Add a pop of color and style to your home with these easy decor tips

What’s your design style? Do you find yourself wallowing in all styles, you want a bit of every world? You could be an eclectic at heart! The eclectic style is all about boldness, imperfection, rebellion, drama, color, pomp, attention-seeking and more drama.

It is denoted by different periods of design and a collection of well-curated knick-knacks. In as much as it is a mix of all there is out there, there has to be some balance, layout and tact or you will end up living in a zoo. We show you how to go wild with this style without going overboard.

Layout

Figure out where each and every piece of furniture is going to fall. Colour and patterns are what make a room eclectic but a room with misplaced furniture will leave inhabitants and guests feeling confused. Arrange your furniture in different ways until you find a practical and inviting layout.

Colour

Need we mention the louder the colours, the better the effect. Colour that says “hear me roar”! Keep majority of your walls and furniture neutral to ground the other brighter colours. Allow only a few walls or furniture pieces to stand out in color and let the rest be quiet.

Have a go-to color that you go back to in your design. It could be a hot pink, a bright yellow or a brilliant white but going back to it with your fabric and accessories will ensure you have a cohesive look. You can add an overdose of color with accessories like pillows, vases and art.

Texture

Different textures play together in a colorful pallet to bring an eclectic theme together. Whether it is a straw rug, mohair pillows, a silky throw, a leather accent chair or a plush velvet ottoman the end game is to have an array of texture. Play around with different textures to achieve this look.

Focus

In all this wildness, do create a focal point. It could be a feature wall, a collection of photos or art, a dramatic wall hanging or a medieval piece of furniture. Creating a focal point keeps the room from looking too busy and keeps your theme centered.

Balance

Aim for balance in each room with symmetry, colours or hardware. Use similar lines and patterns in not-so-obvious ways repetitively in your room to achieve cohesiveness. For instance, if you are working with a striped kikoy fabric; repeat the stripe effect elsewhere in your room.

You could either go with strips of long tubular lighting or a frame with stripes embossed or engraved in it. You can also achieve balance by working with similar shapes, for instance, throw in some round baskets or “uteos” on your wall to balance out a round coffee table. Balance is key to a seamless eclectic theme.

Drama

It can never be eclectic without that one single piece with over-the-top-drama. It could be a larger-than-life framed art, an accent chair that has no apologies in it’s style or size, an oversized letter standing in the corner, a grandiose mirror, or a huge Maasai mask finished in a rebellious unexpected turquoise blue color. Whatever it is, make it roar!