While minimalism’s “less is more” principle focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic color palette, maximalism is the complete opposite. This design philosophy follows the “more is more” concept, embracing bold interior compositions that unleash your creativity and add unique elements that leave your guests in awe. By giving yourself more freedom in your design choices, it’ll be easier for you to showcase your personality in every area of your home.
Nevertheless, following a maximalist approach when updating your home’s interior comes with some challenges. Firstly, you have so many design options to choose from, so you might have difficulty narrowing down your selection. Next, many maximalist items, from living room furniture to bedroom furniture, feature bold designs that could clash with each other and disrupt the cohesiveness of your living spaces. Finally, since maximalism encourages you to make the most of the footage of your rooms by filling them with various décor, it can be an expensive interior design project.
Fortunately, there are a lot of maximalist design upgrades and ideas you can incorporate into your home so that you can let your creative side shine without worrying about them clashing with one another. Let’s take a look at five of them.
Choose Big, Eye-Catching, and Ornate Pieces of Furniture
Maximalism is a style that encourages extravagance, and a great way to achieve this is by selecting big, eye-catching, and ornate pieces of furniture, be it living room furniture, bedroom furniture, or something else for another part of the house. These items can set the tone of each room, giving you a foundation upon which can build your maximalist design ideas. For example, if you’re having difficulty starting your Victorian-inspired living room, getting a deep-blue sofa adorned with intricate carvings can fuel your inspiration. If you prefer the Rococo style, a whimsical coffee table could do the trick. If you don’t want to stick to one theme, you can combine different-styled furniture pieces to create a harmonious or eclectic look. The beauty of maximalism is that you can blend various furniture styles and eras. Thus, it makes sense that an antique French armoire can sit comfortably alongside a modern leather armchair.
Although maximalist designs focus on opulence, it doesn’t mean that you have to shell out a ton of cash to achieve the look. You can find many affordable ornate pieces of furniture that take inspiration from different styles, such as Art Nouveau, cottagecore, and Art Deco, in thrift stores and second-hand online marketplaces. Just make sure that you’re purchasing from a reputable source so that you can ensure that the pieces of furniture you’re getting are of excellent quality.
Be Expressive with Color
One of the most striking features of maximalism is its fearless approach to color. The key is to select a bold color palette and express your personality through it. Deep jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue can give your home an oasis feel, while ruby red tones can create a sense of luxury and drama. Don’t hesitate to mix and match complementary or contrasting colors to create a visually stimulating environment. Layering different shades of the same color or juxtaposing opposing hues can add depth and excitement to your design. For example, if the color of the walls in your living room is dark night, you can add magenta curtains, a mustard yellow wing chair, and a mirrored buffet cabinet with golden accents to give the space a pop of color.
Seamlessly Blend Different Textures and Patterns
Maximalist design lets you invigorate your home with intricate wallpapers, fabrics with bold prints, and furniture and decorations with interesting features and patterns. This interplay of textures and patterns adds dimension and richness to your rooms, giving your living spaces layers and layers of oomph. With so many patterns and textures, it can be difficult to perfectly harmonize different design elements. If you layer them correctly, however, you can create a cohesive yet visually stimulating design. For example, floral print throw pillows and a faux fur throw blanket can complement a lattice print couch. Layering these contrasting materials adds a unique element to the space.
Incorporate Lots of Indoor Plants
Amidst all the vibrant decor, indoor plants can provide a refreshing contrast. Plants add a natural touch to your home and bring life to your maximalist space. They also improve the air quality of your home. To ensure that the plants seamlessly blend with your maximalist interior, it’s a good idea to get a variety of plant species. Consider placing large potted plants like areca palms and birds of paradise in corners. You can also place hanging succulents like baby’s tears and philodendrons to add some greenery in your home’s vertical spaces. You should also place these plants in decorative containers (e.g. vintage ceramic pots and stained-glass hanging plant terrariums) to complement the opulence and extravagance of maximalist design.
Fill Empty Surfaces with Art and Kitsch That Resonate with You
Empty surfaces in a maximalist design are a missed opportunity. Therefore, to keep the concept of maximalism alive in your home, consider using these blank spaces to display your collection of curiosities and unique finds from your travels. Artwork, décor, and kitsch that resonate with your personality add character to your space. They also make for excellent conversation starters when guests visit. Consider hanging a gallery wall filled with an eclectic mix of artwork and mirrors, creating a dynamic focal point in your living room. You can also display a collection of vintage figurines, quirky collectibles, or travel souvenirs on open shelving units.
It can be a daunting task to incorporate a maximalist design when updating your home’s interior. However, if you approach it with an open mind and full of creative ideas, you can combine a variety of bold, eclectic, and opulent touches into your living space with ease. With these tips, you won’t have a hard time creating a maximalist home that showcases your personality.
