Modern Eclectic Interior Design: The Art of Mixing and Matching

07:37

Interior design has come a long way from the days of matching furniture sets and strict adherence to a single style. Today, homeowners are embracing the art of mixing and matching different styles, textures, and colors to create a unique and personalized look.

This approach is known as eclectic interior design, and it’s becoming increasingly popular in modern homes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at modern eclectic interior design and how you can incorporate this style into your own home.

White and gold swing arm sconces on a blue art deco channel-tufted headboard in an eclectic bedroom design. A black nightstand with a black marble top pairs together with the bed and wall to wall headboard. Pink crown moldings accented with dentil trim complement light gray living room walls and windows framed with pink moldings. Beneath the windows, a white shelter back sofa sits on a gray rug facing a gray coffee table positioned between facing pink and gray accent chairs. The room is illuminated by a brass sputnik light. Eclectic blue kitchen features a copper farm sink with orange skirt and blue cabinets. Paper notes chandelier illuminates a French dining table fitted with red and blue French chairs in an eclectic dining room design. Eclectic dining room features black French ladder back chairs with a black cabriole table lit by an art deco cascading chandelier and black wall moldings. A brown wood island with brass legs is accented with a striped marble countertop seating four brown woven stools facing a sink wiht a polished nickel gooseneck faucet lit by three white and gold pendants. Decorative surfboards hang beneath a vaulted plank ceiling and over blond wood floating shelves mounted in front of light gray glazed backsplash tiles. The shelves are fixed over black cabinets finished with a farmhouse sink and polished nickel gooseneck faucet. Black lanterns light a black island boasting cookbook shelves and a gas integrated cooktop positioned in front of brown leather woven counter stools. A dark brown open island seats brown leather stools at a honed white marble countertop lit by two vintage lanterns in a stunning brown and blue Mediterranean style kitchen. Bathroom features a forest green wooden washstand with honed black marble counter under a vintage mirror flanked by vintage sconces on cream plank trim. Home office features strawberry thief wallpaper, mauve built in shelves and a mid century modern desk chair at a vintage desk atop pink and gray plaid carpeting. Blue decorative plates surround a foyer mirror hung from a wall clad in light gray striped wallpaper an dpositioned over a vintage console table flanked by vintage chairs. The console table is lit by a blue chinoiserie lamp and located over a wicker bin. Glossy blue tiles are framed by a white fireplace mantel fixed beneath an art piece hung from an accent wall covered in blue grasscloth wallpaper. The fireplace is flanked by windows covered in white plantation shutters. A large round rattan mirror hangs from a wall clad in light blue grasscloth wallpaper over a green sofa placed on a tan geometric painted floor. The sofa faces a matching green sofa and is complemented with green cube stools. Contemporary black and yellow living room features art hung over a black velvet tufted sofa accented with mustard yellow velvet pillows. A wicker stool coffee table sits on a black and white striped rug in front of the sofa, while gold and black cane chairs are positioned facing the sofa. A flat panel TV sits on a mid-century modern TV cabinet in front of a mustard yellow painted accent wall. The room is lit by a matte black tripod floor lamp. Living room features a black shiplap fireplace under a flatscreen TV, beige vintage accent chairs with a black pedestal accent table and woven stools at a wooden coffee table. Attic family room features a blue couch on a blue paneled accent wall and round blue and brown tray coffee tables atop a blue rug and a blue accent chair. High rise apartment boasts a wonderfully designed contemporary living room featuring a blue channel tufted sofa placed on a blue rug in front of a desk positioned against brass and wood ladder shelves finishing a white and black painted accent wall. A white couch accented with black striped pillows is positioned beneath a floating picture shelf mounted to a wall covered in pink and black geometric wallpaper over a white and gold sofa table lit by black double gourd lamps.

What is Modern Eclectic Interior Design?

Modern eclectic interior design is a style that combines different design elements from various periods and styles. It’s all about mixing and matching different textures, colors, and patterns to create a cohesive, yet unique look. The key to achieving this style is to strike a balance between different elements. Too much of one style can result in a cluttered and chaotic look, while too little can make the space feel bland and uninspired.

