Skip to Main Content

Easy Ways to Master Eclectic Design

What is an eclectic style? It’s a lot of things, but most importantly, it’s fun. Eclectic design can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Design 5 Ltd. shares easy ways to master eclectic design in your home.

An eclectic home interior featuring a teal blue couch with brightly colored cushions near Honolulu, HI

Characteristics of Eclectic Style

You may think eclectic rooms are born by tossing in various mismatched items and calling it a day, but great eclectic design requires a much more thoughtful process. True eclectic style features these characteristics:

  • Creating extra visual interest by combining visual elements -texture, color, pattern- that wouldn’t usually share the same space.
  • Using pieces from different design schools and periods.
  • Carefully curated and frequently edited to ensure the look is cohesive, not chaotic.

Ways to Master Eclectic Design

  1. Don’t forget the importance of negative space. At some point, your eyes need a break from visual stimuli, so incorporating blank space or one area with a neutral color is the perfect way to do it.
  2. Maintaining a balance of scale is essential for furniture, wall coverings, and window treatments. Prints and patterns are hallmarks of eclectic design, but the contrast created by various sizes gives a room more depth and visual interest.
  3. Create an attention-grabbing focal point with a large statement piece of art or a gallery wall. If convenience is an aspect of decorating you admire, remember that windows are natural focal points in space. Use this to your advantage by layering dramatic drapery with a Roman shade in a funky print. Speaking of Roman shades, they are one of our favorite eclectic window treatments. The folds are full of personality; adding vibrant colors or intriguing patterns sweetens the look.
  4. Remember the importance of utility when choosing pieces. Pieces like baskets, trays, and end tables may be selected for their appearance, but they can offer much in the way of storage and display.
  5. You must fully commit to the aesthetic to have the desired impact. The eclectic style must be ongoing throughout your home. If you sprinkle eclecticism around like a garnish, your rooms will look disjointed and messy.
  6. Choose a color you love enough to feature in every area of your home. It can be any color, shade, or tint, but you must adorn a part of each room with an item in that color. Let’s say your lime green is your favorite hue. This doesn’t mean guests will need to wear their sunglasses inside. Lime green can be used with many more subdued colors, including charcoal gray, black, and pale pink.

Contact Us

Design 5 Ltd. has been your local resource for Hunter Douglas window treatments for over two decades, and we value the relationships we have built during this time. We carry a wide selection of drapery hardware and offer expert measurement and installation services. Call us today at (808) 955-8111 for a free estimate, or request a consultation online. Our showroom is in Honolulu, HI, and we proudly serve the entire Island of Oahu, Kahala, Waialae Iki, and Hawaii Kai areas.