Maximalism and How to Make It Yours! And here I warn you...I am one of those.
Bold, expressive, layered, and unapologetically personal.
When it comes to interior design, minimalism has long ruled. Clean lines, neutral tones, and “less is more” mantras have shaped our spaces and our psyches for decades. But now, something vibrant is stirring.
Maximalism!
For the record, I definitely consider myself a maximalist, even if with moderation. I love rooms that feel storied, rich with texture and meaning, but never overwhelming. For me, it’s all about balance, layers, and intentional choices. That’s the magic of it.
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Let’s set the record straight: maximalism is not clutter. It’s an abundance with intention. It is colour, texture, art, and beauty, all in one room.
Maximalist homes are layered, not ‘busy’. They are expressive, not excessive. Think English country houses, Parisian apartments, and vintage shops turned into living rooms. In a word? Character.
After years of magnolia walls and matching in pairs everything, maximalism feels like a joyful rebellion.
Thanks to flexible working patterns, many of us generally spend more time at home, so we want yes comfort but also colour and personality in our spaces. We want homes that feel alive. Maximalism delivers generously. It also offers something deeply personal: a chance to surround yourself with what you love. No rules, no trends, just you.
If you are inclined towards that layered and not staged look, here is your cheat sheet: colour is your friend.
Ditch the greige. Go bold with jewel tones, ochres, or moody blues, definitely greens. Even one colourful skirting or rug can shift a space from sterile to soulful.
Pattern Play. Stripes and florals? Yes, please. Plaids and chinoiserie? Even better. The trick is scale: mix big, medium, and small prints to keep it dynamic.
Collected, Not Cluttered. Maximalist rooms look spontaneous, but they’re often carefully curated. Choose meaningful pieces: vintage finds, books en plein view (to clarify once more: I like books to be read!), art, heirlooms.
Texture Adds Depth. Layer soft velvet, rustic wood, cool marble, and cosy textiles. Texture is the unsung hero of a truly rich space. Linen, boucle, rattan, juta, silk…
Gallery Walls Galore. There are no blank walls in maximalist homes. Build a gallery wall that mixes media, sizes, and frame styles. Let your walls tell your story. To be frank, I don’t much care if some designers are telling us they are out…I still adore a gallery wall, maybe just in one specific corner of your home, but I say go with it.
To really express your maximalist self, you don’t have to redo your whole house. Try this:
Add printed cushions or a bold throw to your neutral sofa
Style a shelf with table books, candles, and ceramics
Layer two rugs..yes, you heard me
Hang three prints instead of one, above your bed or sofa.
These tiny shifts build confidence and character. The best part? There’s no wrong way.
Your maximalist space should reflect you: your travels, obsessions, quirks, and hobbies. It’s not about more stuff; it’s about the right stuff.
Take your time, curate, layer, edit, and then add one more velvet cushion for good measure.
Stay bold, stay layered!
Want help crafting a moodboard for your own maximalist space? Follow along on
Nice writing, I totally enjoyed it. And I love the image used it really shows a room that tells a story. For my own spaces I don’t like overcrowding it with stuffs, I love to keep it simple, I love my space like seeing free open space, can one still be a maximalist that way
Absolutely, or at least this is what I think. I am a maximalist but I also love an open space and a clear lining. I would say that in that case colours mixing and textures make it. A soft pattern wall paper mixed to a neautral wall paint tone, or a scandi style linear bed with a matelasse' bedding, books NOT organised by colours or a one statement piece ( bold lampshade, ornate vase, baroque photo frame) can make your space more maximalist still staying true to your love for clear lines and open space. Thanks for reading me and living your comment.