Eclectic kitchens are unconcerned with trends and design rules. Instead they blend a mishmash of colors, textures, patterns, design styles, and accessories to create a personal, inviting, and signature look.
Decorated with everything from thrifted decor to vintage furniture, retro wall coverings and light fixtures, and bold mixtures of paint, wallpaper, and patterned tile, these one-of-a-kind spaces are layered with texture and feel collected over time.
Check out these eclectic kitchen ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.
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01
of 36Style Open Shelving
Paint walls and open kitchen shelving in a bold and unapologetic shade of yellow to create a backdrop for practical and decorative objects. Then style the wall with a collection of vintage art and objects for a timeless and eclectic feel.
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02
of 36Create Bold Contrasts
Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Stephen Karlisch
Rather than aiming for a streamlined look, finish your kitchen decor with a high-contrast mix of colors and patterns. This eclectic eat-in kitchen combines green marbled wallpaper with a tomato red leather banquette, a vintage pendant light, and bold geometric flooring.
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03
of 36Wallpaper the Ceiling
Design by Blessed Little Bungalow / Marc Mauldin Photography Inc.
Wallpaper the ceiling to give a small kitchen an eclectic feel. Then paint cabinets in a refreshing shade of blue, lay down a vintage patterned runner rug, and turn the island into a focal point with pink and gold bar stools and a pair of pendant lights for a modern and joyful mix.
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04
of 36Include Unexpected Textures
Design by Jenna Wedemeyer of Schnabel Interiors / Jill Buckner Photography
While many eclectic kitchens have a maximalist bent, you don’t have to load up on decor objects to create an eclectic feel. Focus on incorporating unexpected textures like a pair of upholstered stools, a hand-carved fruit bowl, woven pendant lights, and colorful patterned tile to ensure your kitchen is unique and personal.
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05
of 36Customize the Kitchen Island
Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Nathan Schroder
Trade a standard rectangular kitchen island for something more custom to give a luxury space an eclectic feel. A bright yellow carved base and oval stone top gives this original island design plenty of attitude and style that complements patterned stone flooring and gilded wallpaper.
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06
of 36Combine Clashing Finishes
Give your kitchen an improvised feel with purposefully clashing finishes. This space combines pink wall paint, tropical wallpaper, a modern geometric backsplash, and a traditional black-and-white checkerboard floor for an eclectic look.
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07
of 36Layer Light Fixtures
Give your space an eclectic feel by mixing and matching kitchen lighting fixtures. Pairing an antique crystal chandelier with industrial exposed Edison bulb sconces will add character to the kitchen in an older home that includes a period fireplace, stained wood cabinetry, aged copper countertops, and powder blue walls and cabinets.
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08
of 36Decorate With Thrifted Art
Design by Hub of the House Studio / Karyn Millet Photography
Skip upper cabinetry and decorate the walls with thrifted art for an eclectic look. Focus on landscapes, seascapes, vintage portraits, or anything that captures your imagination.
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09
of 36Mix Periods and Styles
Mix periods and styles of furniture, lighting fixtures, and decor to create an eclectic look. This eccentric Swedish countryside kitchen mixes a bold palette of primary red, blue, and yellow with antique furniture and lighting and open shelving lined with colorful kitchenware for a homey feel.
Use Unexpected Colors
An easy way to make any kitchen feel more eclectic is to introduce unexpected colors. Start by choosing a colorful fridge or range in a bold shade and go from there.
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10
of 36Add a Lounge Space
Design by Big Chill x Old Brand New
Decorate a one-wall kitchen with a mix of pink and green paint and black-and-white geometric backsplash tiles. Then set up a lounge space with a vibrant turmeric colored velvet sofa, layered rugs, woven accents, and plants for a colorful and eclectic boho-style space.
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11
of 36Build a Display Wall
Dijana Savic-Jambert of MAREDI Design / Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis
Give your eclectic kitchen a curated feel with a purpose-built display wall. Paint it in a vibrant color and fill it with souvenirs, decor objects, books, plants, photos, or anything else that strikes your fancy to give the room a lived-in feel.
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12
of 36Choose Statement Lighting
Design by James Yarosh / Photo by Patricia Burke
Choose a statement pendant light that is both functional and eye-catching. Pair it with geometric backsplash tile, patterned cabinet panels, a colorful runner rug, and a custom island.
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13
of 36Create a Custom Palette
Create a custom kitchen color scheme for an eclectic look. This space mixes salmon, mustard, and forest green paint and tile on walls and cabinets that complements open shelving styled with colorful dishware and cookbooks.
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14
of 36Display a Sculpture
Decorate your kitchen with art and sculpture for a curated feel. From a bust on a plinth to a gallery wall, this London space is full of personality and interest that reflects the taste of its inhabitants rather than following trends.
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15
of 36Hang Whimsical Wallpaper
Hang colorful patterned or illustrated kitchen wallpaper to give your space an eclectic identity. Build on the look by hanging open shelving on an adjacent wall for displaying cookbooks and kitchenware.
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16
of 36Choose a Bold Area Rug
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Caitlin Mogridge
Give an open-plan kitchen and dining room an eccentric feel with a colorful patterned area rug. Hang a collection of pendants over a midcentury modern dining set and add a black accent wall to complement reclaimed wood cabinetry and painted brick for an eclectic mix of old and new.
