For years, the world became so immersed in minimalist interior design that everybody is quite familiar with it. As minimalism is taking the world by storm, a counter design is slowly emerging from its shadows- the Maximalist style design.
Furthermore, with the onslaught of CoVid, people have been relegated to staying at home more. Who wants to go home to a place devoid of warmth? With the pandemic surging, more people want to be surrounded by elements that mean closeness, warmth, and comfort.
This article discusses what the Maximalist design trend is and the practical applications you can use in your home.
What is the Maximalist Style?
Contrary to what many people think, Maximalism philosophy isn’t about hoarding. While the Maximalist interior design may be a new concept, this design trend has been around for decades. To encapsulate the Maximalist style interior design, think of an Indian home, where there are opulent pillows, layered textures, and chunky furniture.
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It’s about filling your space with things you love. If you’re a risk-taker and don’t care about rules, this design is right up your alley. Maximalism is about expressing the true you and the home decor pieces you love. You now have the freedom to mix that antique brass lamp you found in a thrift store with the mid-century geometric ceramic vase you bought online.
With this style, there is no individual art era you follow- and designers are not even limited to a specific genre. This is a type of interior design that has a very personal touch, highlighted by the multiple layers of colors and textures. Art and functionality as you see, so to speak. It’s rich, artsy, and it’s emotional.
Characteristics of the Maximalist Style
The key characteristics of maximalist design include an abundance of objects, a mix of patterns and textures, and a rich, vibrant color palette. It’s about layering and creating depth, turning each space into a visual feast for the eyes.
There are many ways to identify the Maximalist style home. Here are some.
More Is More
The Maximalist meaning is literally more is more, the opposite spectrum of the minimalism movement that has been going on for the last few years. One can surmise that the Maximalist style takes inspiration from eclectism and Art Nouveau, among others.
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You are allowed to go all out but remember, there must be visual balance. Pair a long table with a chunky sofa. Perhaps a textured lounged chair placed beside a wall full of paintings.
No Rules
There are no hard and fast rules in the Maximalist style as long as it jives, it can be applied. The secret to acing this design is to curate the items you want to add. The eclectic maximalist decor becomes more polished and less chaotic.
Bold Colors and Patterns
Victorian Maximalism is a homage to the Victorian era. With this kind of Maximalist decor, vintage pieces in cheerful colors are often used. Bottom line is, you want to create a happy place with a personal touch.
One distinguishing feature of the Maximalist-designed room is the patterned wallpaper. There are two ways to pull this off. You can either mix two different patterns of the same color or mix two similar patterns of different colors.
A Play in Contrasts
The Maximalist Style plays with colors and textures. The more layers you can think of, the better. Take note, though, you are not hoarding things just to make your room maximalist. The key here is to intentionally find designs and pieces that go well together and make you happy.
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Time Travelling across Several Time Scopes
Maximalism isn’t boxed by one design; it’s the amalgamation of different decor styles. Maximalists aren’t really keen on one genre. Rather, they want to create a personal space that is very individualistic. The mantra is anything goes as long as it is cohesive.
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On Embracing the Maximalist Style
How do you approach this kind of design for your home? Here are some Maximalist decor small spaces tips you can apply in your home.
Start Small
If it’s your first time to create a maximalist look for your room, choose a small nook first. You don’t want to look that space clunky, or find yourself overdoing it. Personally, it’s easy going overboard with this design. Remember to note that maximalism is about adding pieces that make you happy. Try doing it first in the guest room or the bathroom before designing your entire living space.
Don’t collect. Curate.
Don’t pick ou random things. Curate them. Ensure that each piece draws the eye to other pieces. Artworks are great things to curate. Since color plays a big role in the maximalist style design, choose bright artworks. In lieu of paintings, you can opt for retro posters and photos.
Combine Different Textures
Newbies would find combining different fabric textiles a step to creating a maximalist-designed room. Pick duvet and add pillows in various sizes.
Make sure each cushion is made from a unique fabric. Say, one is made of silk, another from faux leather, and one more from velvet. You can also add diverse colors, but with similar prints, just like the one below.
