Everything You Need To Know About Maximalist Home Designs

Move over, minimalism.  Maximalist home design is coming to town. This carefully curated, adventurous style is sure to fill your home with unique, joyful energy. Learn what characteristics define maximalist home design, tips on nailing it and if the maximalist style is right for you.

What is Maximalist Home Design?

Maximalist home design is a trending interior decorating style that’s all about making your mark with bold colors. It combines vibrant patterns, textures and colors into an “organized chaos” that’s big and exciting. Unlike minimalism, which restricts the number of items you invite into your space, maximalism favors decorating with many accessories, allowing you to show off your favorite pieces.

While this style is on the rise, it’s one that has been around for quite some time. Back in the 16th century, it was a way for the wealthy to highlight their artwork and other highly treasured goods. In the Victorian era, it became a way to tap into the period’s love of the material world and desire to showcase their personality to others. Recently, it resurged as more people spent time at home during the COVID-19 lockdown and were looking for a safe place to express themselves and enjoy their passions.

What are The Characteristics of Maximalist Home Design?

Maximalist home design is defined by the following traits:

Bold and Vibrant Color Schemes

Warm colors like yellows and oranges can help convey the feeling of joy, an important pillar of maximalist design. When planning a maximalist home, it’s helpful to start by selecting a bold color palette to root your rooms around. Typically, a maximalist style ties three to four related colors together: we’d recommend deep green, rich red, tropical coral and contemporary blue for a multi-color story. It can also be helpful to pair opposites, like blues and oranges.

A Mix of Patterns and Textures

Maximalist homes typically include many patterns and textures to delight the eye. Think of a child’s touch-and-feel book but for your home. To achieve this level of detail, mix unique wallpapers with adventurous furniture fabric patterns for an intentional display that showcases your flair. We also recommend combining furniture made from different materials, like a wooden end table and a terracotta plant pot.

Use of Statement Pieces and Accessories

Another element of the maximalist home design is having a few statement items that really wow your guests. Pick a focal point to draw the eye to when someone walks into your home. Great pieces to choose can include family heirlooms or other antiques from local thrift stores and garage sales. Including older pieces can help combine traditional styles with contemporary ones. A maximalist home design is a great opportunity to show off your souvenirs from your travels over the years or other hobbies you enjoy.

How to Achieve Maximalist Home Design

Tips & Tricks for Incorporating Maximalist Design into Your Home

To achieve a successful maximalist home, follow these tips:

• Show off a Collection: Group similar items together like stacks of books, wall art or tea cups to display your highly coveted collection.

• Select Comfortable Pieces: Make your space both stylish and inviting with homey pieces like a velvet couch or a knitted throw blanket.

• Reach High: Deck out your ceiling with a funky patterned wallpaper or accent paint color to tie the whole room together.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Maximalist Home

Here are some errors to avoid when designing your maximalist home:

• Over-accessorizing: While the maximalist home design is often tied to the motto “more is more,” select your favorite items and try to incorporate them into the room to keep the space from feeling cluttered.

• Mixing Design Styles: Each room in your home should have a common theme to avoid giving guests whiplash as they journey from your farmhouse kitchen to your mid-century modern living room.

• Making a Half Attempt: Part of what makes the maximalist home design work is that it’s not afraid of taking risks, which is why homes with a partial attempt at maximalism, like a lonely accent wall, miss the mark.

How to Decide if Maximalist Design is Right for You

You may want to steer clear of a maximalist design if you aren’t aware of what types of elements go well together or don’t have a personal taste yet. It’s not suited for those afraid to fully commit to a bold look. All you Marie Kondo super fans who are constantly looking for ways to clear their space likely won’t do well with this design either.

If you feel a minimalist design lacks personality or feels sterile, consider decorating your home with a maximalist design. Here, you can freely express yourself and what you value. This is also a great design option for those that have a unique collection of items they want to show off to visitors.

Ready to Maximize Your Home?

As you prepare every surface for your maximalist home design, you may realize it’s time for a window or door upgrade. Here at Window World, we’re happy to help you pick the right addition to match your home’s style and needs. Contact us to get started picking out what windows or doors will mix with your maximalist design.