Eclectic style combines different trends. When creating an interior, remember that it must be consistent in design and layout. However, there is a style that allows you to easily combine elements from different directions, called eclecticism. A kitchen in the eclectic style will be created if it is difficult to determine any clear name for the interior design of the room.
What characterizes an eclectic style kitchen?
The beauty and essence of the eclectic style is that there are no strictly defined rules. You can combine and mix any elements from different directions as long as they interact with each other and create an interesting arrangement. The most important principle is to maintain balance and harmony so that everything does not seem random. This can be quite difficult if you don't have the right feel, so it's good to entrust the project to an interior designer. In an eclectic style, the combination of old and new looks very good using any kind of contrast. You could, for example, place a large rustic table in a minimalist kitchen and fill it with Scandinavian-style utensils. As long as the whole looks harmonious and tasteful, you can talk about the correct use of eclecticism.
Eclectic style is a real mosaic of different furniture, details and textures. It consists of combining seemingly incompatible stylistic additions, colors and textures. The entire art of eclectic interior design is based on the fact that the chosen combinations are random objects and furniture that together form a single and aesthetic whole. The process requires great attention and sensitivity to the perception of colors, textures and non-obvious combinations.
Important Tips
Despite the difficulty of creating such an extraordinary style, brave and self-confident people should take a risk and start a renovation. Be sure to take into account the dimensions of all parts. To create harmony and a comfortable space, it is necessary to place large objects in the back and small ones in front. Contrasting elements should be selected for the room. They will look interesting and creative. Exclusive items will emphasize individuality. But we must not forget that you need to start decorating a room with one bright and large object. And starting from it, select the remaining elements.
It is best to limit yourself to a combination of no more than 3 selected directions. Too many styles look unsightly. The room will not have a cohesive atmosphere or comfort. In addition, if antique furniture is used, it must fit into the interior in color, size, material and shape. Or it will have to be redone, restored, repainted.
Eclectic style is great for a small kitchen. Dark turquoise combines favorably with neutral white, visually making the room larger.
Creative kitchen interior in eclectic style.
A designer should always stick to the overall strategy. All details must be in harmony with each other. The parts of the room space need to be connected by a common idea. The main background that unites the different elements should be a neutral color. The shades of furniture and accessories can be varied. But it is recommended to use no more than 4 primary colors: 1 for walls and ceilings, 2 highlighting colors for large furniture, carpets and several additional shades for decorative items. For example, these could be pillows, picture frames, figurines, lamps.
We must not forget about functionality. Excessive items in the kitchen will collect dust. In addition to the above, you can also decorate the walls. For this purpose, paintings and black and white photographs are used. You can hang any curtains on the windows.
You need to approach the decorating process creatively. Sometimes the incompatible looks great. It is worth paying attention to lighting, so experts recommend using not only decorative lamps, but also a large chandelier and spotlights. Eclecticism will help create a unique interior, realize the bold ideas and needs of kitchen owners and allow you to have fun.
The small-sized kitchen in the eclectic style is decorated extremely functionally.
Kitchen in eclectic style in an ordinary apartment in Moscow.
Who is an eclectic style kitchen suitable for?
The eclectic style in the interior is simply ideal for creative people with many interests and those who are constantly on the move. Thanks to the combination of different objects, you will perfectly highlight interesting collections, emphasizing respect for a particular area of art or sports:
- Travelers will love the eclectic style, as it allows you to display exotic souvenirs from different parts of the world.
- Lovers of fashion, art and history will find the eclectic style an opportunity to show their passion for furniture, lighting, graphic collections, varied patterns and textiles.
Thanks to this, in one interior you can collect both works of modern designers, iconic vintage furniture, and your favorite chest of drawers in the Louis Philippe style.
Finishes and materials
The main emphasis in the eclectic style is on furniture and decorative accessories. The design of the ceiling is intended to serve as a backdrop for mixing different shapes. Therefore, the ceiling is left neutral, most often white. Plaster or paint is used for finishing. To visually expand the space, a multi-level ceiling is allowed.
