Eclectic interior design is a fascinating approach to decorating that embraces a diverse range of styles, eras, color palettes, and textures. The essence of eclectic design lies in creating a space that feels organically “collected” over time, reflecting a curated journey rather than a strictly coordinated showroom. This approach allows for personal expression and the incorporation of unique finds, creating a visually stimulating and comfortable environment. The beauty of an eclectic space is that it can accommodate a few high-end “splurges” because the overall cost is distributed across a longer period, often spanning years as pieces are gradually acquired and integrated. This article explores how to recreate stunning eclectic spaces on a budget, demonstrating that achieving this sought-after aesthetic is entirely possible without excessive spending.
Getting Started with Eclectic Style: Finding Your Foundation
In my experience, most individuals drawn to eclectic style possess a natural inclination or “leaning” towards another specific design style or era. For example, I personally embrace eclectic design to introduce variety into my spaces, but I inherently gravitate towards the clean lines of mid-century modern aesthetics. Consequently, I typically begin with a modern foundation and then layer in eclectic elements to create depth and character. Identifying your own stylistic leanings can serve as a valuable starting point, providing a framework for curating your eclectic space.
One of my all-time favorite eclectic designers is Jenny Komenda, known for her incredible work on the Little Green Notebook blog. The living room in her previous home exemplified eclectic charm, showcasing a collection of unique and stylish pieces. As detailed on her blog, the room’s composition included carefully selected purchases, creatively updated thrift store finds, and ingenious DIY projects.
While exceptions exist, an eclectic space is typically built upon a neutral foundation to provide a sense of visual harmony. Furthermore, a successful eclectic design incorporates at least one unifying element that ties the diverse components together, lending a sense of cohesion and preventing the space from feeling disjointed. In Jenny Komenda’s living room, she masterfully utilizes a greenish-gray neutral backdrop and strategically incorporates black accents throughout the design to create a cohesive and balanced aesthetic.
The inspired space is filled with carefully curated vintage finds which can often be just as expensive, or even more so, than purchasing brand new furniture and décor. Therefore, recreating this particular room can quickly become costly. I’ve put together a budget-friendly version of this inspiring living room.
While a total of $3,200 is certainly not pocket change, the individual items are remarkably affordable and represent excellent value for the comprehensive furniture selection within the budget. Here’s a breakdown of the components:
- Bookcase: Billy Bookcase from IKEA
- Sofa: Echo Ice Aqua Sofa from Article
- Mirror: Round Mirror Brass from Threshold (Target)
- Leather Sofa: Gordon Tufted Sofa
- Chair: IKEA Stocksund with a Bemz Slipcover
- Rug Runner: Ebay (Antique Persian Rug) – A rug of this size and quality from a retail store would easily cost $500 or more. With careful bidding, you may be able to acquire it for a significantly lower price.
- Jute Rug: IKEA Lohals Rug
- Pedestal Table: Home Hertford Round Aqua Table
- Wall Sconce: World Market Pivoting Wall Sconce
- Table Lamp: Target (Artisan Glass Collection)
- Striped Pillow: IKEA
- Southwest Pillow: Target (Threshold Oversized Lumbar Pillow)
The Bemz slipcover for the IKEA chair represents a slight splurge, but I’ve included it to share one of my favorite “custom on the cheap” tips: Purchase an IKEA chair from their “as is” section. These items are often discounted by more than 75% because they lack slipcovers. By ordering a custom slipcover from Bemz, you can create a truly personalized piece for a surprisingly affordable price.
If this room’s budget still exceeds your comfort level, consider exploring options such as updating thrift store finds, attending estate sales, or patiently waiting for store sales. These strategies can significantly reduce the overall cost of creating your eclectic living room.
I’ve always admired this stunning eclectic dining room. I particularly appreciate the harmonious blend of the rustic modern table, mid-century modern (MCM) dining chairs, and the more traditional rug and light fixture.
Here’s my budget-conscious interpretation of the room:
- Dining Room Table: Kubo Pine from Overstock
- Dining Chairs: Ikea Viktigt Chairs (Total price includes 6 chairs)
- Light Fixture: Pottery Barn Amelia Draped Wood Bead Chandelier
- Rug: Rugs USA
- Curtains: Sabrina Soto Cuba Curtain for Target
- Glassware: World Market (Amber Fez Tumblers)
- Vase: H&M Home
The Pottery Barn light fixture represents a significant investment, but creating a larger version of this DIY bead chandelier from A Beautiful Mess could potentially reduce the total cost of this room to under $1000!
Eclectic design embodies a playful and unique personality that reflects individual tastes and preferences. I hope this guide has provided valuable insights into the defining characteristics of eclectic interiors and demonstrated how to achieve this captivating style on a reasonable budget. Remember that the key to successful eclectic design is to curate a collection of items that you love and that resonate with your personal style, creating a space that is both visually appealing and deeply meaningful.