Eclectic: dark and moody sample box

White 05

Beige 04

Blue 05

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Purple 03

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Blending old and new with the love of deep colours, incorporating patterns and wallpaper all in a thoughtful, unique way.

Can’t decide between rustic farmhouse or \nmid-century modern decor\n? Or perhaps you want a bit of a \nboho home decor style\n with elements of \nmaximalist decor\n thrown in too? Well, you might have found your match in eclectic decor style. With its focus on carefully curated interiors that express your individual tastes, if you want the best of \nall\n worlds and don’t want your home looking too matchy, then read on.\nWhat is eclectic decor style?\nWhilst maximalism is all about more is more, eclectic decor focusses on a sparing yet deliberate use of statement colour, texture and unique finds. In other words - don’t overcrowd. Eclectic decor is characterised by careful curation and unpredictability. Blending old and new, incorporating pieces from different periods and styles, an eclectic home will always be entirely unique. Feel free to mix things up and tell your story through vibrant gallery walls and collections of trinkets from global travels—giving your furnishings space to breathe and room to shine.\nThe history of eclectic decor style\nStemming from the Greek word \neklektikos\n, meaning 'selective' or 'to choose the best', the term was initially used in philosophy to describe the process of picking the best of a range of arguments to form your own. The idea transitioned into architecture from the 19th century with the Victorian-era obsession with global fashions. Rather than sticking to neo-classical or Gothic revival, many architects of this era selected elements from a variety of styles to create a brand new look. From philosophy to architecture, it's no surprise that this process of selecting the best elements of something and repackaging them to create your own trickled down into the interior design world.\nCharacteristics of eclectic decor style\nEclectic decor characteristic: playful colour palette\nWhether on your walls or through your furniture choices, eclectic decor is all about a playful colour palette. Pick one \npaint\n colour to anchor the room, and then add a touch of vibrancy with accent colours. For example, you could pair bold furnishings with \nneutral colours\n or use a statement \nwallpaper\n with colours that you love to inform your palette, like \nElectric Poppies 02\n. Take a look at our guide on \nhow to make a mood board\n and get inspired by these \n6 colour bedroom and living room ideas\n.

Eclectic decor characteristic: incorporation of global influences \nIn keeping with modern times, a big part of eclectic decor is incorporating global influences into your decor. This could be in the form of a Chinese lacquered cabinet or a pair of Moroccan pouffes arranged on an enormous Persian rug. Or what about a headboard upholstered with a vintage Uzbek suzani paired with an Indian block-printed quilt (ok those last two might be a bit much together, but you get the idea)?\n\nTake a look at our guide on \nhow to reupholster a headboard\n to create your own.

Eclectic decor characteristic: a curated mixture of old and new\nJust as you can create a curated collection of global influences with eclectic decor, you can mix vintage, antique, and new pieces together. The golden rule is to be selective rather than have loads of "stuff". Don't overdo it. How about pairing a rustic antique dining table with modern shaped Saarinen Tulip chairs or an art-deco inspired upholstered bed with perspex side tables and modern pendant lighting.

Eclectic decor characteristic: mixed patterns and textures\nAnd just as you can blend old and new in eclectic decor, you can artfully mix patterns and textures into your style. A fun and easy way to do this is with your cushions. Pair fluffy Mongolian sheepskin cushions with a colourful velvet pom-pom number or a soft bouclé sofa with a mid-century modern leather armchair.

Eclectic decor characteristic: unexpected design elements\nFrom a movie set floor lamp in the corner of your living room to a salvaged trunk as a coffee table or at the foot of your bed—when it comes to eclectic decor, expect the unexpected. It can even be smaller touches like a novelty door knocker or candlesticks. Or try something totally different and \npaint or wallpaper your ceiling\n for a pop of colour where you'd least expect it.

Eclectic decor characteristic: gallery walls\nGallery walls are one of the most striking and key components of eclectic decor. They’re an opportunity for you to display all your favourite artwork and curios in one place. Apply that idea to your walls for a collection of different artistic movements from Pop Art to Impressionism with the odd vintage movie poster, a framed record, and neon sign for good measure. Take a look at these \n10 gallery wall ideas\n for some inspiration in your home of get the look with a sneak peek inside \nVogue William’s art-filled London home\n.

