MAXIMALIST INTERIOR DESIGN: THE ART OF MORE
Photo: Jenna Peffley // AD MAGAZINE
With JOY as the fundamental element, it’s not difficult to see why the maximalist design aesthetic maintains its popularity, year after year. Don’t let the explosion of colors, patterns, and creativity intimidate you — read on to discover how you too can achieve this charming aesthetic.
From treasures discovered in antique markets to souvenirs bought from travel – homes develop their personality and character like every other individual walking this earth, over the years. The time spent inside our homes (due to the pandemic), has inspired people to re-evaluate what matters most to them - from what they love to what they want to be surrounded by.
The history of interiors has always been a pendulum swing of two extremes - minimalism and maximalism. With function over form as its main principle, minimalism is strategically organized, no fuss, no stress, no excess approach to interior design. It is all about clean lines and subdued colors. Maximalism, on the other hand, is the explosion of individualistic creativity. It is the layering of various rich, colorful, textured aesthetics harmoniously occupying a space. Unlike the standardized forms of the various minimalist styles, maximalist interiors are impossible to copy verbatim: it’s their idiosyncrasies that make them what they are.
If you feel inspired to delve into the magpie of eye-catching patterns, statement décor, bursts of saturated colors that is maximalism – here is a guide to help you navigate the maximalist design aesthetic.
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BE FEARLESS
Painting white walls can be quite daunting, especially if it’s your first time! When choosing paint colors, begin with a color you find yourself gravitating towards, makes you smile or appeals to you.
Then as you gain confidence, you can expand the color you just chose into a color scheme. For example, if you chose navy you can add a shade darker or lighter to create a color scheme.
Wallpaper is another great way to decorate your walls, ceiling included. If the space has dark walls, choose a lighter hue for the ceiling so as not to pull too much attention from the rest of the room.
LIMERENCE WALLPAPER MALACHITE AT HOUSE OF HACKNEY FOR $195
FEMCREATIVE ENGLISH ROSES WALLPAPER AT URBAN OUTFITTERS
FOR $159
HOME SILAS REMOVABLE WALL MURAL AT URBAN OUTFITTERS FOR $489
CIRCUS HORIZON RAINBOW
WALLPAPER AT REBEL WALLS FOR $7/SQ FT
BE A MIXOLOGIST
Push yourself outside your comfort zone. Maximalism is, after all, about creating an over-the-top space. How? With colors, shapes, tones, and textures.
So, layering is key! Take everything you love and layer them on multiple surfaces like side tables, furniture, walls, and bookshelves. When mixing patterns (i.e., stripes, geometrics, florals) use one color to connect them together.
Want the room to feel more eclectic? Try mixing furniture from different periods. This will give the impression that the space was put together through the years.
SILHOUETTE MIRROR AT URBAN OUTFITTERS FOR $749
MCQUEEN GLOBE CHANDELIER AT LUXDECO FOR $8,565
IDE PEACOCK TIEBACK AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $48
30-INCH VINTAGE ELEGANT LIGHTING MIRROR AT BUILD FOR $148
MARTINIQUE BY CW STOCKWELL SOFA AT THE INSIDE FOR $2349
VINTAGE CHINEESE AND WESTERN ELEMENTS DESIGN CHAIR AT DAVINRICH FOR $333
LIANG & EIMIL CHAPEL STOOL AT LUXDECO FOR $303
CORAL ZEBRA BY SCALAMDERE AT THE INSIDE FOR $2394
BE A CURATOR OF ART
Dress up the walls of your home with paintings, prints, and illustrations.
Do your children make art in their kindergarten class, too many that they end up in drawers? Show your kids how proud you are of them by hanging them on your walls!
Looking for someplace to store all your designer scarves? Why not enjoy them every day by framing and displaying them on your walls for all to see, adding a unique flare to your walls.
ANDREW MARTIN APPLE GRAFFITI AT OLIVIA’S FOR $153
RAINBOW CHARD PRINT PAINTING
BY ANEK FOR $70
BE A BOOKWORM
Are you a bibliophile? Let your books take center stage.
Fill your shelves to the brim or stack them on any and every table top in the room – wherever you orient them, books give the room character, add a personal touch and make for great conversation starters.
Whether you group your books by color or size, or random arrangement – rest assured they will make any room feel cozy and lived in.
YSL: THE IMPOSSIBLE COLLECTION AT LUXDECO FOR $850
THE ULTIMATE TOWER, BLACK AT LUXDECO FOR $4,350
BE A COLLECTOR
Do you have a passion for traveling? Why not incorporate your favorite past-time into your home decor?
Dig up those souvenirs (and memories) like that snow globe from Switzerland or bottle of sand from the beaches of Hawaii or the Colosseum magnet from Rome for an added personal touch to the space.
Souvenirs say, ‘I was there’, reminding us of the places we’ve been and thanks to Maximalist approach to interior decor you can celebrate these treasured possessions (and memories) everyday.
They are quiet possibly the best kept secret when creating a maximalist aesthetic.
VINTAGE GOLD ORNATE BAROQUE MIRROR AT HOMARY FOR $490
MINDY BROWNES ZANZIBAR LAMP AT OLVIA’S FOR $200
JYLIN VASE AT ANTHROPOLOGY
FOR $88
VINTAGE FRAMES AT REBEL WALLS FOR $6 EACH
BE FLOORED TO EMBELLISH
Don’t forget, floors can be decorated, too! Add unexpected bursts of color with oriental rugs and table cloths. Layer as often as you like to create depth, texture, and adventure to the room.
VELVET TANYA PETITE ACCENT CHAIR AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $598
SEMIKAH TEXTILES MOROCCAN VINTAGE ALIVE RUG AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $3,100
NATALIE LETE EMBROIDERED THROW PILLOWS AT ANTHROPOLOGY FOR $108
VINTAGE HAMADAN AREA RUG AT RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN FOR $270
BE AN EDITOR
Although with the maximalist aesthetic more is always more, editing is key. The space should be beautiful, but at the end of the day it is a home to be lived in and enjoyed. Remember to balance. Every item should shine while also allowing the other pieces in the room to have their moment of glory, too! Decide on one or two items to set the theme and for the eye to focus on when entering the room. Doing so will help avoid the feeling of chaos when attempting to achieve the maximalist aesthetic.