Maximalism Style: 4 Simple Ways to Embrace Maximalist Interior Design
Declaring that more is more, maximalism style has come full circle. While the minimalist design trend offers breathability to interiors that many have come to appreciate, some of us feel the need for a bit of excess, personality and boldness.
What Is Maximalism Style?
The complete opposite of the minimalist style, maximalism has taken the interior design world by storm. Maximalism decor is presented through a multitude of textures and layered patterns, bold color palettes, and even personal ephemera and collections throughout a space. However, it can come across as luxurious and personable to some, yet fussy and cluttered to others.
While I tend to design clean, airy minimalist style interiors, I also believe in my heart that the home should be a reflection of its inhabitants. So if you want a touch of maximalist style in your residence or commercial space — without going overboard — I will show you exactly how. To me, maximalism interiors and maximalism decor styles have their place. The good news is that maximalism-style interiors don't have to be over the top. Like many things, there is beauty in balance.
Here are a few ways to invite a bit of maximalism decor into your home.
4 Ways to Embrace Maximalism Decor
I. Play With Bold, Unified Colors
One of the best ways to embrace maximalism is to invite bold colors into the space. However, the trick is not to invite every color of the rainbow but to settle on a cohesive color palette. This way, it will feel more intentional. Of course, play with warm tones or cool hues as part of your color collection to convey a particular mood.
Take, for example, Kelly Wearstler’s design of the Proper Hotel in San Francisco, California. Intimate seating areas spread throughout the lobby offer a bohemian maximalist style but a sense of unity with their individual warm and cool color palettes. With a color palette in mind, the rest follows suit. Furniture, artwork and accessories fall into place to create a purposeful, well-edited maximalist style interior.
Kelly Wearstler | Proper Hotel, San Francisco
II. Mix Up the Patterns, But Be Mindful of Scale
Playing with various patterns is a wonderful way to incorporate maximalism decor. However, it’s important to notice each pattern's scale, ensuring they don’t compete or fight with each other in a distracting manner. As a general rule, make sure the scale of each pattern is not too similar. For instance, a geometric mosaic motif along an area rug should vary from an animal print upholstered ottoman or accent piece. It all comes down to fundamental layering methods.
III. Create a Maximalism Style Gallery Wall
If you want to test the waters with this beautifully busy decor style, my first suggestion would be to create a maximalist-style gallery wall. A focal wall in a dining room or living room area is the perfect place to add a touch of maximalism to a home. Flooding the focal wall with a gallery of fine artwork, sconce lighting pieces, and other bits of decor can offer a taste of this maximalism’s luxurious excess without letting it define an entire interior.
Feel free to mix-match frames, artwork styles and more. The key here is to keep a uniform look by providing enough space between each piece of art.
IV. Assign a Maximalist Decor Style to a Single Space
If you already know you adore maximalist style interiors and wish for a fully immersive experience, dedicate a single room or space. Home libraries filled to the brim with books, mementos from your travels, and other personal effects and accessories are just one of the many ways you can welcome maximalist style into your life. In addition, maximalism-styled bathrooms can create an indulgent and colorful oasis where you can escape to unwind.
Care to Embrace the New Maximalism Style?
Like many trends, sometimes an opposing aesthetic gives a little pushback, adding interest to the scene. Are you ready to embrace maximalism decor, even just a little? Or are you still content with the serene, airy atmosphere of minimalism? Either way, Merav Frenkel Inc. offers bespoke interior design services to help create a space based on your personal design style as well as your unique and personal needs.
Get in touch with me today to transform your home and create the perfect interior.