Eclectic dining room features black French ladder back chairs with a black cabriole table lit by an art deco cascading chandelier and black wall moldings.
Photo Credit: Mel Bean Interiors
Living room features a black shiplap fireplace under a flatscreen TV, beige vintage accent chairs with a black pedestal accent table and woven stools at a wooden coffee table.
Photo Credit: Intimate Living

The beauty of modern eclectic interior design is that it allows you to showcase your personal style and creativity. You can incorporate vintage pieces, modern furniture, and even global influences to create a space that feels uniquely you. Whether you prefer a minimalist approach or a more maximalist aesthetic, modern eclectic interior design has something for everyone.

A white couch accented with black striped pillows is positioned beneath a floating picture shelf mounted to a wall covered in pink and black geometric wallpaper over a white and gold sofa table lit by black double gourd lamps.
Photo Credit: Studio Ten
Paper notes chandelier illuminates a French dining table fitted with red and blue French chairs in an eclectic dining room design.
Photo Credit: Liz Caan
Eclectic blue kitchen features a copper farm sink with orange skirt and blue cabinets.
Photo Credit: Ivy and Piper

Elements of Modern Eclectic Interior Design

There are several key elements that define modern eclectic interior design. Here are a few to keep in mind when creating your own eclectic space:

  • Mix and Match Furniture: One of the hallmarks of modern eclectic interior design is mixing and matching furniture pieces from different eras and styles. For example, you might pair a vintage leather sofa with a modern accent chair or a mid-century coffee table with contemporary bookshelves.
Attic family room features a blue couch on a blue paneled accent wall and round blue and brown tray coffee tables atop a blue rug and a blue accent chair.
Photo Credit: Morgan Harrison Home
  • Incorporate Patterns and Textures: Another key element of modern eclectic design is incorporating patterns and textures. You might mix a bold geometric print with a more subtle floral pattern or pair a plush velvet sofa with a textured jute rug.
  • Use Color to Tie Everything Together: Color is an essential element in modern eclectic interior design. You can use color to tie different elements together and create a cohesive look. For example, you might use a bold accent color throughout the space or incorporate a variety of complementary colors.
Green and blue pillows sit atop a white couch placed in front of a wall covered in green plus print wallpaper, as a wicker lamp and a blue tray sits on a green parsons end table placed beside a white and black striped accent wall.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Lily Interiors
  • Add Art and Accessories: Finally, modern eclectic design is all about adding personal touches to the space. Add art and accessories that reflect your personal style, such as vintage posters, unique sculptures, or colorful throw pillows.
Pink crown moldings accented with dentil trim complement light gray living room walls and windows framed with pink moldings. Beneath the windows, a white shelter back sofa sits on a gray rug facing a gray coffee table positioned between facing pink and gray accent chairs. The room is illuminated by a brass sputnik light.
Photo Credit: Andrew J Howard
White and gold swing arm sconces on a blue art deco channel-tufted headboard in an eclectic bedroom design. A black nightstand with a black marble top pairs together with the bed and wall to wall headboard.
Photo Credit: Zoe Feldman Design

Tips for Creating a Modern Eclectic Interior

If you’re interested in creating a modern eclectic interior in your own home, here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Start with a Neutral Base: To keep the space from feeling too cluttered, start with a neutral base. This might include white or beige walls, a neutral sofa, and simple window treatments.
  • Mix High and Low: Don’t be afraid to mix high-end pieces with more affordable finds. For example, you might pair a designer lamp with a thrift store coffee table or mix a vintage rug with a contemporary sofa.
  • Create a Focal Point: To prevent the space from feeling too chaotic, create a focal point in the room. This might be a bold piece of artwork, a statement light fixture, or a unique piece of furniture.
  • Layer Textures: To create visual interest, layer different textures throughout the space. This might include a plush rug, a velvet sofa, and a woven throw blanket.
  • Edit and Curate: Finally, editing and curating your space is essential to achieving a cohesive look. Don’t be afraid to remove pieces that don’t work or feel cluttered. And remember, less is often more.
High rise apartment boasts a wonderfully designed contemporary living room featuring a blue channel tufted sofa placed on a blue rug in front of a desk positioned against brass and wood ladder shelves finishing a white and black painted accent wall.
Photo Credit: Caitlin McCarthy
Decorative surfboards hang beneath a vaulted plank ceiling and over blond wood floating shelves mounted in front of light gray glazed backsplash tiles. The shelves are fixed over black cabinets finished with a farmhouse sink and polished nickel gooseneck faucet. Black lanterns light a black island boasting cookbook shelves and a gas integrated cooktop positioned in front of brown leather woven counter stools.
Photo Credit: Anne Chessin Designs

Modern eclectic interior design is all about mixing and matching different styles, textures, and colors to create a space that feels uniquely you. By incorporating vintage pieces, modern furniture, and global influences, you can create a space that’s both inviting and inspiring.

