When you’re creating a home that’s authentic and meaningful to you, the only rule is that there are no rules! If you’re drawn to more than one interior style, eclectic design may be perfect for you. Eclectic design means blending elements from a variety of periods, movements, and cultures to create a look that is completely unique. But it’s not just throwing a bunch of things together willy-nilly. Eclectic design takes intention and planning to pull off while avoiding a cluttered and disorganized look. With the help of Savoy House, we’re sharing eclectic design tips to help you create spaces full of personality.

Pick a Neutral Foundation

The term “negative space” is used in graphic design to designate open areas for the eye to rest between design elements like photos, text, and graphics. This principle also applies to interiors, especially if you’re planning to bring in many different colors and patterns. Select a neutral color as the negative space of your room in an element like wall paint, carpet or hard flooring, an area rug, or a sofa. A neutral base becomes a canvas on which you layer other design elements.

Blend Decor Styles

This is the hallmark of eclectic style! Give yourself permission to have fun and be creative. Juxtapose two or more decor styles, even if they are polar opposites. Blend maximalism with modern, or pair cool and contemporary with a rich and rustic design. Hang a glamorous chandelier, like the Savoy House Luna, over a sleek mid century modern table. 

If you’re looking for a more subtle eclectic look, consider pairing a couple of styles that naturally go well together, like Scandinavian with bohemian or industrial with Art Deco.

Mix Your Metals

Mixing metals is a subtle way to change things up in a room by adding another layer of visual interest. You’ll see this most often in kitchens with different finishes on the light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and faucets. But mixing metals is not restricted to a single room! Feel free to mix metals in bathrooms, bedrooms, or any other room!

Mix your metals by choosing a primary metallic finish and using one or two other finishes as accents. Get your home’s lighting in on the action by selecting a fixture with a two-toned finish. The Savoy House Ensley combines a true gold finish with a black base because black truly goes with everything and can even act as an anchoring neutral.

Weave in Textures

Textures are a room’s way of inviting you in and encouraging you to stay a while. They add depth and dimension to a space and provide something for your eyes to grab onto. Most people think of furniture, pillows, and window treatments as texture, but you can also pull in textural elements from unexpected features! 

Light fixtures can offer a rich visual layer, and they work especially well to balance sparkling countertops and lighter color palettes in kitchens and bathrooms. Think of fixtures in earthy or organic materials, like rattan, rope, beads, and wood, that warm up and ground the rest of the room’s design.

Add Color and Pattern

Part of eclectic style is putting on your brave hat and going for it with color and pattern! If you’re unsure about mixing different colors, use the color wheel as a jumping-off point. Mix primary or tertiary colors, or opt for a chic ombre palette. Be unconventional and a bit out of the box. Fill your room with the colors that make you happy and reflect the mood you want to create. 

Mixing patterns takes a little planning, but it’s well worth the effort. Pair a large pattern with a smaller one to keep things fun and prevent visual clutter. For example, pick a throw pillow with large florals and pair it with a pinstriped pillow for contrast. Lighting can play a part too by serving as either a neutral base or as a colorful complement to your room’s palette, like the Meridian pendant in a deep navy blue.

Curate a Collection

What’s more personal than a collection of objects you love? It’s time to put them on display in a way you and your guests can enjoy them. Show off favorite books, travel mementos, or artwork—anything that is meaningful to you and recalls family history, unique experiences, or memories. A gallery wall in a hallway or along a staircase is another way to fill your home with the people and places that bring you joy. And don’t forget to call attention to them with the right lighting! Wall fixtures like the Shellbourne sconces, or downlights on bookcases and built-ins, are wonderful ways to highlight your personal collections.

Nod to Nostalgia

What’s old becomes new again, and vintage styling is back as more homeowners look to the past for inspiration to create eclectic spaces. There’s something cozy about vintage forms and shapes because they make us feel good and they can create a truly one-of-a-kind look. You can also go bold with nostalgic-inspired pieces to make a statement with something big, like the Boa multi-tier chandelier. With tiers of frosted glass feathers, it practically screams “look at me!” with its luxurious Old Hollywood glamour.

Create Personal Spaces

Eclecticism casts off rigid design rules to embrace fluidity, flexibility, and fun. It’s a no-holds-barred approach to interior decor that can look amazing. Finally, and above all else, adorn your home with the things that you truly love and that reflect your style, no matter what category they may fall into. Your home should make you happy, and that often means blending different styles in a way that is uniquely your own. 

When it comes to creating a home you love, anything goes!

See Savoy House lighting collections in person at a lighting showroom near you!