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17
of 36Try a Bold Color Pairing
Pair bright and unexpected kitchen colors that make a change from your standard white kitchen. This space mixes shades of green tile with bold pink painted cabinetry, with an antique chandelier hanging from the ceiling as a final flourish.
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18
of 36Showcase Favorite Objects
Design by James Yarosh / Photo by Patricia Burke
Highlight eclectic decor objects by showcasing them in custom lighted displays. A row of backlit cubbies draws the eye upward to create a focal point in this bright contemporary kitchen.
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19
of 36Furnish With Antiques
Channel your imaginary eccentric aunt and decorate a cottage kitchen full of eclectic charm. Hang a lace panel in the kitchen window and add a fringed pendant lampshade, an antique kitchen table layered with tablecloths, and an upholstered armchair to create a cozy space with a sense of history.
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20
of 36Riff on a Theme
Eclectic kitchens often include clashing elements, but you can cultivate an eclectic feel by riffing on a theme. This mountain home kitchen is decorated with illustrated birch tree wallpaper, framed wildlife art, and dramatic black and white finishes for a neutral but eclectic look.
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21
of 36Display Mismatched China
Rather than buying a matching set, fill a china cabinet display with mismatched and colorful dishware, glassware, and serving pieces. Paint or wallpaper the back of the cabinet for added color and interest.
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22
of 36Choose Colorful Essentials
Style open shelving with kitchen essentials and decor in a range of colors and styles. Maintain an uncluttered feel by confining everything from glassware to candlesticks, books, and serving vessels to a single wall.
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23
of 36Create a Vintage Feel
Create a vintage bistro feel by decorating your eat-in kitchen with a retro wallpaper pattern in earthy shades of green and rust. Complement with mismatched vintage pendant lighting and sconces, patterned curtains, an upholstered banquette, and French rattan bar stools.
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24
of 36Choose a Bold Backsplash
Design by James Yarosh / Photo by Patricia Burke
Install a bold kitchen backsplash to add an element of eclecticism to a modern kitchen. This space features a multicolored patterned tile that complements dark wood, stainless steel appliances, and coral paint and wallpaper.
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25
of 36Pair Bold Tile and Wallpaper
Create an eccentric feature wall in a modern kitchen by mixing both tile and wallpaper. Choose a memorably mismatched pairing to give your space a playful and distinct look.
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26
of 36Highlight Eclectic Objects
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Nicole Franzen
Intersperse stacks of dishes, bowls, and glasses on kitchen shelving with small design objects. Choose an organizing principle like busts of historic figures in neutral tones to match your space for a cohesive look.
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27
of 36Mix Tile Styles
Give your kitchen an eclectic design by mixing tile styles and patterns. This space pairs vertical stack mustard-colored handmade tiles with bold terrazzo countertops on the island for a purposefully mismatched and effortless effect.
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28
of 36Choose Midcentury Pieces
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Kasia Fiszer
Midcentury modern kitchens can be clean and minimalist or eclectic and full of kitschy touches. Source a 1950s kitchen cupboard painted in a retro shade of mint or sea foam green to anchor your space, then furnish with a wooden mobile bar cart, Saarinen table, tropical prints, and plenty of greenery.
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29
of 36Style Open Shelving
Give your kitchen coffee station an eclectic feel by displaying quirky decor. A collection of decorative plates occupy the top shelf in this London space to add personality to an otherwise streamlined kitchen.
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30
of 36Repurpose a Vintage Dresser
Repurpose a vintage dresser in place of standard cabinetry for an eccentric English country house feel. Paint it and fit the top with a vintage piece of marble and hang some whimsical food-themed art on the wall above.
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31
of 36Accent With Bold Colors
Design by Maya Thonney of L’Agencerie / Photo by HauteXposure
Make a minimalist kitchen feel more eclectic with bright and assertive color accents. This space pairs shades of green, yellow, and coral in an otherwise neutral space to add personality with a few expressive strokes.
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32
of 36Style With Thrifted Decor
Scour your favorite thrift shop or flea market for affordable decor finds that will add character to a rental kitchen. Trade standard countertops for a drop-leaf table, hang a vintage map on the wall, and create a cozy dining spot with a tiled bistro table and metal chair.
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33
of 36Blend Old and New
Blend old and new fixtures and finishes to create a collected feel. This space combines heavily veined stone, thrift store art, an antique chandelier, modern wavy-backed bar stools, and a plaid window shade to add character to a spacious kitchen.
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34
of 36Keep It Monochrome
Design by James Yarosh / Photo by Patricia Burke
You can create an eclectic feel while sticking to a monochromatic palette. Just be sure to vary multiple shades of the same color and incorporate it in everything from paint to decor objects.
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35
of 36Try a Thrifted Kitchen Island
For a small kitchen island with an eclectic feel, repurpose a vintage or antique wood cabinet. Complement stained wood with brown trim on windows and base cabinets, finish walls in a mix of paint, wallpaper, and vertical shiplap, and contrast with a modern pendant light.
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36
of 36Blend Industrial With Art
Make a modern kitchen feel more eclectic by blending industrial elements with a mix of art and objects. This eat-in kitchen combines large-scale color photography with square wall tiles, industrial furniture, and shelves styled with art and objects to complement the New York City loft setting.