36 Eclectic Kitchens to Create a Lively and Charming Cooking Space

An eclectic kitchen incorporates a variety of design styles, patterns, textures, and colors for a lived-in and collected feel. It embraces unique decor, unexpected color combinations, and pairing the old with the new for a layered space that's filled with character.

The style is warm and welcoming, and perfectly suited for the heart of your home. It invites you to add personality by displaying a favorite collection of dishes on open shelves and injecting an organic element with potted plants on window sills and in hanging planters.

For practical tips and design tricks for infusing your kitchen with this inviting style, browse this collection of eclectic kitchens for a lively cooking space.

Colorful Wallpaper

Install colorful wallpaper to liven up your kitchen and introduce a bold pattern. To maximize its impact, replace upper cabinets with open shelves so that more of the wallpaper is exposed.

Statement Pendant Lights

Hang statement pendant lights that add character and introduce an interesting shape and contrasting material. Oversized pendants are a great addition to an eclectic kitchen and a clever design trick for turning the island into a focal point.

Vintage Rug

Channel eclectic style in your kitchen by mixing the old with the new and pairing modern cabinetry with a vintage rug. It's an unexpected alternative to a traditional kitchen mat that dresses the space up and adds a lived-in feel.

Rich Wood Tones

Warm up your kitchen with rich wood tones through shelving, a butcher block countertop, or a collection of rustic bread boards. The natural material brings in an organic element, is neutral enough to work with every color palette, and is timeless for longterm appeal.

Geometric Wall Tile

Layering is an essential characteristic of an eclectic kitchen and a geometric wall tile makes for an eye-catching base layer for wall sconces, open shelves, kitchenware, potted plants, and decor.

Mixed Patterns

Avoid a matchy-matchy look when designing an eclectic kitchen and layer mixed patterns for a collected aesthetic. When choosing what patterns to pair together, consider their style, color, and scale to maintain visual balance.

Unique Wall Decor

Incorporate unique wall decor such as this antique-style mirror in your kitchen for an unexpected decorative detail that adds a personal touch. It helps bounce light around in this small kitchen while mixing antique and modern elements for an eclectic design.

Wallpapered Cabinet Interior

Wallpaper the interiors of kitchen cabinets for a fun surprise and a more subtle way to incorporate a bold pattern. Pull one of the wallpaper colors and use it on the cabinets or surrounding walls for a custom touch.

Interesting Tile Arrangement

Put an eclectic spin on your kitchen backsplash with an interesting tile arrangement. Take a classic design element such as subway tile and instead of a traditional horizontal arrangement, stack it vertically.

Displayed Collections

Embrace eclectic style and display a collection of pottery or glassware on open shelves. It gives the kitchen a thoughtfully curated and collected-over-time look while adding a decorative touch, pops of color, and personalizing the space.

Leaning Artwork

Artwork plays a significant role in eclectic style, and instead of just hanging pictures on the walls, lean a framed piece on the countertop. It helps merge the aesthetic and practical nature of a kitchen and is a great way to break up a backsplash pattern and anchor a countertop corner.

Unexpected Color Scheme

Use an unexpected color scheme to set an eclectic backdrop for kitchenware, plants, and decor. Introduce colors through kitchen cabinets, backsplash, walls, and flooring, then incorporate neutral tones through metals, whether through cabinet hardware, sink fixtures, or lighting.

Open Shelving

Open shelving creates a light and airy feel, allows a statement wall tile to stand out, and provides a practical and decorative surface for everyday dishes and unique personal collections.

Potted Plants

Bring in plants to liven up the kitchen in an organic way. Get creative with how you incorporate them into the space—place potted plants on an open shelf or window sill, use a tall plant to fill an empty corner, and hang trailing plants from the ceiling for variety.

Multiple Sources of Light

Cozy up your eclectic kitchen with multiple sources of light instead of a single harsh overhead light. Hang pendant lights above an island, prop up a small table lamp that doubles as a decorative accent on open shelves, and bring in stylish candleholders to provide soft, ambient lighting.

Industrial Touches

An eclectic space embraces a variety of design aesthetics and gives your kitchen a utilitarian edge by incorporating industrial touches and salvaged items.

In this charming kitchen, industrial-style pendants illuminate the butcher block topped island, an oversized clock adds a warehouse-inspired accent, and reclaimed wood letters warm up the dining area.

Mixed Metals

Don't be afraid of mixing metals and finishes in your kitchen. Layer up to three different metals and incorporate some in a polished and others in a matte or brushed finish for added visual interest.

