Modern Meets Traditional: Guide for a Beautiful Eclectic Living Environment

By and large, people tend to lean towards one interior design or the other, rarely considering the possibility of fusing eras and schools of thought to create a truly unique living environment. It’s either modern and sleek, or rustic and traditional. But what if a room was rustic and had a fabulous sofa to introduce a dash of class and a contemporary vibe? This is called the eclectic approach to interior design, and it’s currently one of the most popular designs around the world because it creates a beautiful symbiosis of form and function. 

While it does boast a high aesthetic appeal, the eclectic design can be quite intricate and complex, which is part of the reason why homeowners steer clear of it – not because they don’t like it, but because one wrong decision can impact the ambiance in a negative way. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in your endeavor, because today we’ll be going over the design tips you need in order to bring a beautiful eclectic living environment to life.

Create a neutral foundation

The foundation of every interior starts with the color scheme. But before you start picking out colors for your furniture or the cabinetry in the kitchen, you have to decide on the primary color on the walls. Ideally, and in order to make the rest of the décor stand out without cluttering the room, this color would be a neutral hue. These include but aren’t limited to white and charcoal, for example, but you can also go with off-white the likes of eggshell, champagne, or very light grey.

Now, this doesn’t mean that a wall can’t boast a different color, or a different pattern, but it does mean that your foundation should primarily be neutral – which will allow you to introduce colorful décor later on. If you don’t want to keep every wall neutral, then go ahead and pick a statement wall and put up a focal wallpaper with an interesting pattern. Make sure this wall complements the rest of the room, and that it works well with the other furniture pieces and accents.

The difference is in the details

The eclectic interior design thrives on those finer décor elements that help put the pieces of the room together and create those healthy contrasts that allow every era to stand out in its own right. In a predominantly modern living room that boasts a selection of contemporary furniture, you can introduce traditional accents such as wool rugs that will give the seating area its unique flair and allow the eclectic look and feel to come to life. You can use this mindset to create balance in every room.

In the kitchen, for example, a more mid-century design could perhaps use some modern features, so consider complementing ornate cabinetry with sleek modern appliances and smart devices. You can also create a serene bathroom oasis that’s reminiscent of a mountainside cottage but boasts a beautiful freestanding bath, or a sleek vanity with rustic natural colors.

The balance of power

One of the major reasons why so many homeowners abandon their dreams of creating an eclectic living environment is because they don’t quite understand the balance of power. You see, most people believe that equality rules in eclectic design, but in reality, an eclectic living environment has to have a “ruling” design, a leader, so to speak. You can’t expect to create a balance of different eras and décor elements without allowing one to dominate over the other, because this makes the room look and feel messy, confusing, and it makes the person feel uneasy.

Instead, you need to decide on a design approach that’s going to take up the majority of the space. For example, say you prefer a more modern approach. Instead of splitting the interior 50-50 between contemporary décor and rustic pieces, you can make it 60-40 or even 70-30 depending on your personal taste. This will help frame the design, and give every room a clear sense of direction.

Let a focal point stand out

Finally, every room should have a focal point, especially when you’re trying to make the eclectic design work without making the space feel cluttered. Aside from actually keeping the space clutter-free, think of a way you can make a part of the room stand out. If the room is predominantly rustic, then the focal point should definitely boast a contemporary design, and vice versa.

However, if you notice that a part of the room doesn’t have a dominant design, then go ahead and introduce a statement piece as a contrast. A focal point can be anything from a statement wall, to a fireplace, all the way to vibrant artwork, or a brand furniture piece, so let your imagination take the reins.

Creating an eclectic living environment might seem like a pretty daunting task, but that doesn’t mean that you should settle for a design approach that doesn’t resonate with your heart and mind. Follow these tips and you will have no problem putting a gorgeous eclectic interior together that the entire family will love.