Eclecticism is defined as “A conceptual approach that doesn’t hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions…deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.”
An “eclectic” style has been around longer than the term used to describe it. As individuals move, marry, or cohabitate, a blending of shared history and the possessions we’ve collected throughout our lives inevitably takes place. Sometimes that mix is easily cohesive and other times…well, not so much. People will try to mix a variety of different colors, styles or prints together and label it ‘eclectic.’ However, that’s not eclectic; it’s a lack of true direction and vision in desperate need of guidance. If you are facing the dilemma of making a similar scenario work seamlessly, these tips are here to help.
Style Tip 1: Pick an Elemental Theme
Choose one element: a color, a pattern, a shape…something that repeats itself throughout the space that helps unify the other elements together. Don’t mistake eclectic for ‘anything goes.’ There’s a fine line between curated and chaos.
Make sure you have a balance between larger and smaller-scaled items. The individuality of pieces is lost when floating amidst a sea of similar-sized pieces.
Eclectic interior design is all about presenting your personality in a room. If you love rich color, don’t be afraid of surrounding yourself in that richness. Go for it!
Don’t give yourself too many boundaries; free yourself from the hard and tired rules associated with traditional interior design. Allow your imagination to run free and have fun with experimentation. An eclectic style is nothing to shy away from, but to be successful, it needs thoughtfulness and attention as would any other style genre. Use caution as it can be easy to let an eclectic design become a messy, cluttered, and busy room. Everything must have a place in the room and each piece should have a point. An eclectic interior design is all about experimentation and having fun. So have fun with the freedom this style choice allows.