simple design rules, and voila: you have a home that screams fun while still being functional.
Want to get the look? Continue reading to learn how.
Bringing the Design Pieces Together
Having an eclectic space requires balance. You don’t want your home to seem too busy or messy, but you also don’t want to get rid of items that you truly love. Use these tips and best practices to strike perfect harmony in your home:
Balance Eras, Movements and Cultural Influences
Take eclectic pieces from a bunch of historical periods that you love, whether it be Art Deco, Gothic or 1990s minimalism, and find ways to put them together in surprising ways. For example, mix mid-century furniture with bohemian rugs or pair industrial lighting with classic Victorian-inspired details. The key is to ensure one element doesn’t overpower the others.
Interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins expertly weaves pieces from different eras together in his bold and eclectic designs. Your can see this concept in practice in his book, Design Remix.
Layer Textures, Patterns and Materials Intentionally
A great room is one with cozy touches, like knitted blankets and patterned area rugs. The trick to nailing this is to use multiple types of materials and patterns. Rather than having just linen elements or only using rattan (even if those are beautiful textiles), create dimension and visual interest by opting for a handful of different textures that are both cohesive and stylish.
Incorporate Statement Pieces and Personal Touches
Your room shouldn’t have multiple focal points. Instead, anchor your room with a standout piece, like a bold art print or a vintage cabinet. This builds a solid foundation for other diverse elements to stand on. Then, sprinkle in personal items like travel souvenirs or family heirlooms for a heartfelt finish. By having one place that your eyes are drawn to first, you avoid the claustrophobic feeling of having several pieces fighting for attention. Instead, each piece has its moment to shine by keeping your eyes moving around the room in an orderly fashion.
In this North Plains family room, the wool rug adds soft texture to the space and sets the color palette, while the misty green paint coordinates and provides a sense of calm. The large wagon wheel chandelier draws attention to the focal fireplace wall where treasured items collected over a life-time are combined with a few new pieces. A leather coffee table provides function and visual interest. A family heirloom piano is balanced by a mission game table and leather leather seated chairs.
Maintain Cohesion With Color
Another way to make an eclectic interior design work is to stick to a consistent color palette to tie everything together. Now, this doesn’t mean you can only use one or two colors. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! If you already have a scheme that you’ve picked out, keep that in mind as you rearrange and decorate your living space. An item doesn’t match within that scheme, doesn’t make the cut.
If you don’t have a color palette selected, start by looking around your room. What colors appear more often than others? That will be your main hue. Then, pick two or three complementary colors for that shade.
Avoid Clutter in your eclectic interior design
An eclectic interior design style can get messy very quickly if the space is cluttered with too much stuff. To avoid this, always think about functionality as well as style. If something isn’t serving you or the room’s overall finish, don’t include it. Additionally, group similar items to create visual order and avoid overcrowding your home. This can help create negative space, which gives your eyes a rest in a busier room. Break everything up with a few neutral colors or blank spaces to ensure the house doesn’t look overwhelming.
This Asian inspired office showcases a stunning mural and is balanced by walls in a soft gray color. A beautiful desk lamp with smoky teal blue art glass, as well as a sumptuous blue velvet desk chair draw out the blue in the mural. A white desk with gold accents provides function without distracting from the mural. The room is kept clutter free by tucking a bookcase, filing cabinets and office equipment in a closet.
How CJ Dean Designs Can Help
No one knows your space like you do. Similarly, no one knows home decor like an interior designer. That’s why it pays to partner with CJ Dean Designs we know how to make any space look stunning without costing you more than your budget or taking longer than your timeline. Together, we will create an eclectic interior design! Best of all, you get exactly what you want without the stress of doing it all by yourself.
Ready to bring your eclectic vision to life? CJ Dean Designs specializes in turning your design dreams into reality. My team and I work closely with you to create spaces that reflect your style and meet your functional needs. Whether it’s figuring out how to incorporate eclectic home decor with modern furniture or fully redecorating your rooms with vintage pieces and bold patterns, we’re up for the task.
CJ Dean Designs is a professional Full-Service Interior Design company based in Beaverton/Hillsboro, Oregon. We work through the west Portland, Oregon metro area, creating unique spaces that people love to. Contact owner Christine Jarski today at (503) 858-8603 or [email protected]
