I extolled the virtues of minimalism in my last article, but this time, I’m going to take the opposite approach and give a shout out to maximalism.
While minimalism is all about “less is more,” maximalists would rather say, “more is more!” Maximalist design embraces color, abundance, and personal expression.
Maximalism is a good fit for you if:
You love bold colors and busy patterns.
You have collections and want to show them off.
You prefer traditional styles with ornate details.
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You have trouble editing down the number of pieces in a room.
Minimalism tends to stay rooted in the mid-century modern look, but maximalism is not afraid to mix and match styles from across history. The Gilded Age in the late 1800s and Hollywood Regency style from the 1920s are both major sources of inspiration. Between minimalism and maximalism, I think maximalism is more trendy right now. All-white interiors were very popular 10 years ago, but interior designers are starting to use more color and wallpaper again.
Maximalism is the perfect design style for collectors of travel souvenirs, beautiful books, vintage china, etc. Just keep in mind that the more stuff you own, the more dusting you’ll have to do.
If you’re filling your room to the brim, you’ll need to create one or two focal points, such as a bookshelf or a gallery wall, that stand out from everything else. The rest of the elements in the room should be a little more subdued to let your focal points take center stage.
Just because you’re using bright colors doesn’t mean that you should feature every color from the rainbow. As you would with any other style of room, pick one main color and a couple of supplementary colors, plus another color for accents. You could always start with a neutral base and then layer more colors and patterns over time until you find the “sweet spot.”
Don’t forget that a maximalist home should be a bold expression of your personality.
An interior designer can help you create a home that looks chic and beautiful instead of cluttered, but make sure your designer can recreate your personal style, rather than impose their tastes on your home.
The best part about maximalism is that you don’t have to hold back: Your home can be a testament to your personality and all the things you treasure.
Margaret Chambers, a registered interior designer (RID) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) member, leads Chambers Interiors and Associates. Her colleague Caitlin Crowley helped edit this column. Visit chambersinteriors.com/blog for more design advice.