Exposed Brick Wall

An exposed brick wall sets a warm and informal tone for an eclectic kitchen. Juxtapose the rusty-red wall with live potted greenery for an organic touch and an elegant crystal chandelier for a cool mix of styles, materials, and textures.

Jungle-Themed Wallpaper

Bring in color, animal prints, and bold patterns through a jungle-themed wallpaper. Use it to highlight and elevate a kitchen feature such as this stylish wet bar, and keep the cabinetry and shelf design simple and streamlined to balance out the busy wall covering.

Eclectic Gallery Wall

For instant character and a clever way to fill an empty kitchen wall that can't accommodate cabinets or a bulky piece of furniture, hang an eclectic gallery wall. Assemble artwork of different sizes and styles, incorporating both modern and antique-style pieces for a timeless look.

Neon Sign

Juxtapose a sophisticated marble countertop with a funky neon wall sign. Eclectic style often includes a fun, lighthearted element that personalizes a space and balances out the more formal room features.

Retro Appliances

Not only do eclectic spaces mix design styles, they incorporate pieces from various eras. Combine this stylistic element with practicality through a retro-style appliance, such as this statement-making black fridge.

Unique Cabinet Hardware

One of the easiest, cheapest, yet most impactful ways to layer your eclectic kitchen with visual interest is through cabinet hardware. Switch out generic cabinet knobs and pulls for unique hardware that instantly elevates the space and gives builder-grade cabinets a custom appearance.

Decorated Window Sill

Take advantage of a deep window sill and turn it into a display surface for potted plants that benefit from direct sunlight. They'll liven up the cooking space and provide contrast to bold colors and vintage elements for a perfectly eclectic blend of old and new.

Rattan Accents

Rattan brings in a textured material that exudes warmth and coziness. It has a timeless appeal that works well in an eclectic kitchen and is easy to incorporate through counter stools, a storage cart, wall baskets, or pendant lights.

Flea Market Finds

Nestle prized flea market finds such as a cool bust or a vintage salt and pepper shaker set in with functional kitchen items on open shelves and countertops for a time-worn quality and character. Complete the vignette by adding height with a framed piece of art and incorporating a kitchen-themed item such as a utensil crock.

Three-Dimensional Wall Decor

Besides mixing art styles and frame colors, bring a three-dimensional edge to an eclectic kitchen gallery wall with wall-mounted planters. Fill them with either real or artificial trailing plants to add depth, dimension, and an unexpected gallery wall component.

Bright Colors

Jazz up your kitchen with bright colors. If you want to experiment with bold shades but want to avoid painting the cabinets, turn to kitchen seating instead.

Install a colorful banquette and accessorize it with fun throw pillows, or for a non-permanent and renter-friendly option, bring in bright colors through upholstered chairs, a vibrant tablecloth, and a vivid-toned rug.

Pink Accents

Pink is a timeless shade that's perfectly suited for an eclectic kitchen. Here, a soft pink hue adds a retro touch when paired with a mid-century modern brass ceiling light and modern white cabinetry.

Open Floor Plan

If your kitchen is part of an open floor plan, continue the eclectic aesthetic into the rest of the living space for visual continuity. Repeat colors, materials, and textures for a cohesive look so that the kitchen's eclectic style feels fully incorporated instead of out of place.

Eye-Catching Floor Tile

Flooring provides an opportunity to lay down an interesting base to build upon with cabinets, seating, and rugs. Take a dramatic approach with bold-colored floor tile and an eye-catching arrangement that instantly draws the eyes.

Fun Textiles

Textiles are a great vehicle for incorporating a soft texture and fun print into an eclectic kitchen. Place colorful throw pillows on a kitchen window seat, reupholster old counter stools with a piece of funky fabric, or layer an eat-in kitchen table with a patterned tablecloth and some fun fabric napkins.

Creative Storage Solutions

Find creative storage solutions and repurpose things like old wood crates to hold everyday kitchen items. They'll keep the space clutter-free while adding a casual, rustic touch.

Stylish Kitchen Island Seating

Elevate your kitchen with stylish kitchen island seating. If the space has predominantly linear features, create contrast with curved counter stools that soften the straight lines and introduce a different shape.

Whimsical Touches

Infuse humor into your eclectic kitchen and lighten the visual mood with whimsical touches such as this adorable framed cat image. Seamlessly blend in a playful photo by printing it in a black and white version and matching its frame with surrounding artwork.

Shelves Organized by Color

Organize open shelves by color for a fun rainbow-inspired effect. In this eclectic kitchen, colorful glassware livens up the neutral wall color and solid wood shelves and creates a mixed-and-matched aesthetic that's characteristic of eclectic style.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.