The 10 Do's And Don'ts of Eclectic Style

Eclectic style: It's so easy to love, yet a bit trickier to achieve. To help guide your next design project, interior designer Rita Konig and mid-century modern furniture companyJoybird outline the do's and dont's. 

DO: CONSIDER LAYOUT

When planning out an eclectic style space, it's easy to get caught up in which colors, textures, and patterns will bring the look together. However, don't forget about placement. "I think layout is one of the most important things in a room, more than the color or the fabrics," says Konig. "The layout of the furniture is what will make it comfortable and feel like a room you want to be in." Before you start purchasing decor 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 through a wide variety of items, the curated look shouldn't lack focus. Joybird suggests creating a focal point (or accentuating an existing one) with an eye-catching element — say, an accent wall, fireplace, or bold decorative item. 

DO: CONSIDER UTILITY  

As you determine the decor you'll incorporate into your eclectic design, don't forget that the room is meant to be lived in. "Let utility inform your decorations," says Konig. "It is quite daunting to be faced with an empty room and have to consider the colors and fabrics you'll use to decorate it, but utility is a great decorator. Think of how you use a room to help pull it together." Consider baskets, bookshelves, drinks trays, and card tables. These elements lend a cozy, lived-in atmosphere to your room.

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," suggests Joybird. "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 COLOR

One color should serve as a unifying factor throughout your design. "Let color serve as the great equalizer, pulling together the overall look," suggests Joybird. Whether your go-to color is an olive green or off-white, consistently return to it while decorating for a cohesive look.

DON'T: COMPARE HUES

When you're picking your go-to color, don't be tempted to sample paints on the wall, making your decision from a lineup of colors. "The colors will do weird things to each other, and it will get very confusing," says Konig. "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. 

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," says Joybird. 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," says Joybird. "Put a cap on the number of contrasting styles in one room to avoid things feeling random." 

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," says Konig. "The things that feel like a big deal when you are first decorating a room [like an unexpectedly bright paint color] 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. "Home accents like rugs, paintings, objects d'art, and throw pillows are convenient ways to bring a considered mismatch into any room," says Joybird. 

Source: Elle Decor