Eclectic Interior Design

Learn how to use eclectic style to express your unique personality through your own home...

Eclectic interior design is the ultimate ‘mish-mash’ of interior design styles...

...it is also absolutely your best opportunity to make your very own, completely personal, unique personality stamp on your home...

And to help you understand how to get the look for yourself...

What IS eclectic design?

• Eclectic decorating is a blend of different styles and interior design periods - ‘easy’ you might think…!
• But the aim is to end up with a perfectly proportioned and blended, harmonious design and not just a jumble sale or junk yard feel…
• So, you do have to think about your design, and all the elements which you choose to bring into your eclectic scheme.

  The potential for disaster is all too obvious – but it really isn’t as difficult as it might seem!







The animal print on these unusual chairs contrasts really well against the formal and traditional style of furniture for a perfect eclectic interior design look
• For an eclectic interior design scheme to work well, it should include lots of different things...

  By that I mean: include furniture, furnishings and accessories from different styles, countries, cultures and time periods.

  Include different and contrasting colors, textures, shapes and sizes.

• For some people eclectic interior design means 'quirky' - something unusual, unexpected or 'out-of-the-box'...

  Choosing something truly unusual and unexpected to feature in your interior design scheme is a great way to get an eclectic feel for your own scheme...
  
  

  

  
  
  The quirky red chair in the photo above is oversized and in a striking shape and color...

  This means it is perfect to give that 'quirky' or 'eclectic' feel in any room.

  Here it has been used in a modern room - it could also fit in well in the right traditionally styled room, too






• You should definitely make sure you have at least one, very striking, statement item or focal point...

  ...so that the eye has a fixed point to focus on initially...

  ...before having time to relax and look at all your other treasures.

  This is the strategy that helps you to avoid that 'jumble-sale' or 'cluttered' look that we are definitely trying to avoid.

• This is an ideal look for anyone who travels widely, collecting souvenirs as they go...

  ...or who loves to scour antique stalls and flea markets, or enjoys displaying collections.










• I would definitely recommend choosing only items you really love...

  ...so if you are new to eclectic interior design, it may take you a little time to search out and acquire your own treasures.

• Choosing items you love means that you are using your own innate sense of style and taste...

  This way, you are much more likely to end up with items chosen along similar lines, which will all end up looking good together.

• Also consider checking these following guidelines, to make sure your eclectic interior design scheme ends up beautiful and harmonious...

Guidelines to help you Get the Look

• All your choices should have a similar theme somewhere in their make-up –
  • Choose items with a similar color, or color group (or even choose a contrasting color scheme, for example red and green).

    For more details on how to choose decorating color schemes that work, click here.

    The eclectic interior design scheme in the photo below, with a slightly quirky feel, works well because of the red color theme running through, and the rustic, home-spun style throughout...

    The large, unusual red wardrobe makes a great focal point.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  • Or you could choose items with a similar shape, all simple squares and rectangles, all sweeping curves, or all delicate twists and turns.
  • Keep a similar sense of scale and proportion in your eclectic interior design choices for furniture and accessories – all small or all large.

    You might want to choose one or two items that are large, amongst lots of smaller ones, to give added contrast and eclectic style – but be very careful not to overdo the numbers of contrasting pieces.

  • To mix patterns successfully look at these interior design tricks for using patterns.
  • Also check out this advice and more interior design tricks to help you use and understand texture in your design.
• It is a good idea to use a neutral color as a simple background for your eclectic interior design scheme...

  ...but equally you might want to make a strong color the basis of your scheme.

  Just go with what feels right for you!










• The fireplace above is an ideal and unusual focal point for your living room.

  It's quite small and understated, but it's very unusual and adds a sense of texture and depth to the room.

  It's quirky feel is added to by the wall-art decor above - which adds another layer of personality and some color - great job!










• When choosing pieces, try to pick from different styles, countries, antiques and very contemporary pieces.

  You can choose a whole mixture (keeping the guidelines above in mind!) or choose from only a few styles that you really like.

• Choosing an eclectic interior design scheme will bring many possibilities into your decorating...

  You can choose and develop your own unusual style statement, that really reflects your personality.










• This is an informal and relaxed style based on things you love!

  So you are sure to end up with a style you are comfortable with, and one that you and your friends and family can enjoy, admire and relax with…

• This is a style that can evolve and be constantly updated, as your tastes change and you discover new places, styles and new treasures...

  These can easily be incorporated into your existing scheme, without the expense and upheaval of a major overhaul!

Take a look at eBay now (below), to see if you can find something unique and unusual to include in your eclectic scheme.

As well as eBay also check out flea markets, charity shops, jumble sales as well as looking out for new pieces as you visit new places.

Below is a live feed from eBay. It is constantly updated. Just click on any product for further information or to bid or buy…

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If any of these recommended eBay auction products interest you, please support my website by using the links on this page to buy. The price to you is always the same, but I will earn a small commission.

This allows me to continue to provide you with the information on this website, all for free.

Thanks for your continued support :)

Where to Go Next

If you are ready to start your eclectic interior design scheme, click here for a checklist of interior design tips, to help you achieve a really professional finish.

If you like this look, you might also like this vibrant and eclectic decorating style

Find out how reader, Pralay, mixed ideas for minimalist and Indian styles

Browse for more interior design themes and inspirations.



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