Many people do not want to conform to a particular design style - they prefer to appreciate architecture, furniture, and decor from many different styles.
An eclectic design style (a mix of different styles) can look very cohesive and artistic or it can look very junky and juvenile.
Here are some interior designer tips for obtaining a cohesive eclectic home design.
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Purge the Junk, Keep the Quality
Make sure all of your eclectic pieces are quality and not hand me down junk.
If it is broken, fix it or get rid of it.
Refinish or reupholster any quality pieces of furniture to give them your eclectic design flair.
You can put modern fabric on a vintage chair or paint a traditional piece of furniture a bright bold color.
Bigger is Better
For all design styles, including an eclectic style, fewer bigger objects look better than many smaller objects that tends to look cluttery.
Bigger objects demand attention.
Nothing Too Ornate
Avoid items that are very ornate with many fussy carved details or intricate patterns.
Fussy and intricate items tend to make an eclectic design feel messy.
Stick with simple high quality items with some detailing, but nothing that looks like it belongs in a palace somewhere.
Don't Be Afraid of Color
A bold pop of color will give your eclectic room an artistic feel, especially if you use unique colors.
Use unique colors like turquoise, emerald green, magenta, and chartreuse instead of the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow.
You can paint a wall or a larger piece of furniture a bold color for wow factor.
Keep Collections Together
If you do have collections of similar smaller items, keep them together as a grouping either in a cabinet or on a small table.
A collection of items can feel like one larger item as long as it is contained.
Avoid more than one collection per room.
Neat and Tidy
Make sure your favorite eclectic things are kept neat and tidy.
If you have many favorite eclectic things, consider displaying them at different times so your home does not feel like a thrift store.
Cohesive Element
The items in your room should have at least one cohesive element that links them together.
You can use a multi colored rug #ad or colorful chandelier #ad where all the other eclectic items in the room have colors found in the rug or chandelier that makes them cohesive.
Use Vintage for a One of a Kind Design
Everyone has access to the discount store and decor store down the street.
If you want a one of a kind eclectic design, select vintage furniture, accessories, and/or lighting.
Most vintage items of lower quality have been discarded, so the majority of what is left is high quality. If the retro style appeals to you, then it is worth keeping.
Consider the shape of the item and whether it can be painted or reupholstered to make it more appealing to you.
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