Decorating: The 10 Tenets of Maximalism
Join the school of OTT design and learn to embrace excess in your interiors
Maximalism is the ultimate antidote to the minimalist design philosophy that dictates clean lines, simple furnishings and a neutral colour palette, where belongings are hidden away and just one errant cup or child’s toy could spoil the whole look.
Maximalist homes, conversely, are dramatic and daring as well as warm and welcoming. They offer up a feast for the eyes, conveying the owner’s personality, and always have a sense of fun. Design rules go out of the window in a maximalist home. In fact, the rule book has probably been thrown in the shredder and recycled for a decoupage project!
So if you love playing with colour, pattern, texture and scale, and are not content until you’ve embellished your quirky finds to the hilt, then maximalism is definitely for you. It’s a look that’s constantly evolving, as there’s always room for more (much more) in a maximalist home.
Maximalist homes, conversely, are dramatic and daring as well as warm and welcoming. They offer up a feast for the eyes, conveying the owner’s personality, and always have a sense of fun. Design rules go out of the window in a maximalist home. In fact, the rule book has probably been thrown in the shredder and recycled for a decoupage project!
So if you love playing with colour, pattern, texture and scale, and are not content until you’ve embellished your quirky finds to the hilt, then maximalism is definitely for you. It’s a look that’s constantly evolving, as there’s always room for more (much more) in a maximalist home.
Play with colour
A limited colour palette and deference to the rules of the colour wheel are anathema to the maximalist, who isn’t afraid of using bold shades. Dark walls contrasted with hits of hot hues in furniture, soft furnishings, accessories and artwork gel brilliantly and needn’t be limited to the colour wheel rules of contrast, harmony and tone. Experiment with a mood board first to see how unusual or unexpected colour combinations can work together.
A limited colour palette and deference to the rules of the colour wheel are anathema to the maximalist, who isn’t afraid of using bold shades. Dark walls contrasted with hits of hot hues in furniture, soft furnishings, accessories and artwork gel brilliantly and needn’t be limited to the colour wheel rules of contrast, harmony and tone. Experiment with a mood board first to see how unusual or unexpected colour combinations can work together.
Mix styles and eras
Eclectic and bohemian are the words that most often sum up a maximalist home, and sticking to one era or style is rarely an option for the magpie homeowner who loves this look. So mix it up to the max. If you love tribal artwork, animal prints, Victoriana, botanical details and rustic furniture – as well as the industrial look – there’s no need to pare it down. Being a maximalist can be pretty liberating!
Get an expert’s view on mixing styles and eras
Eclectic and bohemian are the words that most often sum up a maximalist home, and sticking to one era or style is rarely an option for the magpie homeowner who loves this look. So mix it up to the max. If you love tribal artwork, animal prints, Victoriana, botanical details and rustic furniture – as well as the industrial look – there’s no need to pare it down. Being a maximalist can be pretty liberating!
Get an expert’s view on mixing styles and eras
Clash patterns
Patterns are everywhere in a maximalist home, rather than just limited to a few accent pieces. So if you’re crazy for, say, graphic chevrons, classic English florals and Moorish pattern, go right ahead and throw them all into the mix. The word overkill doesn’t apply to maximalists and this homeowner in Edinburgh certainly hasn’t held back.
Try using a multi-coloured piece as a starting point, such as the rug here, and picking out the hues for other patterns of different scales.
Discover how to decorate confidently with pattern
Patterns are everywhere in a maximalist home, rather than just limited to a few accent pieces. So if you’re crazy for, say, graphic chevrons, classic English florals and Moorish pattern, go right ahead and throw them all into the mix. The word overkill doesn’t apply to maximalists and this homeowner in Edinburgh certainly hasn’t held back.
Try using a multi-coloured piece as a starting point, such as the rug here, and picking out the hues for other patterns of different scales.
Discover how to decorate confidently with pattern
Combine textures
Layering is the mantra of the maximalist, so bring in sheepskin throws, wool blankets and touchy-feely cushions in silk and velvet. Add embellishments, such as fringing, lace and appliquéd felt, to your soft furnishings, too. And don’t forget the walls: texture can be added with a wall-hung rug or through textured or embossed wallpaper.
