How To Decorate An Eclectic Bedroom

A fun and lively eclectic bedroom is the perfect way to celebrate your personality, using all of your favorite pieces and colors. After all, eclectic simply means that you're not adhering to a set style, so anything goes, right? Well, yes and no. While an eclectic bedroom can, and should, mix together a wide variety of elements, it should do so in a way that maintains harmony and balance.

Following some basic design principles will ensure that your eclectic bedroom looks well-designed and intentional.

Pick a Unifying Element

One of the pitfalls of decorating with an eclectic style is that it can easily cross over into looking chaotic. You can avoid that by picking an element that you love and repeating it consistently throughout the bedroom in creative and unexpected ways. 

Color is the most common way to bring a eclectic bedroom together. You can use paint on everything from walls to furniture to doors. To avoid overdoing it, use different shades of the same color to add variety. You can also use a unifying motif - palm trees, geometric shapes, stripes - whatever draws you in. Or choose a metal, such as rubbed nickel, and use it throughout the room in furniture and accents. 

Whether it's a shape, a color, or a texture, using a unifying element will make your eclectic bedroom look intentional.

Start Slowly

When you first begin the transition to an eclectic bedroom, don't rush into it. Instead of forcing yourself to find everything you want in one exhausting shopping trip, let your bedroom develop organically and over time. 

Begin with pieces you already own and love. Arrange and rearrange them until you're happy with the room's overall feel, then decide what's missing. Then you can purposefully start adding depth through layers. 

Keep your mind open to unexpected delights. You never know where you'll find the perfect curtains or comfy desk chair. 

Mix Furniture Styles

One of the joys of having an eclectic bedroom is surrounding yourself with your favorite furniture pieces. Instead of a matching set from a traditional furniture store, you can bring together items from different places and eras. As long as you love it, use it. 

You can even transform a piece from its original intention to make it work for you. Do you need a nightstand? Maybe that underused bar cart that you love can be brought into your bedroom. Get creative!

But do try to find something common amongst your furniture pieces, whether it's color or scale or something else. It will make your room feel harmonious yet still eclectic. 

Add Pops of Color

Once you have the basics settled in, it's time to add some punchy appeal with pops of color. Remember that colors don't have to be the same exact shade throughout. In fact, using varying intensities of the same color will heighten visual interest. 

Whereas standard color schemes stick to 2-3 colors in a room, you can use as many colors as you'd like with an eclectic bedroom. However, to keep everything tied together, draw your inspiration from something in the room - a painting, curtains, rug. This will tie it all together neatly.

Throw in Texture

Different textures throughout your bedroom also add to its eclectic appeal. Incorporate plenty of textiles, some soft and some rough, to add a new dimension to the eclecticism. 

This is the perfect place to throw in some natural elements. A jute rug, for example, will contrast beautifully with shaggy faux-fur pillows. Or, try something unexpected, such as hanging woven mats on the walls for even more texture and visual appeal.

Anything that appeals to your sense of touch is fair game here. 

Embrace Patterns

Pattern mixing is not for the faint of heart! It can be challenging to mix patterns boldly and excitingly yet still easy on the eyes. 

One of the easiest ways to do this is to pick patterns with similar colors. They don't even have to be the same exact shade, just close enough to look like they were chosen purposely. 

Another way to embrace patterns is by choosing motifs that work well together. These don't have to, and shouldn't, match. Instead, go for opposites - a striped bedspread with tropical-print pillows, for example. 

The last thing to consider is scale. Mix up the sizes of your patterns, balancing oversized patterns with smaller repeating ones. There are no rules when it comes to embracing patterns. Pick your favorites and have fun with them. 

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

This is one of the eclectic style hallmarks: taking an item and using it in a completely unique way. Let your imagination run wild here. If there is a piece you love, there is no reason why it shouldn't be showcased in your eclectic bedroom, in some capacity. 

Creative wall hangings rule this category. Shallow bowls and baskets, kitchen textiles, and framed fabrics can all add quirky fun to your bedroom walls.

The same goes for furniture. Does your headboard really need to come from the local furniture shop? Anything from driftwood to hanging fairy lights to your surfboard collection can be repurposed into an eclectic headboard. 

Make It Your Own

In the end, there are no set rules for putting together your dream eclectic bedroom. Unleash your personality by allowing yourself to pair up your favorite items in a way that is creative and intentional.