A TV placed in a baguette looks very stylish.
For an eclectic style floor, natural wood, tiles or their imitation are preferable. Parquet or real wood doesn't work well in a kitchen. Do not forget that the floor must withstand frequent washing, contact with grease or aggressive detergents without loss. In the kitchen it is more convenient to use linoleum, floor tiles or laminate with increased wear resistance, for example, class 32-34.
The choice of both linoleum and laminate is quite wide. There is imitation wood, stone, aged boards. The relief (wood fibers, stone roughness) on the surface looks beautiful, but caring for such a floor will not be easy. Grease and dirt stuck in small recesses are difficult to wash out. A smooth surface is more suitable for the kitchen, which is easier to keep clean.
Eclecticism loves all kinds of niches. Shelves are arranged in them, cabinets, chairs, and tables are placed there. And each of these zones can have its own finish. Anything is suitable for wall decoration: tiles, wallpaper, plaster, paint. These materials can be combined or you can choose just one. The only condition is the absence of an ornament or a very small, almost invisible pattern. There are too many diverse items in eclecticism, so you shouldn’t overload the walls with color or pattern.
Important! The optimal solution for wall decoration is a plain surface with different textures.
Eclectic style - orderly chaos in the interior
Eclectic style consists of combining different design trends or their elements with each other. Its use when decorating an apartment requires feeling and taste so that the interior design does not become chaotic and ill-conceived.
Eclecticism, combining conventions and styles, is a sign of the times and an extremely fashionable trend. After all, many people like controversial things that they want to have in their kitchen. So why limit yourself to one aesthetic when you can have a little bit of everything? This is an eclectic style! But don't think that just putting some random furniture next to each other will make it look pretty. Shaping the interior is a little more difficult, but it's worth a try because the end result is an eclectic kitchen that can reward all your efforts a hundredfold.
It happens that a person uses an eclectic style in interiors without even knowing it, very often coming up with interesting and successful combinations. However, eclectic style should be approached with caution because it is easy to overdo it and without the appropriate feel, you can introduce inner clutter into the interior.
What room decoration is suitable
Properly done room decoration allows you to create an impeccable eclectic style in the kitchen interior. The walls can be pale gray or light beige, which will highlight the beauty of the decorative elements.
Light walls will highlight the bright details of the interior
They can be covered with textured plaster, and then painted, and the walls can be finished with ceramic tiles. To give the style a complete look, you can arrange niches in the kitchen; make rounded corners using drywall for modeling.
It is allowed to use zoning in a large room using various finishing materials. Wall decoration can be done in the form of exposed brickwork, stone, marble tiles.
Kitchen with bright green walls
When laying out a kitchen apron, which is a must-have for eclecticism, you can show original thinking by mixing several types of tiles according to texture, material, but not color.
Small eclectic kitchen
The main rule is to maintain the unity of texture and color. Eclectic style does not tolerate sharp contrasts. When choosing several shades of the same color, you should play with them, showing artistic taste.
Important! Correctly selected colors in eclecticism have an important function: they combine individual elements into a single picture.
Kitchen with bright details and a table from the front door
The eclectic ceiling should be smooth and spotless white. This finish is suitable for small narrow spaces. A flat ceiling painted with white paint will visually increase the height of the room.
Small colorful kitchen
If the kitchen is large and has high ceilings, then they can be painted to match the walls so that the room looks like a single whole. Large rooms dedicated to food preparation are often used as a dining room. Then the dining area is separated from the working area using the color of the furniture, different lighting, an original model of chairs, and a short-pile carpet.
Eclectic kitchen in a studio apartment
The floors in such a kitchen are covered with wide parquet boards, laminate, and marble tiles. Floorboards painted in light shades of brown are acceptable. The style originality will be preserved if there is linoleum on the floor.
White trim and black furniture
To make kitchen floors easier to maintain, it is recommended to separate the work area from the dining area using floor tiles, which are placed where the load on the floor will be maximum. The rest of the space can be covered with less practical material.
