How to showcase your personal style with an eclectic kitchen

Variety is a key component in an eclectic kitchen design, so be sure to blend textures. Try to think of textures you love that harmonise well despite being opposites. Smooth materials will make for an interesting contrast against rougher ones. Think metal hardware against wood-grain units and matt finishes paired with glossy surfaces.

Remember to mix the soft with the rigid too. A rug will help to offset hardier pieces such as concrete-style units. Try to use the same key textures throughout your theme but in different ways to create flow. For example, you might choose to use metals through your splashback, lighting and kitchen island worktop, and wood for your kitchen units, stools and flooring.

Seeing as eclecticism is all about putting your personality in the spotlight, now’s the time to get daring with your décor. The sky’s the limit. You could choose bold patterned tiles and vibrant coloured units to showcase your outgoing personality. Or maybe you have a laid-back temperament and prefer minimal designs in eye-catching textures and tones? Choose whatever suits your tastes when creating your eclectic kitchen decor.

You could even highlight your personality by incorporating a show-stopping appliance e.g. a bright coloured fridge or an all-black oven. If you’ve got a small kitchen, this is a simple way to master the eclectic look as you might not have the space to include lots of different elements.

Open shelving is another defining feature of an eclectic kitchen and is an easy way to add a personalised feel. Plus, it means you no longer have to hide away all your prized crockery. You can finally show off those precious cups, plates and ornaments you’ve been collecting over the years. It doesn’t matter if they clash, but try to organise them in some sort of order to create cohesion.

Don’t forget to have a main focal point in your eclectic kitchen design. Even though it’s common for an eclectic space to have a lot going on elsewhere, the room should still have focus to prevent the other features from battling for your attention. Make a statement with a striking kitchen island that commands presence.

To truly reflect the eclectic look, you could use assorted materials throughout the island design to make it stand out e.g. a bronze tap, a quartz work surface, solid wood units etc. Or, try transforming a minimal-looking kitchen island into a stunning centrepiece by adding a selection of stools in varying shapes, heights or colours. The same design technique can be applied with table and chairs.

Oversized lighting is another stylish way to draw the eye and can be used to accent a table, kitchen island or sink area. For the added wow factor, opt for a striking splashback that packs a punch – copper metallics look especially good against kitchen walls. An accent worktop or an elegant cooker hood will work equally well in providing alluring eye candy.

Adding big splashes of colour is a really easy way to pull off an eclectic kitchen look that matches your personal style. Think about all of your favourite colours you love to wear and bring them into the theme. If you decide to make colour the main star of your new layout, we’d suggest sticking to a maximum of three shades to ensure balance. Otherwise, your kitchen runs the risk of looking like a busy mishmash, rather than eclectic.

If you’re hoping to achieve an eclectic look that combines conflicting colours, it’s worth having a common thread running through all of the different hues to create unity. It could be a certain shape, texture or style e.g. farmhouse, contemporary, classic etc.

You could even just stick to one bold colour to anchor your look. If you decide to go down this route, create some consistency by repeating the colour several times throughout the design. It might be that you choose your kitchen island, splashback and dining table all in the same shade. Another option could be to coordinate the bold colours you use and vary up the textures of the kitchen designs instead.

Marrying your favourite time periods together will capture the eclectic kitchen aesthetic perfectly and will give a nod to your individual tastes, too. The trick here is to not overload your kitchen with lots of styles. Just like the rules of colour and texture, stick to three eras tops.

In terms of looks, we love the idea of a shaker style kitchen with industrial pendants that look like they’ve been borrowed from the past. A retro fridge with a period-style country kitchen is another on-trend way to merge two different eras together. Or, you could try contrasting the old with the new by pairing minimalist granite worktops with wooden units. Exposed brickwork can add a sense of history and will work well when combined with a modern kitchen design. We’ve listed some of the era combinations that work well together, below:

• Modern Scandinavian with art deco
• Period style with industrial
• Farmhouse with contemporary

Eclectic kitchens are no easy feat to pull off, but when done well, the result is a truly bespoke look that showcases you. Now we’ve supplied you with a wealth of ideas, hopefully creating your eclectic kitchen will seem pretty straight forward. Interested in seeing what your eclectic kitchen could look like? Use our kitchen planner to visualise your dream layout. Or, book an appointment at a showroom near you.