If you think your style is leaning towards the eclectic, then take a look at \nhow to embrace the eclectic style in your living room\n or learn \nhow to create a stunning eclectic-style bedroom\n.

If you’re not a fan of following the rules well, then the \neclectic decor style \nmight just be the perfect style for your home. Stemming from the Greek word \neklektikos\n, meaning 'selective' or ‘to choose the best’ it allows you to have the best of \nall\n worlds by choosing your favourite elements of a variety of decor trends. Inspired by everything from rustic farmhouse to \nboho home decor\n with a bit of \nmid-century modern\n and \nmaximalist decor\n thrown in, it’s one of the most laid back and least-prescriptive styles, making it perfect for a relaxed and informal, eclectic living room.\nEclectic-style living room idea: saturated colours anchored down with neutrals\nSpeaking of colour schemes, an eclectic decor living room should feel fun and playful. Pick one \npaint\n colour to anchor the room, and then add a touch of vibrance with accent colours. Just take a look at these \n6 colourful bedroom and living room ideas\n for inspiration. You could try pairing bold or patterned furnishings with \nneutral colours\n or use a statement \nwallpaper\n to inform your palette. Take a look at our guide on \nhow to make a mood board\n to find out how.

Eclectic-style living room idea: gallery wall\nAn instantly recognisable sign of an eclectic decor home is a striking gallery wall that draws you in. A chance for you to display your favourite artwork, signs, and vintage finds​​—that’s right, gallery walls don’t just have to be paintings. Take a look at these \n10 gallery wall ideas\n for some inspiration in your home or get the look with a sneak peek inside \nVogue William’s art-filled London home\n.

Eclectic-style living room idea: a mix of old, new and globally-inspired furniture \nAt first glance, an eclectic living room looks fun, youthful, and modern—and they are! But look a little closer and you’ll spot the odd vintage or antique piece juxtaposed with contemporary furnishings, finished off with a sprinkling of global influences. In the living room, this might look like a Parker Knoll wingback chair paired with a velvet sofa, positioned on an enormous Persian rug. The gold rule is to be \nselective. \nDon’t fill your living room with “stuff” and tie the look together with a cohesive colour scheme.

Eclectic-style living room idea: curated mix of patterns and textures\nOnce you’ve got your colour palette sorted, it’s time for the fun part. An eclectic living room layout doesn’t call for formality and symmetry but rather prioritises a comfortable yet inspiring approach. The key to pulling it all together is by using bold patterns, splashes of colour, and mismatched elements that tie together in some way. Whether that’s a piece of artwork mirroring your cushions or your picture frames matching your rug. Layer on a mix of patterns and textures through curated cushion choices, thick pile rugs or a statement print armchair—the list is exhaustive.

Eclectic-style living room idea: an artsy edge\nCreatives are like a moth to a flame when it comes to eclectic decor. As we said before, it’s a trend for the non-conformists and those who struggle to follow the rules. Let your artistic side shine by giving your eclectic style living room an informal, artsy edge. Showcase trinkets from your travels or items that have a story behind them. Display them on a mantel piece, gallery wall, or curated coffee table look—and make sure to include some of your own artwork or creations.

If you like the sound of these eclectic living room ideas then why not try the look on for size in your bedroom with these stunning \neclectic bedroom ideas\n.

With installations across the UK and some exciting projects across the pond in the pipeline, interior designer Pandora Taylor’s work has featured on the pages of House & Garden and Town & Country to name a few. We fell in love with her idiosyncratic style because of the way she manages to seamlessly mix the contemporary and the antique. So, we met up with Pandora and her adorable Sealyham terrier, Mr Bingley, in their south London home for a little Q&A on all things \neclectic decor\n, affordable art, and home renovations.

