maximalist interior design Archives

Last week, I got over 15 DMs stating the problems with maximal interior design on my Pinterest! Some people argued on its chaotic nature, some felt it was just a complete mess, while others complained that it had no order & synchronization. But do you know that the true maximalist interior design meaning isn’t just about piling everything you own, as you want? It’s actually a carefully curated, layered look with bold accents, jewel tones, textures, patterns, etc. So today, let’s burst all the myths surrounding this very colorful maximal design style from an expert & learn all the tips, tricks & tools necessary to sport it like a pro! Shall we? Psssstt! This post may contain affiliate links to relevant products from the US market. Basically, a win-win for both of us! You get to discover premium & the best-selling interior products, while we get to keep our content flowing from your purchases! 📝 Top Insights Maximalism is all about creating visual depth & interest by layering patterns, textures, colors, finishes and different materials together. A maximalist interior design isn’t always old & time-worn; you can tweak it for a modern look using abstract paintings, metallic accents and plain chesterfield sofas. A maximalist decor favors bold & statement pieces like dramatic chandeliers, decorative wall scones, gold & copper accents, jewel-toned upholsteries and rich velvet or silk rugs. What is Maximalist Interior Design? © Archwhispers.com Maximalist interior design is a trendy vintage-themed decor style that deals with bold colors, textiles, patterns, layers and jewel textures. It’s basically the ‘More is More’ approach with statement pieces, exposed lights and carved furniture. Infact, back in the 17th & 18th century, when the vintage maximalism was at its peak, the maximalist decor comprised gilded gold accents, woven tapestries, lavishly tiled walls, ceiling & other ornate features. Then in the 19th century, maximalism saw a mix of Victorian & Georgian styles. People used a classic blend of metallic accents, velvet, damask & brocade fabrics, along with other ivory & pearl inlays and mirrors. Chandeliers & lights were prominent, but those had a glossy, golden finish as compared to the regular oil-bronze ones in that era. Finally, by the 20th century, the modern maximalist interior design came into being. Thus, bold, geometric furniture replaced the heirlooms, dramatic lights put back the chandeliers & the velvets and silks were interchanged with metallic accents. However, the maximalist decor, as we see today, is quite different altogether. Like, it uses bold & vibrant combinations, say pink & yellow or lime & gray for example, along with a mix of contemporary & antique pieces, metallic accents and silk rugs. Need an architect who writes like a human?Let's Collab! 5+ years of turning built environment & decor into fun, SEO-friendly, Web-Page ranking stories.Request a Blog Why You'll Fall in Love With Maximalist Interior Design? Most folks dig into maximalist interior design because you can reuse your heirlooms, accessories, and it's great for storage. But, even if you're into modern or contemporary vibes, you'll still love this personalized style for these ten reasons: Helps you showcase your personality through bold colors, patterns & textures Relaxes and stimulates the eye through different layers Serves as a great conversation starter through its unique and eye-catching furniture elements Maximalist rooms don’t need a lot of cleaning and mopping everyday Hides dust, imperfections and paint cracks like a pro Allows you to modify your space by rearranging objects, matching styles, colors, etc. No rigid rules to follow; you can experiment, rearrange and modify stuff as you like! Helps engage a variety of tangible and intangible senses for optimal relaxation Boosts your storage space; both built-in & shelved storage Realistic for busy lifestyles; accepts your mess, clutter & untidiness while maintaining the decor language. Top 5 Maximalist Interior Challenges You Might Face & How to Solve Them? Maximalist rooms are totally cool and free-spirited, but not everyone's cup of tea. Some people find them too gaudy, others just can't stand the mess. So let’s list such maximalist interior design problems and solve them together! 