Eclectic decorating
Are you looking to inject interest and personality into your living spaces? Here’s some dos and don’ts
Eclectic can be defined as something that is made up of a range of diverse styles that hail from an array of different sources. It’s also a design principle that many homeowners choose to adopt when decorating. If you’re not one for matchy-matchy interiors or you prefer to decorate outside-of-the-box, eclectic decor could be perfect for you.
Don’t: go overboard
Although eclectic decor is a great way to introduce interesting design features that range in pattern, colour and purpose, it’s also fairly easy to go overboard. There’s a very fine line between layering and distracting. You don’t want to turn your living space into a chaotic area with no balance or direction. As a result you must resist the urge to over-decorate. Instead, stick to design features that share small similarities, such as a colour scheme or similar lines. This will help to keep things looking cohesive and intended.
Do: adopt a neutral background colour
A neutral wall colour is essential for anyone looking to champion eclectic styling. It will serve as a unifying factor throughout your design and pull everything together. Because you’ll be merging details from various styles, a neutral background will allow you to easily chop and change your displays from season to season. Resene Bianca is a subtle, warm cream that works throughout the year. Whether you’re introducing plush, jeweltoned sofas, industrial-inspired lighting fixtures or rugs reminiscent of a Moroccan souk stall, your neutral wall colour will bring a sense of order to the room.
Don’t: forget about layout
Although you may not be able to tear yourself away from that midcentury drinks cabinet, do you really have enough room for it? Always consider the size of your room and the layout you wish to adopt before beginning your project. Everything must have its own place where it’s not getting in the way of another design feature. The last thing you want is for items to start crowding your space — especially if your living area isn’t the biggest to begin with. It’s easy to get caught up in colour, texture and pattern but you must first think of your layout before purchasing your eclectic items.
Do: rely on texture
Introducing a range of textures is one of the easiest ways to instantly inject interest and personality into a room. Thankfully, eclectic styling makes this incredibly simple. Have fun collating antiqued furnishings such as cabinets and dressers, dot different sized brass candlesticks around the room, and introduce plenty of plants showcased in patterned pots. Head to your nearest vintage store, antique warehouse or local op shop to see what gems you can find.
Incorporate texture on your walls. The Resene Wallpaper Collection has a wide range of textured wallpapers.
Of course, it’s always important to have fun with a project like this. Eclectic decorating has no boundaries to what you can create, so don’t be scared to sink your teeth into this interesting interior scheme and experiment. Move things around and change the combinations until you get just the look you are after.