As an interior designer, what would be your three top tips for a novice decorator? \n\nBe adventurous and push your boundaries, but always remember that function is key. \nDon’t be afraid to explore different styles and colours—you’ll be surprised by what you might  like! \nMost of all, trust your intuition. If you love it, go for it. \n

The wall mural in the living room\n—\nwe love it. What was the inspiration behind it?\n\nI love the idea of old country houses with large tapestries on the walls. They have such a warm,  earthy feel. I wanted to bring that feeling to the living room and create something a little unexpected for a Victorian house in London. 

What would your advice be for our readers who like the idea of a wall mural but are perhaps a bit scared to make the jump? \n\nStart with something not too expensive, then if you don't like it you can just paint over it!  \n\nYou’ve spoken before about inviting your clients to think about colours other than white. Why’s that? And what would your alternatives be? \nDon’t get me wrong, white certainly has its place. For me it just seems a shame when there are so many wonderful colours to choose from. I use the colour blue like other people use white—it’s my neutral. It’s the perfect uplifting base for everything else. Something like \nBlue 15\n.

You design your own furniture and have collaborated with Ensemblier. Where to begin when designing a  piece of furniture—where do you get your inspiration?  \n\nI am really inspired by architecture, whether it’s classical or modern, there are lines and motifs  that translate so perfectly to furniture. I particularly like sitting on the top deck of the bus as you notice details on buildings you just can’t appreciate from street level. I also pick up a lot of shapes and colours from nature—all my  headboards are named after the natural world.

And what’s your favourite piece in the whole house?\nVery tough! But I would probably say the toleware table in my living room. It’s from one of my  favourite antiques shops, Hand of Glory Antiques & Interiors. It was the last thing I bought for this room and it just feels like it was  made for the space. The top half is a tray which sadly no longer comes off, but the handles are so  handy for moving it around, which seems to happen a lot!\n\nWe love how you mix period pieces with modern designs. What’s the secret to doing so  without it jarring?\n\nI think even my modern pieces have an edge to them, they don't have a brand new untouched feeling. I try to steer clear of any new furniture that feels too sharp and clean. I prefer objects to feel  like they have seen a few things.

You’ve got quite the art collection. Where do you find your pieces and how do you decide which ones to buy? \n\nI have collected various pieces over the years. I used to love trawling through charity shops when I was younger which is where most of the small traditional pieces are from. But in more recent years I have bought pieces at the Affordable Art Fair as well as galleries like Blue Shop Cottage.\n


I never go out looking for art, but if I see something and have a physical response to it then I snap it up, as (luckily for my bank balance) it’s something that happens rarely.

Do you have a favourite?\nDefinitely the large oil painting of my old family dog. It was based on a photo I had taken of him  where he looked so soulful and imperious staring off into the distance, I wanted to portray him like an Edwardian gentleman.\n\nYou bought this house in 2019 as a fixer-upper. What would you recommend our readers look for in a renovation project?\n\nIt has to have great bones. The best thing about this house are the proportions, the ceilings are  really high and the rooms are generous and wide. These aren’t really things you can change unless you end up doing serious structural work.

Anything you wish you’d done differently?  \nThe only thing I don't LOVE are the timber floors. All the floors are original pine which is fantastic and made it much more cost-effective, but they came up so yellow once sanded. We did them in a bit of a rush and given more time I would have liked to look into painting them. Having said that, everyone else thinks I’m mad when I mention this as they love them!\n\nAside from your own house you’ve worked on some seriously  desirable projects. Which one would you say is your favourite and why?\nSo hard, as every project has its own highlights, however I did really love doing my Dorset House project. It was the first country house interior I had ever worked on and it was fun to be able to embrace the style fully. Although of course it has a Pandora Taylor twist on it.\n\nAnd finally, any words of wisdom for the budding interior designers out there?\nRemember to enjoy it! People often don't realise that there is a lot of admin that goes into interior design, but it is all worth it for the end result.

Oh, and it’d be rude not to. If you had to pick just one, what would your favourite Lick paint colour and wallpaper be?\nWeirdly, as you would think I would choose a blue by looking at my house, I love \nGreen 10\n. It is hard to find a really rich grass green like this and it can be a really fun punch of colour when used as an accent.\n\nIn terms of the wallpapers, I love Canopy 02.

