How to Mix Frames in Eclectic Developer

Determine the focal point in your room by selecting the one area of your room that you want every visitor’s eyes to move to upon entering. Your focal point may be a picture, but it could also be an area or a piece of furniture. For instance, if you decide your focal point will be your fireplace, you know to make frame choices that will accentuate your fireplace and help draw visitor’s attention to the fireplace.

Select frames that are proportional and similar in size and shape. Use collage matting for photograph collections, or thick matting for smaller photographs in larger frames, but keep the general size and shape of your picture frames consistent in your room. As an example, if you use a picture frame twice the size of other frames, your eyes will be drawn to that frame, pulling attention away from the central focus of your room.

Choose frames to demonstrate your color palette. Use careful variations on your color palette, such as using varied wood colored frame in a room with a green and brown, natural, color palette to highlight the natural feeling of the room. In an eclectic design, each piece does not need to fit your specific color palette exactly, but each piece should carry a central theme. For instance, if you use an antique theme in a room, use antiqued metal picture frames to highlight the theme but provide an eclectic feel by using different kinds of metal frames.

Decorate your space on a neutral framework, using soft, single tone walls and flooring. Use these neutral tones as the base for your design, allowing you to change elements, add new picture frames or move frames in the room as you wish. Avoid bright, or busy, wall colors, as these can force your future design elements into a strong color theme, which can contrast with your eclectic design.