❝Less is bore❞ - Robert Venturi
There are many types of interior design and each style consists of distinctive furniture, decors, lighting, and accessories that give it its signature look. By getting to know some of the most popular styles, you’ll better understand what styles stand out to you and meet your preferences. Quite a difference from the usual less is more, Robert Venturi mentioned less is bore. "Less is a bore" incorporating more elements, colors, textures, and patterns, designs can become more expressive and visually rich. In today’s “Know Your Interior Design Style Series”, we will be discussing an interior design style’s approach that celebrates individuality and allows for a greater range of creative expression. The exact opposite from minimalist interior design, it is maximalist interior design!
Maximalist is literally just the exact opposite of minimalist! If minimalist style is having less unnecessary things while keeping design simple and classy, maximalism embraces extravagance and embraces the idea that "more is more." In maximalist interiors, you'll often find vibrant colors, intricate patterns, luxurious fabrics, ornate furniture, eclectic artwork, and various decorative objects layered together to create visually rich and eclectic spaces. It's about creating a space that feels lively, vibrant, and full of personality, often with a mix of styles, eras, and cultural influences. While it may seem messy at first, maximalist style actually have their own unique charms.
Maximalist interior design celebrates organized chaos, proudly showcasing a mix of your favorite things in one space. While minimalism embraces "less is more," maximalism goes all out, making a bold statement of self-expression. It's personal, diverse, and hard to pin down, but let's break down what are this style’s characteristics you can commonly find :
1. Rich and bold colors
Maximalist interior design loves bold, bright colors, and lots of them! Think lush greens paired with hot pinks, or rich blues setting off vibrant yellows. Colors like emerald, navy, violet, sapphire, black, or fuchsia often steal the show. Some people balance them out with light furniture and accessories, while others go all out with colorful furniture to make them pop even more.
2. Golden accents
Adding golden accents brings a touch of glamorous elegance to interiors. For a tropical vibe, consider incorporating gold-plated decorations shaped like fruits, lamp bases with gold finishes, decorative mirrors with golden frames, and dazzling candlesticks.
3. Repetitive mixed patterns
In maximalist interiors, patterns take center stage. Mixing diverse shapes and patterns is key, pairing contrasts like animal prints, geometric designs, or florals. These patterns aren't randomly chosen; they're carefully selected to craft a visual narrative of fearless creativity. Despite the mix-and-match approach, maximalist spaces maintain coherence, weaving a captivating tapestry of design elements.
4. Contrasting textures
Texture is essential in maximalist design, adding depth and warmth to spaces. Contrasting textures, from plush velvet upholstery to rugged wood finishes, create a visually stimulating environment. Maximalist interiors celebrate diversity, allowing cozy velvet sofas to mingle with rustic leather chairs and shiny metal accents to complement wooden coffee tables.
5. Wall arts and collectibles
Art and accessories are central to maximalist interiors, transforming walls into galleries and surfaces into storytelling canvases. Each item, from contemporary artworks to vintage treasures, contributes to the eclectic character of the space. Maximalist interiors are adorned with curated collections, showcasing an array of objects that reflect personal tastes and journeys.
6. Unique statement pieces
Maximalist interiors are brimming with unique items, often collected over the years or acquired during travels. Expect to find family souvenirs, quirky objects, and eccentric furniture pieces that infuse the space with individuality. From ornate mirrors to eclectic bird cages, maximalist interiors embrace the unexpected and the eclectic.
7. Plush and velour fabrics
In addition to playing with colors and textures, maximalist interiors incorporate plush fabrics like velvet, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication. Vibrant hues such as turquoise, sapphire, and emerald enhance the opulent feel of these spaces, while retro furniture and art deco elements add nostalgic charm.
8. Blending of styles and colors
Maximalist interiors are a blend of styles, embracing retro aesthetics alongside modern influences. From retro furniture pieces to trendy macramé wall decorations, these spaces exude a sense of eclecticism and personality.
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Maximalist design isn't a singular theme; it's more like a symphony, with different styles playing their own distinct tunes. Among the diverse genres within maximalism, two stand out which are eclectic maximalism and modern maximalism, each offering its own unique take on this vibrant aesthetic. Eclectic maximalist is like a mixtape of different times and styles. It blends vintage charm with the boldness of contemporary art, creating spaces where Victorian sofas cozy up to modernist sculptures, and Art Deco mirrors reflect pop-art pieces. It's for those who dare to curate a home as unique as their fingerprint. On the other side, modern maximalist is the rebel with a cause. It combines the sleek lines of modern design with the richness of maximalist philosophy. Picture monochrome themes punctuated by bursts of vibrant color or minimalist shapes adorned with textures and patterns. It's a style that says "less is bore" while still embracing the sleekness of modernity.