Head over to \nPandora's website\n for more of her eye-catching interior designs or \nshop\n some of her statement furnishings. Give her a follow \n@pandorataylor for the latest updates.\n

Derived from the Greek word \neklektikos\n, meaning 'selective', in decor terms, \neclectic decor style\n refers to selecting your favourite elements across various styles and reinterpreting them into your own idiosyncratic look. It's all about breaking the rules, expressing your individuality, and not subscribing to one decor trend. In the bedroom, that looks like a cosy and welcoming space. A room filled with your favourite objects and layered with soft fabrics and cushions. So, if you can't decide between going full \nmaximalist decor\n or \nmid-century modern\n, with eclectic decor, you don't have to.\nEclectic-style bedroom idea: gallery wall\nA gallery wall is the perfect way to put your stamp on an eclectic style bedroom. It's an opportunity to create your favourite pieces on one wall and a tell-tale sign of an eclectic decor room. \nVogue Williams' London home\n is a gorgeous example of letting your art do the talking. But remember to think outside the box. Whilst it can be a curated collection of your favourite artwork, an eclectic-style gallery wall can also include mirrors, tapestries, vintage or neon signs. Anything you can hang on a wall, really.

Eclectic-style bedroom idea: bold wallpaper\nBold wallpaper and eclectic decor go together like tea and cookies. Think out-there florals like \nElectric Poppies 02\n or \nJungle 03\n. You can use your wallpaper choices to create a \nDIY mood board\n and inform your \npaint\n colour choices throughout the rest of your bedroom. If you don't want to commit to wallpapering the entire room, why not just create a feature wall behind your headboard. Doing the job yourself? Find out \nhow to hang wallpaper\n like a pro.\n\nTake a look at these \n6 feature walls ideas\n for inspiration.

Eclectic-style bedroom idea: layer patterns and textures\nMore than any other room, you want to create a cosy and cocooning feel in your bedroom. When it comes to eclectic decor, you can achieve this by layering patterns, colours and textures in soft fabrics and tactile finishes. Whether that's an \nupholstered headboard\n, a plush velvet bedroom bench, a thick pile rug underneath your bed or patterned curtains that add some drama—there is so much variety in the way you can use pattern and fabric in an eclectic style bedroom. Oh, and don't forget the scatter cushions!\n\nTake a look at these \nDIY headboard ideas to try at home\n.

Eclectic-style bedroom idea: saturated colours mixed with neutrals\nOne of the key differentiations between an eclectic bedroom and a maximalist decor bedroom is the inclusion of neutrals. Whilst a \nYinka Ilori style\n maximalist room might go full colour, eclectic style uses saturated colours contrasted with neutrals. This could look like a \nneutral colour palette\n on your walls with brightly coloured art and furnishings or more muted, textured fabrics with a brighter \npaint\n palette. The choice is yours.\n\nTake a look at these \n6 colourful bedroom and living room ideas\n for some inspiration on how to use colour in these key rooms.

Eclectic-style bedroom idea: mix furniture styles\nDon't be afraid to mix vintage, antique, and modern pieces in your eclectic decor bedroom. For example, you could pair a Louis XVI style bed with a modern, glass dressing table, a vintage steamer trunk at the end of your bed, and art deco style lighting. The rules are there are no rules when it comes to eclectic decor. Just remember not to overfill your room. You still want it to be selective and for it to look curated. However, ultimately it's the colour palette that ties it all together, so opt for pieces in keeping with your overarching decor scheme.

If an eclectic-style bedroom sounds like a bit of you, why not take a look at these \neclectic living room ideas\n to get the look throughout your home.

The purple alone is a serious mood. Paired with rich blues and teals with a little white and beige to balance things out, it's dark, sexy and full of drama. Perfect for a space where you want to make a fun statement.

Eclectic: dark and moody

Eclectic

Eclectic: calm and relaxing

Eclectic: light and airy

Eclectic: cosy and warm

Eclectic: energising and refreshing