Eclectic interior design: six tips for creating a home that is uniquely you

A cosy living room featuring two windows dressed with Roman blinds, filling the space with soft light.

Eclectic interior design is about creating a home that feels collected rather than overly curated. For a long time, we saw rooms styled in very neutral ways, but homeowners are starting to realise their spaces should reflect their personality rather than just trends. We've moved beyond beige minimalism - people want homes with character again. Social media has played a big role too; seeing real homes with big personalities online has made people more confident about mixing colours, patterns and styles.

Person standing at a kitchen sink beside a wide window with a Pleated blind half lowered, plants on the sill and daylight filling the green kitchen.

What is eclectic interior design?

Modern eclectic interior design is a decorating approach that blends different styles, colours, textures and eras to create a space that feels personal, layered and lived in. Rather than following strict rules, eclectic interiors focus on character, individuality and a mix and match mindset.

My home has an eclectic feel because it mixes original period features with modern colour and playful pieces. I’ve always believed homes shouldn’t feel like a showroom - they should feel like a reflection of the people living in them. Here are my six top tips for embracing an eclectic style.

Blind being fitted above a tall window in a characterful living space, with ornate cornicing, plants and a decorative mirror framing the area.

1. Find your inspiration

I’m inspired by places as much as interiors. Travel, markets, antique shops and even restaurants can spark ideas for mixing styles, and I love noticing how different textures, colours and eras are combined in unexpected ways. Every object has a story - whether that’s a vintage find, something inherited, a holiday purchase, or a new piece that just makes you smile. Your biggest inspiration should come from within; whatever sparks joy has a place in your home.

A pair of windows with Honeycomb blinds bringing light into a patterned kitchen with green cabinets and wooden worktops.

2. Try dopamine décor

Colour and character are the two things I’m always drawn to. My style is what people now call ‘dopamine décor’. In my home, that means pairing stained glass doors and original tiles with pink walls, colourful art and playful accessories. Eclectic interiors give you permission to follow instinct rather than rules, which suits me perfectly. If something makes me happy every time I see it, then it belongs in my home.

A disco ball covers a bay window, with hanging plants and frosted glass creating a cosy, leafy corner.

3. Mix and match

One of my favourite combinations is period features with very contemporary colour. Edwardian homes often have beautiful proportions and details, and bold modern colours can highlight those features rather than compete with them. Another combination I love is mixing traditional furniture with more playful decorative pieces like disco balls, colourful prints or quirky ornaments, which keeps a space feeling relaxed and personal rather than overly formal.

A small window with a striped Roman blind sits beside a dark fireplace, surrounded by plants and eclectic décor.

4. Evolve your style

Eclectic interiors work beautifully when you mix older pieces with new ones, so there’s no need to buy everything at once. Rearranging furniture, changing colours or introducing second-hand finds can completely transform a room. Charity shops, vintage markets and online resale sites are brilliant places to find pieces with personality. Start small and build gradually - eclectic style evolves naturally and grows with you.

A window with a Pleated blind brings light into a kitchen corner lined with green cabinets, open shelving and stacked pottery.

5. Show your windows some love

Window treatments are such an important part of a room because they frame the space and help tie everything together. In my kitchen I’ve gone for pink Duette® blinds, which add colour while still feeling practical and soft in the space. Blinds or curtains work best in eclectic interiors when they echo the colours or textures already in the room rather than competing with them. They’re an easy way to introduce another layer of pattern or colour that helps connect the whole space.

6. Find your balance

The key to keeping eclectic interiors balanced is always colour. Even when I’m mixing lots of styles, I try to keep a colour thread running through the room, which helps everything feel cohesive rather than chaotic. Blinds or coloured shutters can play a helpful role here. In my living room, the Roman blinds help anchor the palette, so the mix of vintage and new, colour and pattern still feels pulled together.

Embracing the eclectic

Eclectic interiors are really about personality. It’s when colour, texture, eras and objects all come together in a way that feels joyful rather than overly styled. There’s something comforting about a home that feels lived in and layered. Eclectic design embraces imperfection - it allows your home to evolve over time rather than striving for a perfectly finished look.

Quiz – how eclectic is your style?

When decorating a room, what’s your first instinct?
a) Pick a neutral palette and build slowly
b) Start with one bold piece
c) Mix colours, textures and eras straight away
How do you feel about patterned interiors?
a) I prefer subtle patterns or none at all
b) I like a statement pattern
c) The more, the merrier - layer them up!
Your ideal home accessory is:
a) A timeless vase or classic lamp
b) A colourful print or quirky cushion
c) A disco ball, vintage find or bold artwork
When shopping for your home, you usually:
a) Buy matching sets
b) Mix high street with the occasional vintage piece
c) Hunt charity shops, markets and online resale sites

Results:

Mostly As - Soft Eclectic
You like things calm, cohesive and considered. You appreciate character, but you prefer subtle touches over bold statements. Think gentle contrasts, meaningful objects and a few playful accents.
Mostly Bs - Confident Eclectic
You’re naturally drawn to colour, pattern and personality. You enjoy mixing styles without overthinking it and you’re happy to blend new pieces with vintage finds. Your home tells a story.
Mostly Cs - Eclectic Maximalist
You’re instinct-led, bold and expressive. You love mixing eras, colours, textures and decorative pieces - and the more personality, the better. Your home is a joyful, curated chaos in the best possible way.
Mixed answers - Balanced Eclectic
You enjoy personality and colour, but you also like a sense of balance. You might prefer one bold moment per room, or a few standout pieces mixed with calmer foundations. You know how to blend playful and practical in a way that feels effortlessly cohesive.

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