Can’t decide between rustic farmhouse ormid-century modern decor? Or perhaps you want a bit of aboho home decor stylewith elements ofmaximalist decorthrown in too? Well, you might have found your match in eclectic decor style. With its focus on carefully curated interiors that express your individual tastes, if you want the best ofallworlds and don’t want your home looking too matchy, then read on.
What is eclectic decor style?
Whilst maximalism is all about more is more, eclectic decor focusses on a sparing yet deliberate use of statement color, texture and unique finds. In other words - don’t overcrowd. Eclectic decor is characterised by careful curation and unpredictability. Blending old and new, incorporating pieces from different periods and styles, an eclectic home will always be entirely unique. Feel free to mix things up and tell your story through vibrant gallery walls and collections of trinkets from global travels—giving your furnishings space to breathe and room to shine.
The history of eclectic decor style
Stemming from the Greek wordeklektikos, meaning 'selective' or 'to choose the best', the term was initially used in philosophy to describe the process of picking the best of a range of arguments to form your own. The idea transitioned into architecture from the 19th century with the Victorian-era obsession with global fashions. Rather than sticking to neo-classical or Gothic revival, many architects of this era selected elements from a variety of styles to create a brand new look. From philosophy to architecture, it's no surprise that this process of selecting the best elements of something and repackaging them to create your own trickled down into the interior design world.
Characteristics of eclectic decor style
Eclectic decor characteristic: playful color palette
Whether on your walls or through your furniture choices, eclectic decor is all about a playful color palette. Pick onepaintcolor to anchor the room, and then add a touch of vibrancy with accent colors. For example, you could pair bold furnishings withneutral colorsor use a statementwallpaperwith colors that you love to inform your palette, likeElectric Poppies 02. Take a look at our guide onhow to make a mood boardand get inspired by these6 color bedroom and living room ideas.