1. “Feels Too Cluttered & Overwhelming for Me,” says Jessica © Archwhispers.com Well, I get that a maximalist room might look too colorful and stimulating at times, but the trick here is to group similar objects and avoid negative space altogether. Also, try to use color & material repetition and similar textures to anchor the look rightly. Quick Tip: Stick to a particular color family like teal or orange and use it’s different hues & shades for over 70% of the design. Next, choose an accent color, preferably metallic gold, white or silver & arrange it along the corners or statement pieces. Shop Round Gold & Marble Coffee Table Shop Maximal Table Sculptures 2. “I Feel Tired When Cleaning All the Maximalist Design Elements in My Room” quotes Emma Hey Emma, we feel you! While we get where you are coming from, there are a lot of ways in which you can clean a maximalist design easily. Like, start by adding baskets, storage bins and shelves to store your items and keep all the surfaces free of clutter. You can also use washable sofa fabrics, say olefin, acrylic and acetate for example, so that you can dump them into your machines. Also try to vacuum the house regularly, say once in a week, so that you’ll need lesser deep cleaning altogether. Shop Stackable Plastic Storage Bins Purchase Storage Baskets Online 3. “My Maximalist Interior Design Feels Scattered Like Anything” argues Oliver © Archwhispers.com Well, Oliver, I previously had this same problem in my maximalist room. But then, I remained strict with my visual hierarchy. Like, I placed big planters close to the skirting and then arranged smaller stools, pots and tables in front of them. I also planned the materials rightly. Like, most of my decor is wood, with printed, cream-colored linen upholsteries, while the walls are textured. So, coordinating everything really helped bring it all together. You can also identify some conversational areas in your room & anchor them with strong visual elements. Basically, add paintings, mirrors, sculptures & tapestries beside your seating. Moreover, you can also use the 70-30 rule. Like, use a repetition of similar shades, colors & patterns for over 70% of the room and arrange your accents in the remaining 30%. Trust me, it’ll anchor your look together. Shop Durable Planters Explore the Best-Selling Wall Mirrors Online 4. “But I Also Feel That It Looks a Bit Outdated” adds Lucas Hey Lucas, to deal with this issue, just focus on your persona! You could go with colored sofas and rugs if you're into a funky style, or opt for metal accents if you prefer a modern vibe. You can also switch your art or accents for some freshness. Shop Premium Floral Paintings Online Purchase Exclusive Multicolored Rugs 5. “But What About the Resale Value? ” questions Hazel Yes, Hazel, I know that maximalist rooms usually have lesser resale value than minimal rooms. But hey, that totally depends on if you want to sell it with your furniture or not! You might need to remove some furniture and accents for flexibility. Like, the user’s obviously not gonna pay more if he has to dump all your extra goods himself. So, you can either sell it on Aptdeco, OLX or something and quote a standard resale price. One more option is to incorporate some neutral accents - say plain wood tables, beige couches or white shag rugs to make the space look bigger and appealing. What Are the Elements Found in a Maximalist Interior Design? © Archwhispers.com Maximalist interior design is all about "More is More, Less is a bore" by Iris Apfel. So, it's no surprise this style is packed with tons of elements, accessories, and design features. Let's take a look at them below! Bold, Vibrant & Concentrated Colors: A maximalist interior is all about colors - jewel tones, textures and shiny metal accents, of course! Varied Patterns: Try to go for different, layered patterns in a maximalist interior design, say botanical, animal, Ikkat, Striped, Textured or Metallic prints. Play with Textures: Maximalist interior designs need different material textures like wood, metal, velvet, cotton, linen, stone and veneers in a single design. Material Layering: Overlap some textiles, rugs, furniture and throw pillows on each other for more visual depth and dimension to your maximalist design. Statement Pieces: Try to go for unique accent pieces - either abstract furniture, hand-painted tables, cane lights or frames for more focus and personality. Go Personal: Each and every accessory in a maximalist bedroom must feel personal; either use your inherited antiques or paint all your accents yourself. Storage Solutions: Employ different open and closed storage options - cabinets, shelves, racks, baskets and dressers to avoid your clutter messing around the decor. Maintain the Breathing