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Eclectic interior design is the perfect design style for anyone that loves a bit of everything!
Apart from eclectic, my favourite interior design styles are Mid-Century Modern, Modern Victorian, Maximalism, Farmhouse and Industrial… so luckily, eclectic design lets me do it all!
That said, there’s still a bit of an art to pulling it all off.
Here are my top 10 tips for nailing an eclectic interior design aesthetic.
1. Mix design styles
The word eclectic literally means “deriving ideas, style or taste from a diverse range of sources.”
So if eclectic is the aim of the game, don’t go too hard on any one style.
If you appreciate a few different design styles, pulling off eclectic is easy!
You can totally mix your minimalist sofa with a boho coffee table and Victorian chair. That’s kind of the point!
2. Relax with the design “rules”
Some rules are made to be broken.
In eclectic interior design, the rules are a little more loosey goosey.
You might have heard of the negative space rule; a rule that gallery walls (like our oversized one) completely ignore.
Or the rule that small rooms should be painted light.
Or that ceilings need to be white.
Don’t get too hung up on design rules. Your space will feel more personalised and welcoming if you take things a little left of centre.
3. Have a common thread
I know I just told you to ignore design rules, but you still want to have some sort of consistency.
Repitition brings everything together and makes a space more cohesive.
You could repeat a particular colour, like white or brown.
You could repeat a particular material, like teak or brass.
Whatever it is, just sprinkle a bit of it around the place to add some continuity.
4. Embrace colour & pattern
I’ve never seen an eclectic all-white space… have you?
I love neutrals and I use them a lot. But us millennials have become addicted to decorating with very strict neutral colour palettes.
It can be done well; but this blog is about eclectic interior design. And if that’s your goal you need some colour and pattern.
Don’t be scared. In terms of colour, try to stick to either warm or cool tones – and don’t forget to mix in some black and white.
With pattern, mix it up by incorporating different types, like geometric paired with floral.
Also consider scale. Combine smaller scale patterns with larger scale patterns to keep things interesting.
5. Don’t go matchy matchy
You know those bedroom packages that try to sell you a matching frame, bedsides and tallboy? Don’t do it!
The very essence of eclectic interior design is mixing and matching, so don’t think your coffee table needs to be in the same family as your entertainment unit.
Eclectic design is all about making unexpected combinations work together by creating harmony elsewhere.
Don’t be scared to mix traditional and modern furniture. Again – that’s kind of the point.
6. Upcycle furniture
You’ll never have something someone else has if you get creative and put a little elbow grease in.
Big brand stores tend to stock safe options. Eclectic design isn’t about playing it safe (although you can with some pieces). If you want something a little out of the ordinary, why not do it yourself?
This 👆 chest of drawers was a minimalist pine lowboy before. We replaced the straight feet with something more chunky, added paintable wallpaper and frames to the drawer fronts for some texture, painted it all black and replaced the simple knobs with vintage-inspired hardware.
You won’t find this in a store and it ticks the eclectic box by merging modern and traditional elements.
7. Shop secondhand
Every eclectic design enthusiast I know (including me) is addicted to secondhand shopping.
We doom scroll Marketplace in our downtime.
We pop into the op shop on our way home from work.
We peruse garage sales and antique stores.
There is treasure to be found; you just need to be willing to look for it. You won’t find treasure every single time, but if you go often you definitely will!
8. Mix old and new
A hallmark of eclectic interior design is mixing new furniture and decor with vintage or antique items.
Vintage decor adds charm, character and a lived-in feeling to your spaces. Too much will have you leaning more traditional, so be sure to mix it up modern pieces.
By considering other interior design elements, like colour, texture and pattern, you can unify everything so it feels harmonious.
9. Mix shapes
When everything is square and linear shape, it tends to feel both masculine and modern.
Round and curved shapes feel more feminine and traditional.
Eclectic interior design often embraces both.
Take a look at your space and notice the shapes. If everything is looking very rectangular, add something round to offset it, and vice versa.
Mix your shapes by pairing a traditional-style rolled arm sofa with an angular mid-century modern style armchair.
Noticing the shapes of your furniture and decor will help you design a space that feels balanced.
10. Buy the weird shit
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Every space needs at least one weird thing in it.
Eclectic design is not about being reserved. If you like something but you think it’s a little weird, consider it a conversation starter.
Having a piece that creates a talking point and makes people go “what is that?” will give your home that edge.
👉 Follow @mismatchedhome on Insta for more from our home.
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