How to Decorate to Thrift the Look: Eclectic Decor

What does eclectic style mean? How can you thrift eclectic style? Here’s how to enjoy eclectic decor with thrifted finds

What is eclectic style? Good question. Today we’re going to explore this style of decorating and see how you can achieve it for yourself with thrifted finds. Hope you enjoy How to Decorate to Thrift the Look: Eclectic Decor.

I’m delving into Eclectic decor today with a few very creative friends. Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods brainstormed our “Thrift the Look” series, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know quite a few different design styles. Of course, our goal is to achieve these looks with thrifted, inexpensive finds!

Thrift the Look Series:

“How to Decorate to Thrift the Look, Garden-Inspired Decor”

“How to Decorate to Thrift the Look, Winter Cabin Style”

“How to Decorate to Thrift the Look, Vintage Boho Style”

“How to Decorate to Thrift the Look, Vintage Lakehouse”

What Does Eclectic Style Mean?

First, let’s try to define what eclectic style means. In it’s article How to Decorate in Eclectic Style, The Spruce.com says eclectic style is “a bit of everything”. The key is to mix and match a wide variety of elements for a cohesive look. Sound a little intimidating?

Here are some elements to include for an eclectic vibe:

• Color saturated accessories and furniture
• Plain walls (so the design accessories can shine)
• Art
• Plants
• Global, well-traveled elements
• Many eras
• Mix of old and new

Usually for our Thrift the Look challenge, we’re supposed to choose a photo as our inspiration. This time around, I couldn’t choose just one. To bring an eclectic vibe to our bathroom, (“Vintage Modern Bathroom Remodel“) I gathered ideas from DigsDigs.com’s “25 Eclectic Bathrooms That Really Inspire”.

Here’s how I decorated our bathroom in eclectic decor with thrifted, inexpensive finds!

How to Decorate to Thrift the Look: Eclectic Decor

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Start the Look with Art

Choosing the art you’re going to use is a great starting point. It will help you create a color scheme. Gather the large art and accessories you’re going to use first. Thrift shops are great places to find your anchor pieces.

Everything I own is basically thifted, so I just shop my basement;) Here’s what I came up with and where I got it.

• dog paint by number-curbside pile (it is from a set of 3)
• birch tree needlepoint-church sale…I think?
• wooden decorative plate-college trip to Poland
• wood lath runner-the bathroom walls (“Repurposed Wood Lath Runner”)
• decorative tray-Target dollar spot

Refresh and Revive Thrifted Items

Many times when you get something inexpensively, or free, it needs a little work. The dog paint by number frame was too large for where I wanted it, so I removed the handmade frame. Gotta love when you find a personal note with these finds.

The painting was also a little dirty; I found it in a huge curbside pile {“Curbside Junking Vintage Finds (best ever)}. To brighten it a bit, I wiped it with a wet paper towel and Bon Ami, a mild abrasive. There was a stain line around the painting; it must have been popped in the handmade frame before the stain was dry. I could cut it off, but I like the character.

Choose A Color Scheme

You can see the color scheme developing with these foundational pieces. The bathroom walls are silver blue. I want to introduce an early Spring vibe. Blues and greens are the anchor colors, but I also want to bring in the orange and soft yellow.

Create Vignettes and Add Small Accessories

Time to start styling! The bathroom is small; a great place to experiment with a new design style. I placed the foundational items on the shelves above the toilet. I shopped the basement for smaller accessories in the color scheme.

Add accessories with different textures:

• Aqua glass bottles-from thrift stores and estate sales
• brown clay bottles-bought from a picker
• orange garage tins-estate sale
• large green flower frog-church sale
• black lantern-just picked up thrifting

Add Plants and Foliage for Texture

Eclectic style embraces the boho look, which features plenty of plants. Playing off the tree needlepoint, I wanted wispy foliage, like Spring trees budding out. My foliage choices almost have an asian flair, bringing in that global vibe.

A green handmade pottery vase (last week’s thrifting find) was filled with bamboo sticks and a wispy branch. I made a faux terrarium from an old glass cheese holder; stones, lichen, and faux succulents are a flashback to the 70’s. Remember…incorporate items from many eras.

You Can’t Thrift Everything

I had so much fun pulling this look together, but I felt like it needed a rug for some organic texture. And a couple new towels to amp up the color. Bath towels and rugs aren’t a thrift store find; unfortunately you can’t thrift everything. A trip to Homegoods later, and the whole room came together1

Did I mention that the vanity was from a garage sale, too? {“How to Repurpose a Vintage Buffet into a Bathroom Vanity”}. The little orange stool added that pop of orange I was wanting. Think it came from a curbside pile.

I had way too much fun pulling this thrifted eclectic look together! It’s a fun decorating style to try in a smaller room, and then graduate to a larger if you like. A great way to use your vintage finds, combined with some new-to-you finds.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of the Thrifty Style Team ladies came up with!

If you love vintage, join our Facebook group, Creative Vintage Darlings!

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Thrift the Look: Eclectic Decor

Sadie Seasongoods | Vin’yet Etc.

One House 2 Barns | Little Vintage Cottage

Lora Bloomquist | Join “Creative Vintage Darlings” on Facebook!

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