The eclectic decorating style skillfully mixes styles and eras, for an original and timeless atmosphere. It is a decoration made up of interesting elements, one where you can let your personality express itself! Find out more in detail below about the same. Moreover, this article will also help you: 9 DIY Apartment Decorating Ideas for Your Studio Apartment, published by Floately, this article explains various aspects of decoration and how you can do it perfectly for your apartment, home or any other place.
First, let’s delve through the origins of eclectic style
Eclecticism consists of a mix of several currents and styles, always ready to add different elements to the mix. Still, eclecticism first appeared in Western Europe, between the 1860s and 1920s, and has a tendency to reconcile different styles of the past.
The term eclecticism is nowadays used in several fields, not only in interior design. It is found in particular in philosophy or architecture, where elements borrowed from different styles or eras are found in the same place.
How to achieve such a look?
As we’ve already mentioned, this style refers to a mix of design ideas, a fusion of details of various origins. It is a great current if you don’t want to limit yourself to just one look or one period of designer currents. Thus, a baroque chandelier will rub shoulders with an African mask or an Art Deco table without any issues, according to your personal inspiration.
On the other hand, eclecticism does not imply an amalgamation of furniture, which you can buy at homeydesignstore , or multicolored decoration elements. The challenge of a successful eclectic decoration is to create a harmonious décor despite all the differences in styles. Above all, you would want to prevent the room from taking on the air of a messy space.
To keep a certain consistency and not to go overboard, begin with establishing some guidelines. Then play with various shades and colors, with the lines of the furniture or with the different materials and textures.
For example, you can decide to place a more imposing or brightly colored central object, such as a work of art or a painting, in order to make it the center of interest, a focal point. The rest of the décor of the room can then be built around this key element, to just complement the look of the place, and not ruin it.
You can also bet on contrasts, mix the modern and the old, opt for complementary colors, combine bright colors with softer shades or mix materials such as wood, metal and plastic. Here, you would want combinations that complement each other well.
For more uniqueness in the décor, you can also group items and décor according to themes or colors, or limit the styles to every corner of the room.
The furniture
We would advise to avoid putting too much furniture in the same room, so as not to overload it. Instead of doing that, select a few particular elements that you’d 100% need there.
If you decide to mix the decorating styles, you can choose similar colors or lines, by adding one or two contrasting pieces of furniture that have the same shapes. So, if all your furniture has straight and clean lines, you can add two with rounded shapes or with frills to break the uniformity.
Try to also keep similar proportions through the furniture to harmonize the look. But once again, you can decide to break it all up with a more imposing piece.
Materials, lighting, décor and the ways to mix them
Eclectic interiors are the place to bring all the things you like to – an item can be from the 60s, designed in an unusual shape, with a finish in every possible color. Eclecticism is the one to welcome metallic, plastic or wooden items, helping them to coexist in peace, teaming up with woolen, linen, glass and many different materials.
Use objects from faraway – create an eclectic vibe
As mentioned above, the various accessories and decorative items you bought from your holiday adventures can also have their place in an eclectic décor. Especially if they come from different exotic destinations.
For example, we can definitely imagine a bedroom or office room decoration that combines textiles from North Africa, India or even native peoples of the Americas. To further emphasize the style of your space, why not opt for some small pieces of furniture from these same destinations?
Do you have a more spacious bedroom or a master bedroom? In this case, try to set up a relaxation area. It can be decorated with a small sofa or a chair from an exotic destination.
The colors
In an eclectic style decoration, all colors are allowed. They can also greatly vary from one setting to another. Still, it’s recommended to keep the vertical surfaces in a light shade, in variations of white or beige, to place the emphasis on the furniture and other objects. These pale walls help to give a more modern edge to the room.
Still, keep in mind to avoid mixing too many colors so as not to create a mismatched or chaotic style.
The accessories
Accessories are one of the essential elements of an eclectic décor. Once again, in order not to overload the rooms, it is preferable to limit yourself to a few favored pieces.
Comfort being an essential component of eclectic style rooms, you can also bet on adding some cushions, blankets and rugs. Accessories can also be a central element of a room, as in the case of a work of art or a very colorful object.
You can also decide on walls full of mismatched frames or objects from different countries (Africa, Asia and so on), which go very well with elements of modern decoration.
Accessories can also be unifying elements, focusing on similar colors and textures. That said, you can dare to mix fabrics and materials such as wool, linen, cotton and fur.
Currently, we’ve noticed the eclectic style is very fashionable. This trend corresponds to the taste of modern society, which readily opens up to various influences and traditions from all corners of the world.
Eclectic design has become a way to personalize your home when you don’t necessarily identify with just one style. Going for a mix of styles is a good thing to do in any room of the house. So dare and try to make your home as eclectic as you want it to be!