Choose a Cohesive Color Palette
Colors can be overwhelming. To pull off the retro maximalist look without overdoing it, plan your color palette ahead. To be on the safe side, follow the 60-30-10 color guideline. Pick three main colors. Choose one that you’d use 60% of the time, another 30% of the time, and the other 10%.
While you have all the liberty to choose whatever color you prefer, the maximalist design is best viewed when these colors have bolder contrasts. Remember to include one color that brings together the color combinations you added.
Load on More Artwork
Another technique most Maximalists do is to add paintings on walls. We are not talking of just or two to enhance that wall. We are talking about filling the entire wall of paintings of different sizes. Here’s another alternative: Create a mural that covers the entire space of the wall. Make sure that you include several hues of the same color. You can also make sure that these complement each other.
Check out what this room looks like. One side of the room is painted in acrylic with purple, pink, and white accents. But the decor does not stop there. There is still one large portrait hanging on that wall. Look at how it still matches the theme of the entire wall and other pieces in the wall. You can see flowers in pastel pink on a wooden table.
Add Books
Books are a Maximalist’s friend- there isn’t enough to stack. While other design styles would limit the number of books being used, this isn’t true in Maximalism. Paint your bookshelves in bright color and arrange your books however you like. You can also put larger ones on the floor to balance your design. Put them in chairs; place them in varying levels. Or you can build a floor-ceiling shelf and fill it up with books. Remember, the more books, the better.
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Add Eclectic Furniture
Add more flair and drama to your design with unique and one-of-a-kind furniture. You can recolor it to bold color, add gold and other metallic touches and replace boring prints with detailed and colorful fabrics.
Maximalism in the Living Room
You have two options: Go busy or go big. Install patterned wallpaper juxtaposed with an eclectic chair and oversized pillows. Add plants to liven the room. Layer your room.
If you want to go big, lessen the layering and focus on larger pieces. Choose paster or neutral colors for your couches to highlight the large artworks on your wall.
Maximalism in the Bedroom
Creates a statement in the bedroom by highlighting the bed. Add bold, colorful linens. Highlight the headboard by painting it in color-block shades. Add a fancy chandelier for more character.
Maximalism in the Kitchen
People often blur out colors in their kitchens, opting for muted colors. The mantra is often functionality over design. But then again, for the maximalist design, this should not stop you from adding more pizzazz to your kitchen.
Add splashes of red or gold. If you want pastel colors, don’t settle for just one shade or hue. Add at least 3. You can also paint your ceiling in dark colors but match it with your striped wallpaper.
Elements You to Use to Pull Off the Maximalist Design
- Patterned wallpaper
- Decorative Items
- Bold Colors
- Colorful Lamps
- Graphic Carpets
What Is the Greatest Misconception About the Maximalist Style
You can say that the Maximalist style design is excessive. True, it is. But what separates this from overconsumption is every detail is thoughtfully chosen in the Maximalist decor bedroom, or any kind of bedroom for that matter is. Each element holds value and personalization.
You are actually investing in something timeless and treasured forever. Remember, Maximalism is about choosing elements that make you happy.
Maximalist Decor: A Trend or Timeless?
Maximalist decor transcends trends. It’s a reflection of personal taste and history, allowing individuals to showcase their favorite things and memories. This approach to interior design is both timeless and highly personal.
Maximalist Design for Younger Generations
Younger generations are increasingly embracing maximalist design. It offers a means of self-expression and a break from the more restrained minimalist trends. Maximalism allows them to create spaces that are bold, individualistic, and full of life.
Maximalist Spaces: Curating Personal Style
Maximalist spaces are a reflection of personal style. It’s about curating a space that resonates with individual tastes and preferences, creating a unique and intimate environment.
Maximalist Design in 2023: Evolving Trends
In 2023, maximalist design continues to evolve, incorporating modern elements and trends. It’s about blending the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary, to create unique and personalized spaces.
Eclectic Elements in Maximalist Interiors
Maximalist interiors often feature an eclectic mix of furniture, art, and textiles. This eclectic curation is not random but a thoughtful process of combining various elements to create a harmonious, yet dynamic space.
To End
Maximalism, in the context of interior design and art, is an aesthetic of excess and redundancy. It’s characterized by richness, complexity, and an abundance of detail and elements. This style contrasts sharply with minimalism, which is defined by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette
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