Windows in this style are made of huge sizes so that they offer a panoramic view and let in a sufficient amount of sunlight. Natural light allows you to view the whole picture in detail and enjoy the view presented.
One of the options for decorating a kitchen in an eclectic style
Eclectic style in the kitchen interior - modern simplicity in fashionable decor and furniture
There is no single rule that facilitates the choice associated with creating arrangements in the eclectic style, but a sense of proportion matters. If you're worried that you can't arrange a room like this yourself, then look at the photos in this article to capture something interesting, making a mixed interior look fantastic. Look for inspiration in eclectic interiors - it's not about copying, but about choosing a method. Of course, the eclectic style goes well with modern, very simple and stylish furniture. Eclecticism is also skillfully woven into oriental, ethnic or Louisian interior items. Conversely, if your arrangement consists mainly of stylish furniture, then choose only ultra-modern models.
The same applies to the color palette in interior design and to the combination of shapes, designs and materials. Surprisingly, it is much easier to compare items with a distinctive style and equipment that lacks character and striking effect. When decorating an interior in an eclectic style, it is worth considering, for example, that of the 12 chairs around the table in the dining room, each one will be different. It's really a lot of fun. Just remember that this kind of mish-mash is meant to be harmonious—don't bring eclectic chaos inside or your arrangement will overwhelm the room.
Character traits
In interior design, the eclectic trend began to manifest itself in the nineteenth century. At that time, this style exhibited features characteristic of Baroque, classical decor and the Renaissance.
The modern eclectic design has become blurred: it has details characteristic of retro and country country, features of laconic minimalism and luxurious notes characteristic of modernism. Fusion and even pop art are becoming ever closer in spirit to eclecticism.
Due to this seemingly incompatible combination of trends, this style is of particular interest. Numerous kitchen design options will give you the opportunity to find yourself in any place and time period.
Important! Despite the high probability of chaos in the design, one of the advantages of decorating rooms in their eclectic stylization is the possibility of freely getting rid of individual interior components and radically changing the nature of the design.
Naturally, when creating eclectic style kitchen decoration, it is very important to choose directions that have similar features. If you find it difficult to decide what the room will look like, opt for a combination of classic design with exquisite Scandinavian details and oriental style - this is the best option.
Take into account a number of features inherent in any eclectic decor:
- the predominance of geometry , the interior is filled with vertical elements. For example, you can equip niches in the walls, cover them with wallpaper with patterns, decorate them with moldings or wooden columns;
- use of several colors . Combinations of variegated shades and combinations of light, easily perceived natural colors are welcome;
- in such kitchen spaces, attention is focused on the walls due to patterns . We recommend covering the surfaces with wallpaper with patterns, choosing a patterned or ornamented apron;
- According to professionals, the design can be softened through furniture and decorative elements with rounded shapes ;
- Be sure to decorate the windows : hang beautiful curtains decorated with lambrequins or other expressive details;
- Despite the purpose of the kitchen area, one of the features of the eclectic design in such a room can be seen in the use of numerous textiles : tablecloths, floor mats, sofa cushions.
A large number of questions arise when decorating small-sized kitchens. If you think that decorative elements and small accessories will visually reduce the space, choose a more laconic and uncomplicated eclectic design with a modern touch.
How to beautifully decorate a modern kitchen in fusion style: the best interior design ideas, luxurious palettes, unique furniture, optimal options for arranging a kitchen interior.
Read about the rules for choosing kitchen colors according to Feng Shui in this article.
But in the design of a kitchen with a studio layout, you can use more interesting ideas. Be sure to maintain harmony between the decor of the kitchen area and the adjacent room.
Study the recommendations of professionals and photos with examples of kitchen interiors in a similar style.
Kitchen-living room in eclectic style - an arrangement for everyone
With an eclectic style, you're sure to find fans who love light, controlled chaos, and unusual, bold decorations. But at the same time, this is a design for those who prefer conservative arrangements and muted colors. The eclectic style can be adapted to suit every taste. You have virtually unlimited possibilities for combining add-ons and elements from different styles, so there's sure to be something for everyone in this arrangement. A kitchen-living room in this direction will look interesting, because you can easily zone the room. You definitely won’t get bored with the monochrome in such a room.
