6 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Decorating in Eclectic Style
Eclectic style is all about mixing prints, patterns, quirky art pieces, and fun fabrics into a space. While there's a lot of freedom involved when embracing this aesthetic, there are still several pitfalls that you'll want to avoid to ensure that your home looks top-notch.
We spoke with four eclectic design experts who weighed in on the six common mistakes that people make when decorating their homes in this style. Note that the spaces pictured below all exemplify rooms that absolutely nail eclectic style design—so most definitely look to them for inspiration on how to adapt this look correctly.
Forgetting to Edit Your Space
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Not every item is going to be an automatic yes all the time. "It’s great to love a lot of styles, and usually, I buy whatever I like and try to make it work," designer Bari Ackerman says. But, she adds, there isn't room for everything in a home, and a bit of editing is key.
"As Chanel said to get dressed then remove one piece of jewelry, do the same with your home," Ackerman comments.
Home design influencer Kate Pearce agrees. "Eclectic style doesn't mean just throwing a bunch of disparate items together in a space," she notes. "Have elements that pull it all together and make the room feel cohesive. That usually involves some level of restraint."
Not Defining a Color Palette
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"In other words, use color intentionally," Ackerman advises. She personally decorates her home with orange, green, pink, and a few pops of blue.
Of course, there is still room for a variety of tones. "Use varying shades of your chosen colors to create interest, depth, and a dynamic color flow throughout your home," Ackerman explains.
Home design influencer Tiffany Barino feels similarly. "Not having one signature color throughout, conjoining the different styles, can make the space appear more messy than collected," she comments.
Not Paying Attention to Scale
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"When attempting to achieve an eclectic style, often people will collect pieces over time," designer Michelle Gage explains. "That’s certainly a good way to achieve the look, but if you aren’t designing a room all at once, you really need to be paying close attention to the scale of each and every piece you’re sourcing."
Scale is essential in creating a cohesive, functional space. she adds. Read More...