Just be careful the curated look tones in and ties together, doesn’t lack focus or become a byword for ‘anything goes’. There’s a fine line between ‘layered’ or ‘collected’ and a dog’s breakfast. Put a cap on the number of contrasting styles in one area to avoid things feeling like a bazaar. You want your rooms to look cultured, not like a busy, technicolour nightmare. Here’s how to bring the rich, civilised look together and avoid the most common pitfalls.
DO: CONSIDER LAYOUT
When planning out an eclectic style space, it’s easy to get caught up in which colours, textures, and patterns will bring the look together. However, don’t forget about placement. A room’s layout is one of the most important things in a room, more than the colour. It is what will make it comfortable and feel like a room you want to be in.
Before you start purchasing pieces for the room, nail down where each piece of furniture will go. You may find you actually don’t have space for that quirky floor lamp or 19th-century chest.
DON’T: FORGET A FOCAL POINT
When you arrange your layout, remember: though eclectic style does involve combining styles and periods with a wide variety of items, the curated look shouldn’t lack focus. Create a focal point; or accentuate an eye-catching element — say, an accent wall, fireplace, or bold decorative item.
Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna
DO: CONSIDER UTILITY
As you determine the style you’ll incorporate into your eclectic design, don’t forget that the room is meant to be lived in. Let utility inform your decorations. It is quite confusing to be faced with an empty room and have to consider the colours and fabrics you’ll use to decorate it, but utility can be a great decorator. Think of how you use a room to help pull it together.Consider baskets, bookshelves, drinks trays, and side tables. These elements lend a cosy, lived-in atmosphere to any space. .
Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna
DON’T: BE INCONSISTENT
The nature of eclectic style is varied, but each room in your home should still complement the others. Carry eclecticism throughout your home to create flow. Your space will look disjointed if the style changes abruptly from one room to the next. If you decide your home is ready for an eclectic upgrade, make it a commitment that’s reflected in each room throughout the house.
DO: PICK ONE GO-TO COLOUR
One colour should serve as a unifying factor throughout your design harmonising the entire look. Whether your go-to color is an olive green or off-white or tobacco, consistently return to it, for a cohesive look.
DON’T: COMPARE HUES
When you’re picking your go-to colour, don’t be tempted to sample paints on the wall, making your decision from a lineup of colors. The colours will do weird things to each other, and it will get very confusing. Paint the colors you like onto boards, then look at them in isolation. Painted boards also come in handy for reference when you’re shopping for decor or fabrics.
Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna
DO: PRACTICE BALANCE
Make it a goal to find balance in scale and symmetry. Similar lines create design harmony, even if the pieces are different styles, textures, or from different periods. Don’t sacrifice organization for diversity.
DON’T: MISTAKE ECLECTIC FOR “ANYTHING GOES”
Styling eclectic rooms doesn’t mean tossing every rule. There’s a very fine line between layered and collected to busy and distracting. Put a cap on the number of contrasting styles in one room to avoid things feeling random.
Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna
DO: GIVE NEW STYLES A CHANCE
When you try a new eclectic style, and don’t like the outcome, don’t give in to the temptation to change it right away. Wait until the room is complete and live with it for a while. The things that feel like a big deal when you are first decorating a room fall into the background once the space becomes filled with furniture and other items.”
DON’T: BE RESERVED
Eclectic style is characterized by a multitude of fabrics, patterns, and art items. Accessories like rugs, paintings, objects d’art, and cushions are a great way to bring a tie it all together.