Space: Allow adequate breathing room between your accessories and furniture to avoid visual chaos, clutter and disturbance. Add Plants: Maximalist interior design ideas are all about plants - oversized plants, potted plants and trellises for a cozy, biophilia feel. Shop Live Snake Plants Get the Monstera Swiss Cheese Plant How Do You Reframe Your Clutter as a Maximalist Interior Design in a Room? You can curate a maximalist interior design look by reframing all your clutter into groups or layers, using personalized furniture, rugs and adding in a lot of chandeliers and plants. I suggest you also use striped or any patterned wall painting idea for focus. Feeling lost? Don't worry, I'll explain everything below! 1. Can You Mix Different Shades & Textures in a Maximalist Interior Design Style? © Archwhispers.com Yes, you can obviously mix and match different styles and textures in a maximalist room, but just layer them for more balance & visual interest. For example, you can layer small velvet or silk rugs with a large fur rug, or use wallpaper on the columns, while keeping the walls plain. The choice is yours! Moreover, you can also mix smooth & rough textures, say marble tables with jute rugs or so, for more dimension. Just remember to stick to 5-6 colors & materials to avoid an overwhelming look. Quick Tip: Always choose adjacent or analogous color wheel colors to anchor your decor together; say blue-green-purple, red-orange-yellow, etc. Shop the Best-Selling Area Rugs 2. Which Floors Work the Best in a Maximal-style Home? Maximalist interior design ideas usually go well with wood & patterned tiles or carpeted floors. But you can also go with anti-skid ceramic or porcelain tiles if you have elderly people back home. Even designer Athangudi tiles are a perfect pick! Caution: Avoid using bleach, abrasive cleaners or floor tile acids as those might discolor your floors and lead to a shabby, distressed look. Shop Citrus Floor Cleaners Purchase Felt Furniture Pads 3. What Textiles Can I Use With My Maximalist Interior Design? You can explore some really shiny and luxurious fabrics like velvet, silk, brocade and satin to add a touch of glamour to your maximalist design. But if you prefer a matte look, then simple linen, wool or tasseled fabric would be great! One more option is to use textured, animal prints or striped cotton upholsteries with wooden furniture. Trust me, it looks quite layered, bold & dramatic. Shop Premium Velvet Rugs Get Shiny Silk Rugs 4. Which Lights Can I Use in My Maximalist Living Room? A maximalist room usually goes well with bold or statement warm white lights. So, you can go with ornate chandeliers, pendant lights, scones, wall lights or regular bulbs. You can also go with track or LED lights if you want to highlight some feature or painting. Shop Maximal Chandeliers Purchase Traditional Pendant Lights 5. How Do You Curate a Colorful Maximalist Interior Design Decor at Your Home? As we all know, maximalist designs are already quite colorful & textured. But, you can still accentuate its luxurious & colorful feel by using jewel tones - peacock green, sapphire or ruby for the accents & wall trims. Also, match your patterns fearlessly - layer velvet, silk, geometric, floral or anyother statement rugs over a white or beige area rug. Moreover, ditch those line paintings and add something more intricate - maybe a dot mandala design or lippan art frames! Need HIGH-QUALITY & CUSTOMISED Lippan Art Frames Worry not! We're just a call away! Contact us & DM your requirements.Explore Our Shop 6. What Are the Elements of a Dark Maximalist Interior Design? © Archwhispers.com A dark maximalist interior design is eventually a cross weave of dark navy, burgundy, deep green or black as the foundation colors, velvet & silk upholsteries, gold, silver or bronze accents and intricate dark-hued accessories like black rose or purple orchid paintings, oil-rubbed sculptures, etc. Shop Black & Gold Rose Canvas Wall Art Purchase Black Shag Rug 7. How Do You DIY a Funky Bohemian Maximalist Look at Home? You can DIY a Bohemian maximalist interior design look by focusing on the three p’s - playfulness, pigments & profusion. Basically, use neutral white, beige or cream for the walls & layer it with floral, geometric or ethnic rugs, throw pillows, paintings, etc. Quick Tip: Try to achieve a 50-50 balance of antique & new collectibles, wood & metal accents and tribal and solid-colored textiles in any boho+maximal-style decor. Explore Ethnic Throw Pillows Shop Geometric Throw Pillows 8. How