The Ultimate Eclectic Interior Design Style Guide

The Ultimate Eclectic Interior Design Style Guide

In a world that often pushes us towards singular aesthetics, here's a liberating design philosophy that celebrates individuality—Eclectic Interior Design. This style is for anyone who believes their home should be a vibrant reflection of their unique journey, rather than a corporate showroom. Far from being a random jumble of mismatched items, true Eclectic design is a carefully curated blend of different styles, periods, textures, and patterns that come together to tell a story. This guide will help you navigate this design style, providing principles and practical tips, from incorporating trinkets to installing barn doors, so you can create your truly eclectic home. 

What is Eclectic Interior Design?

The biggest misconception about an Eclectic design style is that it’s simply throwing everything together. In reality, it’s a sophisticated art form that requires balance. Note that this style is different from Bohemian interiors, which have a more overtly lavish style.  It’s about:

  • Curated collection. Every piece has a purpose or a story. It’s not clutter; it’s a collection of cherished items and family heirlooms that have been intentionally brought together. It should act as something of a living autobiography. 
  • Harmony through contrast. Eclectic spaces thrive on mixing elements from different eras or styles. The "clash" is intentional and creates visual interest.
  • Balance & scale. While abundant, your Eclectic space avoids feeling cluttered by paying attention to the size and placement of objects, ensuring visual flow.
  • Cohesive color palette. A unifying neutral base (walls, large furniture) allows bolder colors and patterns in accessories and art to pop. 
  • Texture & pattern play. Layering diverse textures and mixing various patterns is central to creating depth and richness.

Key principles for mastering eclectic style

Ready to embrace your inner curator? Here are the guiding principles:

  1. Find a unifying element. This could be a consistent colour palette, a texture like natural wood, a theme, or even a feeling to connect all your disparate pieces.
  2. Mix, don't match (intentionally). Combine furniture from different eras, art from various cultures, and accessories with contrasting styles. Focus with purpose, ensuring each piece contributes to a narrative.
  3. Embrace contrast. Juxtapose old with new, rough with smooth, minimalist with ornate for visual excitement.
  4. Layering is everything. Build richness through layers of textiles, art, objects, and interesting installations like barn doors.
  5. Tell your story. Fill your home with personal souvenirs and items that have meaning to you. These personal touches are what make an Eclectic home truly unique and inviting.
  6. Don't fear open space: Even in an abundant space, allowing some breathing room prevents crowding and things from feeling overwhelmed. White walls can be a great backdrop for colorful collections.

Elements to incorporate in your eclectic home

  • Furniture should include a mixture of styles, periods and materials, with upholstered materials being a mainstay in modern eclectic interior design. Rich textures can work, but don’t overdo it on lavishness.
  • Art & decor should be curated into an expansive gallery, mixing framed prints, paintings, photographs, mirrors, and even sculptural objects. Incorporate global finds, antique treasures, and contemporary pieces following your heart throughout.
  • Textiles can be an area to go wild with pattern and texture. Layering rugs, stacking pillows, and draping throws are all classic approaches.
  • Lighting styles can be mixed and matched. Ceiling lights and table lamps can contrast, unified by color or materials, and fixtures can be sculptural elements.
  • Plants add life, texture, and a biophilic element that helps to bridge different styles.

Barn Doors in Eclectic Interior Design

A wood barn door might seem too specific, too "farmhouse," for the free-spirited world of Eclectic design. However, their inherent versatility and strong presence make them effective statement pieces that can anchor an eclectic space. 

Unexpected juxtaposition

Imagine a rustic wood barn door providing a warm, textured contrast to sleek, minimalist furniture, or a modern, industrial-style barn door, juxtaposed against a room filled with vintage finds and ornate textiles. This mix creates immediate visual interest and depth.

Material mix & match

A barn door can introduce a new material or texture into your eclectic mix. A solid wood barn door can bring natural warmth to a space dominated by metal and glass. Conversely, a metal-framed glass barn door can add an industrial edge to a softer, more overtly comfortable room.

Color & pattern play 

Treat your barn door as a large piece of art. Paint it in a vibrant, unexpected color that pops against your neutral walls but ties into an accent color in your textiles or art. Bold, graphic wallpaper can enhance door panels, and you can even hand-paint a unique design on them. A barn door with a multi-layered, distressed paint finish can tell a story, fitting perfectly into a space filled with aged pieces.

Functionality & flow

Barn doors are inherently space-saving, which is a practical benefit in any home, but especially in an eclectic one where every inch might be filled with treasures. They define zones without creating rigid barriers, allowing for the flexible flow that eclectic spaces often embrace.

Hardware as a bridge

The hardware on your barn door can be chosen to bridge different styles present in your room. For example, industrial black hardware can connect a more rustic door to the modern elements in your eclectic space. 

Curate your eclectic space

Eclectic interior design is about individuality. It's about breaking free from conventional rules, embracing harmonious contrasts, and curating a space that tells your personal story in a rich tapestry.

And within this vibrant, expressive aesthetic, barn doors can be more than a mere functional element. It's a powerful statement piece, a versatile canvas for bold colour or texture, and a practical solution that enhances the flow of your home. 

If you’re interested in learning more about barn doors and interior design styles, make sure to visit our blog today!

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