The world of design has been immersed in the trend of minimalism for the past few years. The most notably minimalist looks are known for its stark walls, serene colour schemes, and clean simple line. However, like most of-the-moment trends, when one style begins to fade from public eye, its polar opposite is quietly waiting in the wings, ready for its own moment.
From bold colour and luxurious fabrics to metallics and detailed pattern, maximalist design is without a doubt on the rise. Unlike the traditional design rules, maximalism is defined by the opportunities it presents, it welcomes diverse aesthetics, excess, decadence and extravagance.
There are few characteristics in identifying a maximalist space:
· Layering
· Repetitive patterns in prints such as florals, abstract, and animal prints
· Rich, bold colours
· Unique statement pieces
· Mixing and matching of textures and colours
· Blending of styles—oftentimes but not limited to classic, eclectic, and boho
Simply said, maximalism is all about combining styles with colours, patterns, and textures to create over the top space. Although maximalism means enveloping our homes with even more of those things, but this style isn’t messy or random, you can’t achieve the look simply by filling your space with decor.
Here’s our tips and ideas for you to create a vibrant style that’s eclectic rather than cluttered and chaotic.
Brave Colour
Courageous colours are the anchor of maximalism. There is no fear of bold, bright, vibrant or saturated hues, the more colour the better! Colour should be playful and used in a variety of ways, you can create palettes that clash. In most maximalist inspiration, you’ll notice that dark colours like black and navy blue are popular wall colours. Layering additional colours through accessories, or filling the room with bold or bright accents and patterns would balance things out with dark walls.
Mixing and Matching
Instead of perfectly matching styles and décor elements, maximalism gives you the freedom to mix and match as you see fit. You can mix of fabrics, patterns, lots of textures, also a variety of materials and unlikely colour combinations, and furniture styles, when putting together a maximalist design.
Maximalist design is full of compositions that create depth, mixing and matching these elements generates an implied surface by creating contrast and textured look. You can fill a space with a bold and repetitive pattern as well as using patterns that are visually loud and eclectic points, and play with fabrics and objects to explore texture.
Forgo Matching Sets
Matching furniture style is completely opposite to maximalist look. If you're going for a maximalist look, avoid matching your couch to your chairs or buying a set of identical nightstands. Try combining furniture and pieces from different design styles, colours even different design ears, it’d create a really interesting and maximalist space.
Become a collector
Maximalism is about having things on display, and you can be a collector of anything you love to create a closet of curiosities. If you love collecting books, trinkets, vintage finds, records, and souvenirs from travel, keep collecting! Anything and everything are welcome in a maximalist home. You’ll love your homes even more when you’re surrounded by the things you love.
Maximalism means more of everything, you can have more of your favourite colours, fabrics and accessories. To keep your decor from looking too random, find a few common colours or patterns to repeat through the room.
Layering and Make a Connection
Instead of picking furniture and décor that specifically go together, you can have pieces you like and try to create some sort of connection between them through colour, texture, or pattern. This creates a link between pieces to bring the room together, and make your interiors feel connected with a mix of different styles and pieces in the room. If you get to connect them to one another, your space will always look cohesive even there are many different styles and items.
Start using one of your favourite pieces in your space as your foundation and then layering around that. And remember to balance each side of the room among pieces and patterns, so your eye flows nicely from one side to the next.
Know when to stop
If a maximalist space looks cluttered and chaos instead of soulful and interesting, that’s an indicator that you need to stop. No one wants a space that feels cluttered and overwhelming, so aim to fill it perfectly. A maximalist space shouldn’t extend to every single corner. It’s better to have some space for your eyes to rest when looking around the room. You can take a photo of your space to look from outsider perspective, noting which surfaces look messy or over-designed. Or put everything you want to include in the space and then starts cutting.
Now, Tell Your Story
There’s always a common theme running through maximalism, which is like a visual theatre to tell a story. Think about what you want to express with your interiors/home, make your space speak of your own personality. Just draw upon things you love, and turns your house into your home.
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