Do I Create an Eclectic Maximalist Interior Design? Creating an eclectic maximalist interior design is relatively easy; All you need to do is layer some floral, geometric or striped rugs together and paint the walls in bright yellow, gray and orange hues. Then, simply pick the best of your paintings and photographs to curate a gallery wall! You can also draw some inspiration from local and regional cultures, folklore and tourist places for your wall art. Also use different ambient and task lights to curate focus. Calling All Home Design Storytellers! Let Archwhispers Be Your Stage.Do you have a captivating home design story to tell? Archwhispers.com is the perfect platform to share your experiences and inspire others.Write a guest post now!Check our Guest-Posting Guidelines So, now that we have seen all the key aspects of a maximalist design, it's time to put our learnings to practice! Let’s see how! 1. How to Create a Living Room Maximalist Interior Design Easily? © Archwhispers.com Creating a maximalist living room is really easy-peasy! Start with a bold color combo like say peacock green & purple for your conversational area and then work out the accents in gold or silver. You can also curate a focal point by adding wall arts or murals. Then comes the flooring. We suggest using neutral, hand-painted tiles in the living room, with ethnic fur rugs on top. Also, try to add some spillover spaces along the corners to balance the composition rightly. You can also invest in some extra accessories like candle stands, bookends, table decor, souvenirs, figurines or pottery to make your room stand out! Large, clerestory windows are also a good choice. Shop Premium Candle Stands Explore the Best-Selling Figurines Online 2. How to Decorate a Maximalist Interior Design Bedroom? © Archwhispers.com Maximalist bedrooms are all about the carved canopy and four-poster beds, Victorian dressers, cabinets and bold yellow, teal or grayish color palettes on the wall. These usually have a lot of tapestries; say on the curtains, fabric headboards and rugs. Plus, most maximalist bedrooms have a feature wall with a metallic wallpaper or trendy wall painting ideas over the bed. Also remember to use printed bedding with velvet or silk runners on top. And for the lights, go with golden lamps and pendants. Shop Rustic Wood Dressers Explore Maximal Bed Lamps Online 3. How to Style a Maximalist Kitchen? Most maximalist kitchens go very well with intricate bead board or arched cabinets, tiles, backsplashes, textured granite countertops, open shelves and exposed wood work. But, if you already have minimal shaker cabinets, then you can simply decoupage them for a maximal feel. Also, consider using carved or rod-style cabinet handles instead of hardware pulls. You can also decorate your walls with vintage kitchenware, photographs or any recipe boards to steal the focus. As for the flooring, restrict it to natural wood or terrazzo for more balance, or simply go with those matte porcelain tiles for a nice, ethnic vibe! FAQs 1. Which Are the Most Trendy Colors for a Maximalist Interior Design? Bold and enticing colors like Peacock Green, Cobalt Blue, Navy Blue and Charcoal Gray work the best in luxurious maximalist rooms. But, if you are a bit on the softer, boho-side, then try using Mustard Yellow, Terracotta, Orange or Saffron hues instead. 2. What Type of Furniture Can I Use in My Maximal Setting? You can use any bold & statement-making furniture - say velvet chesterfield sofas, camelback couches, tuxedo seats, settees, etc. Also use rich fabrics - silk, velvet or tufts for the upholsteries and lacquered, mirrored or oil-bronze finishes for the furniture sections. Conclusion So, as you saw, a maximalist interior design isn't about hoarding (like in a minimal or modern design style) – it's about creating a space that bursts with personality and rearranges your clutter as an aesthetic. It's all about making a space full of personality and turning your mess into art! Also, maximalism vibes with 'wabi-sabi'; the more imperfect and natural, the better it looks. And hey, no strict rules here! So, just recreate this look in your favorite room and drop us the pictures in the comments! We’d certainly love to feature them! Own a Piece of Artisanry: Shop Our Handpainted Collection! Ps. You won't find these treasures anywhere else. Check Our Collection External Resources Learn All the Features of Maximalism in Interior Design From the Jd Institute of Fashion Technology

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