Check out ways to create a layered look for autumn
Layering is the mantra of the maximalist, so bring in sheepskin throws, wool blankets and touchy-feely cushions in silk and velvet. Add embellishments, such as fringing, lace and appliquéd felt, to your soft furnishings, too. And don’t forget the walls: texture can be added with a wall-hung rug or through textured or embossed wallpaper.
Check out ways to create a layered look for autumn
Max up the lighting
Maximalism is perfect for people with eclectic tastes who find it difficult to narrow down their options. Why, for instance, have one ceiling pendant when you can have a cluster? Make sure you vary your lighting to add visual interest at different heights, and bring floor lamps, table lamps and fairy lights into the mix in an array of different colours, patterns and styles.
Maximalism is perfect for people with eclectic tastes who find it difficult to narrow down their options. Why, for instance, have one ceiling pendant when you can have a cluster? Make sure you vary your lighting to add visual interest at different heights, and bring floor lamps, table lamps and fairy lights into the mix in an array of different colours, patterns and styles.
Embrace kitsch
If something makes you smile, it surely deserves a place in your home. So stick two fingers up to the stuffy school of tasteful elegance in design, and look to pop culture for fun pieces.
If something makes you smile, it surely deserves a place in your home. So stick two fingers up to the stuffy school of tasteful elegance in design, and look to pop culture for fun pieces.
Display your wares
Maximalists often tend to be collectors – and not just collectors of one particular thing, either. So display is definitely the order of the day. A giant display cabinet with open shelving, such as this copper-backed beauty, is the way to go. Combine this with smaller, glass-fronted display cabinets and wall-mounted printer’s trays for a collector’s paradise.
Maximalists often tend to be collectors – and not just collectors of one particular thing, either. So display is definitely the order of the day. A giant display cabinet with open shelving, such as this copper-backed beauty, is the way to go. Combine this with smaller, glass-fronted display cabinets and wall-mounted printer’s trays for a collector’s paradise.
Look up
So you’ve covered every wall, and added layers, patterns and textures everywhere, but you’re still itching for more? Now’s the time to turn your eyes upwards to the often neglected ceiling and get wallpapering!
Here, the pattered wallpaper is teamed with light walls, but it would also look striking with dark paint. Or how about using two colourways from the same wallpaper range – one for the walls and one for the ceiling?
See why white isn’t always right for your ceiling
So you’ve covered every wall, and added layers, patterns and textures everywhere, but you’re still itching for more? Now’s the time to turn your eyes upwards to the often neglected ceiling and get wallpapering!
Here, the pattered wallpaper is teamed with light walls, but it would also look striking with dark paint. Or how about using two colourways from the same wallpaper range – one for the walls and one for the ceiling?
See why white isn’t always right for your ceiling
Be patient
Maximalism isn’t really a look you can put together overnight (unless you’re a set designer with an attic stuffed full of goodies). The most striking and successful maximalist homes tend to have evolved over many years, with items picked up from a variety of sources – high street and online buys mixed with collections, travel mementos, inherited pieces and vintage treasures. After all, it’s the stories and memories attached to each piece that make a home.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of maximalism? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Maximalism isn’t really a look you can put together overnight (unless you’re a set designer with an attic stuffed full of goodies). The most striking and successful maximalist homes tend to have evolved over many years, with items picked up from a variety of sources – high street and online buys mixed with collections, travel mementos, inherited pieces and vintage treasures. After all, it’s the stories and memories attached to each piece that make a home.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of maximalism? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Sponsored
A maximalist’s home is busy, busy, busy, so think theatrical and build up the layers in stages. You might want to start with a few anchor pieces in more neutral tones first. Here, the grey sofa, chairs, table, dresser and ruched blinds are the anchors, underpinning elements of red, green, blue and gold, and allowing the busy wallpaper and artwork to shine.
Maximalist homes are ultra-sociable, too. You can never have too much seating – and guests will always have a talking point!