Source : Pinterest
Eclectic Maximalist VS Modern Maximalist
As long as your space is filled with color, patterns, and accessories, then you've achieved a maximalist home, and there's no strict rule about doing maximalism wrong. Yet, nobody desires a chaotic living space. While the "more-is-more" approach is affectionately referred to as cluttercore or cozy clutter, the objective isn't to appear messy. Therefore, we offer some tips on how to incorporate maximalist interior design into your home :
1. Include ornate accents
Thrift shops and antique stores are gold mines for decorating maximalist interiors. You'll find vintage brass, copper, gold, and silver pieces that add extra interest to your decor. Consider adding antique chandeliers or striking lamps to soften the corners of your room.
2. Incorporate vintage textiles
To embrace a maximalist style, consider integrating vintage textiles into your decor. Whether it's vintage rugs, tapestries, quilts, or curtains, these textiles add character, warmth, and a sense of history to your space. Bringing unique charm and eclectic flair to your maximalist interior.
3. Layer tactile fabrics
Why keep a sofa plain when you can pile it with patterned blankets and throws? This is a hallmark of maximalist interior design. Mixing contrasting patterns and colors can create a stunning effect. Balance out the throws with rugs and plush carpets to vary the textures in the room.
4. Layer colors and patterns
Mix vibrant hues with bold prints and textures to create a visually rich and dynamic environment. Embrace contrasts and pair unexpected combinations to add depth and personality to your décor.
5. Install boastful wallpapers
Maximalist interior design ditches plain walls in favor of extravagant wallpapers. The more intricate the design, the better. Colors, patterns, and standout pieces on the walls set the tone for the entire room's decor.
6. Focus on statement pieces
A single statement piece can bring order to the chaos of patterns and colors. Maximalist interior design doesn't have to mean overwhelming clutter. Instead, you can focus on a standout piece that serves as the centerpiece of the room.
7. Match art elements
Let a large, eye-catching painting take center stage in your design scheme. Select other elements in the room that complement this standout piece. Incorporate pops of color and ornate decor that echo the focal point.
8. Splurge with graphic prints and artworks
Fill your walls with an array of artwork for a maximalist style. Mix and match frames to create visual interest. Varied sizes of graphic prints add to the eclectic feel. Each piece of art should bring something unique, from its colors and styles to its themes.
9. Add framed windows
Add mirrors alongside your artwork to enhance the visual appeal. Round, square, or uniquely shaped mirrors create contrast between art pieces. Practical yet bold mirror frames are common in maximalist interiors.
10. Choose chunky frames
A gallery wall is like the signature of maximalism, it fills every inch of wall space with intricate details. Varying the sizes of your artwork is key, and using frames that are artistic in themselves adds richness and excitement to your gallery wall.
11. Stack your books
Imagine a living room with a bookshelf filled with books, art, and accessories scattered among them—a striking example of maximalist decor. This setup brings freshness to the room and provides a bold yet inviting backdrop for its impressive scale. The stacked books add to the maximalist aesthetic.
12. Fill up tabletops
Inspired by an open-concept area, adorn tabletops with plants, vases, decorative dishes, and any other items that catch your eye. Just ensure that the table remains functional, ready to hold your coffee cup or any other essentials you might need.
13. Accentuate with golds, bronzes, choppers
Create an appealing contrast by scattering these accents throughout the room to balance out vibrant colors and motifs. They can be subtle, like hardware finishes and furniture legs, or bold, such as a bronze coffee table or copper chandelier.
14. Create a jungle of plants
Incorporating plenty of plants is key to achieving an eclectic maximalist interior design. If a corner of the room isn't adorned with art, fabrics, or colors, it should have a plant. The versatility of plants allows you to place them strategically to maximize your space, whether they're big or small, standing or hanging from the ceiling!
15. Design with collectibles
Incorporate your collectibles to add a personal touch and eclectic flair to your space. Display your collections of art, antiques, souvenirs, or any other cherished items prominently throughout the room to create visual interest and tell a story about your unique tastes and experiences.
16. Lay down and layer rugs
Even if you're not aiming for a completely maximalist look, you can incorporate some maximalist elements, such as layering a few rugs on top of each other. Introducing a statement print into an otherwise elegant space can infuse a touch of playfulness into the room.
17. Display sculptures
Enhance the depth of a room by introducing sculptures. Place a sculpture as a centerpiece on the table, on the wall, or on either side of the couch to add visual interest from every angle.
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That is all our discussion about maximalist interior design! What do you think of this interior design style? Is it your preference? Consult your dream house with Livvy Luxury Living! Contact us on Whatsapp : +62 878 6894 8000 or visit us at 18 Office Park 25th floor Suite A, Jalan Simatupang Kav 18, South Jakarta.
Content Writer : Arcelia Emmanuella Adiwinata