How to Balance Contemporary Designs With an Eclectic Style
by Evelyn Long
Although you might want to keep up with modern trends, it's important to infuse your personality and tastes when making a house a home. In 2025, design experts predict people will veer from the ultraclean, minimalist aesthetic and lean into a more exhilarating eclectic style.
Does this mean you must compromise your home's airiness and functionality for something overwhelming? Not in the least. In fact, you can achieve well-balanced modernism and whimsy for a captivatingly bold and serene interior.
Why Blend Contemporary and Eclectic Designs?
There are several reasons why you might choose to mix contemporary and eclectic design into your dwelling. For one thing, blending the styles lets you highlight your unique character and creativity. Following today's contemporary trends may make the space look and feel generic. Instead, you can curate unique and timeless pieces to make your interiors stand out.
For example, lifestyle expert and fashion designer Peter Som suggests undoing the cookie-cutter white kitchen. Creative touches like a small picture against the backsplash, personalized appliances, heirlooms and an assortment of knobs offer interest and a bit of quirkiness. These elements are also easy to switch out if necessary.
Likewise, you may have more than one design preference. Combining current and eclectic styles delivers versatility, giving you more elements and colors to work with while keeping a contemporary foundation. When tying the elements together thoughtfully, your space will go from predictable to dynamic.
Today's Contemporary Home Interiors
Contemporary interior design creates a sleek, simple and uncluttered home. This style often includes open floor plans, sophisticated living, natural light, organic materials, geometric shapes and the essence of spaciousness.
According to designer Jonathan Adler — whose home decor products are greatly influenced by midcentury modern — contemporary design eliminates excessive ornamentation and emphasizes a core visual statement.
Shape and materials will stand out in a contemporary household. Many modern homes feature a neutral color palette and straight lines for a crisp, clean look. Some also have elements from industrial or farmhouse styles, like natural wood, metal or shiplap.
A Personal Touch With Eclectic Elements
Throw out the rulebook when approaching an eclectic style. This flexible design utilizes personal touches to represent you best. For instance, you could combine the following elements:
Midcentury modern console with global-inspired accessories, such as tribal-patterned rugs, Moroccan lanterns or ethnic bowls
Industrial dining table with bohemian chairs and rattan pendant lighting
Modern gallery wall with a bold Persian rug
Sleek, modern kitchen cabinetry with a retro refrigerator and stovetop
Glass, wood and metal materials with different fabrics for textural interest
Other diverse elements for your contemporary home design include family heirlooms, antique pieces, personal artifacts and collectibles, and repurposed and one-of-a-kind items.
Tips for Mixing Contemporary and Eclectic Styles
Balancing contemporary and eclectic designs takes time and practice. If you're not careful, you may incorporate too many unique elements, creating an overwhelming space. Here are six helpful tips to seamlessly integrate both interior styles.
1. Start With a Neutral Base
Neutral tones — whites, grays and beiges — are a great starting point when merging contemporary and eclectic aesthetics. Opt for an eggshell or creamy hue for the walls and large furnishings.
A lighter foundation best accommodates miscellaneous items and patterns, allowing them to pop against a more subdued backdrop. Neutrals also make it easier to switch up your design choices later on if your interiors need freshening up.
2. Select Statement Pieces
Once you have a neutral base, consider various statement pieces reflective of your personality. These items should be focal points, drawing the eye to specific areas of the living space.
An antique hutch with dark-stained wood, glass-panel doors and ornate carvings will complement an open living room. It will also give you a safe place to store and showcase your fine china, glassware and keepsakes.
3. Lean Into Artwork
What types of artwork do you prefer — impressionism, abstract, watercolor, oil paintings or pop art? Perhaps you like sculptures, ceramics or photography. Art can create depth and intrigue in a modern living space and may be an excellent conversation starter among visitors.
Suppose you have a contemporary rug pattern on hardwood floors — a vibrant canvas painting in a vintage gold frame can change the entire look and feel of a room.
Gallery walls in eclectic designs are also becoming popular. For example, collages look great on a stairwell. Slowly curate artwork in an assortment of colors and sizes, laying the pieces out unconventionally. You can also stack frames of the same size and color so they appear seamless and organized. Photos of family and friends are a great way to personalize your home.
4. Combine Color and Pattern
Colors and patterns create a powerful statement when infusing eclectic style into contemporary interior design. Present vibrant, bold colors through decorative pillows, throw blankets, rugs, curtain panels or wall coverings.
Do you have a small powder room? Bright floral wallpaper will liven it up and set it apart from the rest of your home. Dramatic patterns and color will also make a contemporary setting more exciting and whimsical.
Design expert Benjamin Edwards likes to include pops of yellow in interiors, which he believes will become trendy in 2025. Founder of Cover Architecture, Yan Wang, also likes how terra cotta and earth tones are being used in creative ways.
Of course, you don't want to include too many of these patterns and colors. Otherwise, your contemporary home will have a more maximalist design.
5. Incorporate Texture and Materials
Diversify textures and materials to integrate the two interior styles seamlessly. For instance, velvet, metal, wood and reflective surfaces deliver visual and sensory richness. Place a mirrored tile centerpiece on a wood coffee table to feature a small vase or other decorative item.
The contrast between glossy and rough textures or soft and hard surfaces will create a more complex design and elevate your home.
6. Display Heirlooms and Collections
Do you collect antique teacups, or have heirlooms passed down from generation to generation? Blending your contemporary style with these treasures allows you to put them on full display without cluttering your home.
Modern built-ins or wooden open shelving are great for placing these items so they're visible but out of the way. Bookcases and sideboards are other options.
Create Seamless Style With Contemporary and Eclectic Interiors
Your home is a haven, so creating a comfortable space you feel good in is essential. Enjoy today's fresh, contemporary interiors with elements you enjoy, whether unique pieces or timeless treasures.
Evelyn Long is the Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes on interior design and home organization content. She is passionate about making home styling easier for all homeowners and renters by writing about home interior trends. Subscribe to renovated.com/subscribe for more posts by Evelyn!