Features of the eclectic style
At first glance, it seems that the eclectic style is quite easy to create without designer tips, but this is not so. Indeed, eclecticism opens up space for creativity and imagination, as it allows you to use literally everything that is at hand. But building a harmonious composition that connects dissimilar objects into a single whole is much more difficult than adhering to a single style. Eclecticism allows you to combine the incongruous, but requires maintaining a common color scheme, selecting similar textures or geometric contours of furniture, ornaments and accessories.
Use horizontal and vertical stripes in your design. They will help to visually change the geometry of the room. Thus, vertical stripes on the walls will “raise” the ceiling, and horizontal stripes will “expand” the space.
Important! The main condition for creating eclecticism, transforming chaos into harmony is that the design of the kitchen, furniture, and textiles must be combined in color, texture or shape.
In order to somehow streamline the approach to work, designers recommend using no more than two or three styles at a time. Most often, modern eclectic style kitchen interiors combine:
- classic or French village style;
- hi-tech or minimalism;
- Art Deco.
Successful options for combining two styles, as a rule, combine historical eras that are close to each other:
- classicism + empire;
- modern + baroque;
- modern urban or industrial + art deco.
Characteristic features of the eclectic style that are suitable for the kitchen:
- rounded corners on furniture, facades with vertical planes;
- strict vertical, but not too contrasting accents in the design of the walls;
- built-in niches;
- neutral colors interspersed with bright but small elements;
- combination of various finishing materials (tiles, wallpaper, plaster);
- the presence of ornaments on wood or ceramics.
Heavy draperies, gilding, Indian motifs in textiles, parquet, bulky chandeliers or lamps also fit into the eclectic style, but they are clearly not suitable for the kitchen interior.
Important! One of the advantages of eclecticism is that the interior can be easily updated by replacing individual elements. There is no need to purchase a new kitchen set; it is enough to replace only some items or change decorative decorations.
Kitchen in eclectic style: photos of modern interiors
Eclectic style is the starting point for many modern interior design projects. Decorating a kitchen in this style gives you a lot of possibilities and real design pleasure. For an interior in an eclectic style, the design is never completely finished. Location, climate design and flexibility in creating mood mean that with the slightest changes, eclectic interiors come to life with new life.
An eclectic style kitchen means a skillful combination of other trends. The coexistence of different decorations, furniture and objects are combined in a way that overall provides an attractive whole. Eclectic style, as the starting point for many modern interior design projects, is seen in most modern homes.
How to mix styles
A successful mixture is the combination of classic and rustic style into one whole. The interior of a modern kitchen, decorated in an eclectic style, looks very beautiful with a hood above the stove, low-hanging lamps above the dining area, and a work table in the form of an island, which are part of the country style.
A combination of rustic and industrial style
These elements are complemented by classic furniture made of noble wood. Pottery, open shelves, curtains on the windows fit organically into the created interior.
When creating a kitchen in an eclectic style, they most often combine a simple kitchen set with expensive decorative items. This makes it possible to combine Empire with Art Nouveau and get an original design as a result of all the work.
A combination of modern, empire and rustic style
A traditional solution to the problem is to design a kitchen in a classic style with the addition of modernity. To make a room look organic, the main thing in choosing details is color.
Color is the most important component when choosing details for an eclectic kitchen.
The cooking area should be cozy. To make it a pleasure to be and work in the kitchen, designers recommend adhering to several rules.
By selecting household items taken from different styles, they determine their common characteristics, which will help to combine them into a harmonious unity of style. The easiest way is to combine all selected items by color.
Kitchen with crystal chandeliers
On a note! To veil the stylistic diversity of the selected furnishings, choose one color for wall decoration and when choosing furniture, diluting it with similar shades.
Kitchen in gray
If white is used as a basis, then pastel colors are used in the room. It can be the color of baked milk, ivory, light beige.