Gray bedroom with gray grasscloth wallpaper framing taupe velvet tufted headboard accented with white and taupe hotel bedding with taupe stitching and faux fur throw blanket flanked by polished nickel swing-arm sconces over eclectic nightstands. Master bedroom features slipcovered chaise lounge and black mid-century coffee table in front of window covered in gray curtains with fretwork trim.
Photo Credit: Nanjoo Design

Remember to keep a balance between different elements, use color to tie everything together, and add personal touches to the space. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a modern eclectic interior that’s both stylish and functional.

Bathroom features a forest green wooden washstand with honed black marble counter under a vintage mirror flanked by vintage sconces on cream plank trim.
Photo Credit: Whittney Parkinson Design
Home office features strawberry thief wallpaper, mauve built in shelves and a mid century modern desk chair at a vintage desk atop pink and gray plaid carpeting.
Photo Credit: Dunbar Road
Blue decorative plates surround a foyer mirror hung from a wall clad in light gray striped wallpaper an dpositioned over a vintage console table flanked by vintage chairs. The console table is lit by a blue chinoiserie lamp and located over a wicker bin.
Photo Credit: Sarah Bartholomew Designs
Glossy blue tiles are framed by a white fireplace mantel fixed beneath an art piece hung from an accent wall covered in blue grasscloth wallpaper. The fireplace is flanked by windows covered in white plantation shutters. A large round rattan mirror hangs from a wall clad in light blue grasscloth wallpaper over a green sofa placed on a tan geometric painted floor. The sofa faces a matching green sofa and is complemented with green cube stools.
Photo Credit: McCann Design Group
Contemporary black and yellow living room features art hung over a black velvet tufted sofa accented with mustard yellow velvet pillows. A wicker stool coffee table sits on a black and white striped rug in front of the sofa, while gold and black cane chairs are positioned facing the sofa. A flat panel TV sits on a mid-century modern TV cabinet in front of a mustard yellow painted accent wall. The room is lit by a matte black tripod floor lamp.
Photo Credit: Residents Understood

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is modern eclectic interior design?

Modern eclectic interior design is a style that combines elements from different design eras and cultures to create a unique, cohesive look. This style mixes modern and vintage pieces, bold patterns, and textures to create a dynamic and visually interesting space.

How do I incorporate modern eclectic design into my home?

To incorporate modern eclectic design into your home, start by choosing a few key pieces that represent the style you’re going for. Mixing and matching different patterns, textures, and colors will help create a cohesive look. Don’t be afraid to mix old and new elements, and experiment with different styles until you find what works for you.

What color schemes work well with modern eclectic design?

Modern eclectic design allows for a lot of creativity when it comes to color schemes. You can mix and match bold, bright colors with neutral tones, or use a monochromatic color scheme with pops of color. The key is to choose colors that complement each other and create a cohesive look.

What materials are commonly used in modern eclectic design?

Modern eclectic interior design often incorporates a mix of materials, including wood, metal, glass, and natural fibers like cotton and wool. Incorporating different textures is key to creating a dynamic and visually interesting space.

Can I mix different design styles in a modern eclectic space?

Yes! Mixing different design styles is a hallmark of modern eclectic design. You can mix mid-century modern with bohemian, or industrial with traditional. The key is to find a common thread that ties everything together, whether it’s a color scheme, texture, or pattern.

How do I avoid creating a cluttered look in a modern eclectic space?

To avoid a cluttered look in a modern eclectic space, it’s important to balance out bold patterns and colors with neutral tones and simple designs. Don’t be afraid to edit your space and remove items that don’t fit the overall look and feel you’re going for.

Can modern eclectic design work in a small space?

Yes! Modern eclectic design can work in any size space. In fact, a small space can be a great opportunity to experiment with bold patterns and colors. The key is to choose furniture and decor that are proportional to the space and don’t overwhelm it.

For more eclectic design inspiration, check out this content: 25 Small Eclectic Kitchens Full of Color and Personality

You're reading Modern Eclectic Interior Design: The Art of Mixing and Matching, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.



Posted By : Holly Antoine

Share This Story

Tags: , ,

You Might Also Like

0 comments

Like us on Facebook

Flickr Images