While some people need to have their home decorated in a very specific style, there are those who like their home’s appearance to be a little more individual. These people know what they like, and they want to reflect their unique tastes in their home’s decor. There really is no template for an eclectic style, because it is comprised of things that appeal to the homeowner. There are any number of ways to mix and match colors and styles to come up with a room that is one-of-a-kind and perfectly reflects its owner.

Start with a Theme
One of the difficulties of decorating in an eclectic style is that it always runs the risk of appearing cluttered and unorganized. So to keep the space looking like it was put together in a thoughtful, purposeful way, it is a good idea to have a design plan in place. A really easy way to create a plan is to simply have a decorating theme for the space. The theme can be literally anything, like a color, a shape, a texture, or even a favorite food.

For example, consider using bamboo texture as a theme in the room, and think of the many interesting ways that it can be worked into a room’s design. Of course a bamboo shade is an obvious choice, as is a bamboo plant. Then add a planter with a panda bear design, and a colorful shade pull made of blown glass. Or pick a color like jade green, and in a basically neutral room, use the color around the room in interesting ways. Drape a jewel tone green scarf over a chair back, line up green, glass, vases to sparkle on a windowsill, and add a favorite, hand carved, jade elephant to the mantelpiece.

Choose an Ethnic Look
Select an ethnic look for an eclectic room’s design, and bring in favorite artifacts to flesh out the room’s design. For an Asian inspired room hang a silk, embroidered kimono on the wall. For a Southwestern room design add authentic Mexican pottery on countertops, bright throw rugs to the floor and handmade sculptures to tabletops. Make sure to edit belongings when introducing them into the design, and try not to overdo any theme in the room. Remember that a theme is simply a guideline to keep a room’s design feeling cohesive. It is not a challenge to see how many ethnic artifacts can fit in a single room. Use belongings in unexpected ways: Frame textiles and hang as wall art, or use a bamboo matchstick blind as a table runner. Use a small quilt as a window topper, or display a travel map as a wall decoration. Choosing ethnic inspiration as the centerpiece of a room’s design can really develop into a lovely space.

Tell a Tale
When decorating a room in a style as personal as the eclectic style is, it is nice to tell a story with the design. While a themed room centers around an idea, color, shape or other theme, decorating around a story is a little different. In a room with a theme, all of the articles in the room relate to each other in some obvious way. In a room telling a story, while the objects in the room relate to each other, without the storyteller, the relationship of the items to one another is not necessarily apparent. The story can be a life story, a vacation tale or any other interesting tidbit that might lend an easy order to the appearance of an eclectic room.

Author Bio: Online contributing editor for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, Jessica Ackerman has extensive design experience, using kitchen metal wall decor and fleur de lis kitchen wall art.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: wallpaper, floor, bathroom, paint, living room, carpet, home office, bedroom, windows