Pure white kitchen with yellow kitchen island
In eclecticism, it is allowed to use bright spots that will stand out against the general light background and attract the views of guests. So that they fit into the interior and do not look like alien objects, choose one bright color that several objects will have. They can be different in shape and size or the same functional things.
Red accents
Having decided to create an original kitchen interior, the creators of an eclectic kitchen begin to select one large thing around which the entire plan for decorating the room will be built. It could be an antique table, a buffet, or a dining table.
Eclectic kitchen with large dining table
This thing should be multifunctional and occupy an important place in the kitchen. It is this that is painted in a bright color, placed so that it takes its central place in the kitchen. This expensive item allows you to choose other colors and shades in furniture and accessories, limiting them to 3 basic tones. In addition to it, flower vases or clay pots of the same color are placed in the kitchen.
White and blue kitchen with red accents
If antiques are not available, then the problem with a bright original item is solved by buying chairs of an unusual shape. Such a competent choice of colors will unite the space.
Introduction to style
Modern interior design styles for the most part are quite democratic. At first glance, it may seem that the interior of a kitchen in an eclectic style is pure chaos and bad manners, without artistic meaning and clear outlines. But this is only at first glance.
Upon closer examination, eclecticism reveals itself not as a conflict of eras and styles, but as a design magnet that attracts the best opposites of various trends and combinatorial art.
But this does not mean at all that you can, with your eyes closed, take several separate, unrelated objects and, combining them in one room, get eclecticism. Like any modern trend, eclecticism in kitchen design has its own rules and requirements.
Firstly, it concerns texture and color. An eclectic kitchen will not tolerate any sharp transitions or contrasting combinations. Everything should be in harmony and fit together. It is allowed to use several shades of the same color, playing with them like an artist with a palette. It is the shades that should “outline” and unite individual elements, making the kitchen space holistic.
From the outside, an eclectic style interior should look like a picture, a single kaleidoscope made up of many elements, which is endlessly interesting to look at, finding more and more new details in it.
All interior elements should continue each other's theme. Decor plays a special place in such an interior as a connecting link. Frames, figurines, vases, fresh flowers and textiles are the obligatory “characters” of the eclectic play.
General principles of eclecticism
Modern eclecticism in the interior is a design that cannot be attributed to any one style. Therefore, each eclectic style apartment is one of a kind and radically different from others. However, in order to achieve a harmonious combination of furniture, materials and colors, you need to follow certain rules. Here are a few rules that explain what eclecticism is in the interior.
Eclecticism sets a unique interior
- Two or three styles
Choose two or three styles to mix, no more. There are many trends in modern design, but if you try to combine them all in one interior, the expressiveness and individuality of each style will be lost and a balanced eclectic design will result in a mess. Eclecticism is an interior style that combines modern and high-tech, boho and ethnic, baroque and classic well with each other.
TIP: To create an eclectic background style for a room, choose a direction that leans toward neutral tones and plenty of space. For example, minimalism. Its soft tones will serve as an excellent basis for elaborate baroque or colorful ethnic elements.
An example of a successful combination of styles
Balanced eclectic design
- Contrasts and similarities
The eclectic style allows you to mix elements of any direction, but still together they should look, firstly, harmonious, and secondly, interesting. So choose one feature that will unify the whole environment and add contrast. For example, a modern table and a luxurious soft antique sofa are objects of different styles and eras, but they can be combined with the help of monochromatic accessories - lamps, pillows, decorative figures.
TIP: The harmony of the interior can be set by the general color of the walls and furniture, and the remaining items can be chosen in contrasting shapes and from materials inherent in different styles. Or, conversely, you can use very similar shapes in furniture and decor, and create contrast through color or texture.
Design elements are united by color
Unity of design through the color of furniture and walls
- Lots of decor
The eclectic interior is filled with accessories - cushions on sofas and armchairs, paintings on the walls, photographs, mirrors, napkins, decorative figures. Small elements help add contrast where needed, or soften the transition between different styles of furnishings.
