Eclectic styles are among the hardest to nail, even though it might not seem like it. When you take a look at the work of the masters, the secret is that this interior style looks effortless and nonchalant, yet behind it lie hours and hours of thorough thinking, contrasting and blending. The key to eclecticism lies in creating a natural balance between elements that you usually don’t find together. But how to make irreconcilable styles seem naturally balanced? There are some tips and tricks designers have worked out in their many years of experience, and here are some of them for you to try.
Stick to the 80/20 style ratio
When it comes to eclectic styles, a good way to start is by learning about how to add a new style to the old one and when to stop mixing. You might think that giving both styles the same amount of attention is the best way to go, but this is one of the most common mistakes even designers make. The goal is to create a balance where one style is dominant, while the other one breaks the monotony and adds just a bit of pizzazz. For instance, if your home is already filled with a lot of traditional-style pieces of furniture, it would be pretty neat to break this tradition up with a contemporary bookshelf or a modern sculpture.
Update window covers to make them more functional
Windows attract a lot more attention than you think, so besides being functional, they should also speak of your style. Old, worn-out curtains that have changed their color from all the layers of dust simply won’t do. They look terrible and attract tons of allergens. What you should opt for is window blinds that are made from sustainable materials that can also help you control the amount of light in the room. Automated blinds are a great solution for every room, and you can even set them to react to the sound of your voice. With a variety of styles to choose from, you can make the perfect combination – both practical and stylish.
Use highlights to make a strong statement
Creating focal points is a challenge on its own, especially when it comes to eclectic designs. The reason why this is so is due to some incompatible pieces that somehow just don’t seem to fit. However, there is a way to make this happen. Instead of covering these statement pieces, try going the extra mile and highlighting them even more. Although this might sound useless, don’t disregard it before you try it. By emphasizing statement pieces, you can naturally create focal points in any room and make them blend perfectly.
Trust in the power of contrast
If there’s one thing that eclectic styles always have, then that is definitely a lot of contrast. You can contrast different styles, colors, textures, and even the position of furniture. Although contrast works on your side most of the time, there is a limit where you go from contrast to a matchy design. In order to avoid the black-and-white simplification, you should try contrasting more things at once, but in a different ration. Use abstract art to offset traditional furniture pieces, or mix traditional furniture with contemporary details. A baroque style armchair would go with a geometrically printed cushion better than you can imagine.
Create blends by using a single color
After creating contrast, you need to restore the balance with a little bit of blending, and the easiest and most efficient way to do so is with color. Monochromatic designs are boring if there is only a single style to it, but when you’ve already created contrasts, then adding a unifying color solution is the best thing to do. An emerald green couch can blend with contemporary hanging art pieces perfectly when the piece has dashes of rich green to it. Plants also do the trick when it comes to green, while you can match the color of blossoms with red, orange or pink elements.
Trying out different hues of the same color could also work, so get creative and don’t be afraid to experiment a bit. There’s no good eclectic style that hasn’t gone through a rough creative patch, and don’t think yours is going to be the first one. Eclectic styles are the most fun of all, so make sure you enjoy all of it.
