Eclectic decor allows you to select the best of all worlds by choosing your favorite elements from the decorating styles that best express your preferences. The key to pulling off this style with fun and taste is to be selective in what you choose. An eclectic living room expresses your personality with a relaxed and casual atmosphere that is well thought out. The room should not look cluttered and chaotic.
While eclectic decor does not have a set rule book to follow, there are some characteristics that do define the style:
- Color sense — An eclectic room should be anchored with one neutral color on the walls. From there, add in bold, vibrant hues and tones. Don’t be afraid to choose contrasting colors. Complete the room with colorful accent pieces like rugs, pillows and window treatments. Larger living room pieces like upholstered sofas, chairs and divans can also make a statement with eye-catching colors and touchable textures.
- Mixed patterns — When blending patterns, do not try for a perfect match. Instead, look for common elements like color or texture to complement the patterns.
- Global influence — If you are someone who likes to travel and has collected interesting objects along the way, select the ones that “spark the most joy” to add personality to your room. Place them on a mantel, a coffee table, an end table or a bookcase shelf. These pieces hold meaning and memories for you and should be shared with family and guests.
- Old and new — Elements from both vintage and modern time periods can be brought together to create an interesting eclectic space, e.g., a modern boucle sofa sitting on a vintage Persian rug. If you are a collector of wall mirrors from different periods or styles, you may want to group them together to create a gallery wall. You can do the same with framed photos, artwork or record covers.
- Keep it green — In keeping with the popular trend of bringing the outdoors inside, an eclectic living room embraces this with lots of greenery in the space. In addition to being visually pleasing, plants provide the added benefit of absorbing toxins and purifying the air. A dragon tree is a perfect potted plant for almost any setting. Succulents and cacti are another popular choice. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and require little maintenance to be happy and healthy. A tree philodendron is a large, striking plant that will fill your space with vivid green leaves.
- Expect the unexpected — Eclectic homes sometimes have unexpected touches. A vintage steamer trunk as a coffee table, a salvaged carousel horse, a barber chair, a vintage school desk or a repurposed church pew are some unexpected statement pieces that are certainly interesting conversation starters.
For the person who doesn’t like to follow the crowd, eclectic style may be just the right decor to make you feel right at home. Contact us for more ideas to inspire your eclectic sense of style.
Claudine Steinfurth
REALTOR®
(216) 409-4039
csteinfurt@aol.com
RE/MAX Above & Beyond
7570 Chippewa Road
Brecksville, OH 44141
