Yahoo Lifestyle Yes, You Can Do Maximalism Thanks to These Fool-Proof Tips
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I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Those of us behind the screen, the writers and editors of Country Living, are self-admitted “hoarders.” Whether it’s a unique vintage or antique piece that was destined to be decommissioned from our photo studio’s prop closet or the latest Amazon find, we obsess over and immerse ourselves in all the things that make a home and fill a life. It’s a hazard of the job, but one we see as a perk!
Over the years, our love of stuff got a new (fancier) name: Maximalism. This designer-favored style is a no-holds-barred explosion of pattern, color, and, yes, stuff. (But, there is a distinct difference between maximalism and cluttercore.) Here, we walk you through exactly what maximalism is, where the style originated, and how to do it well thanks to expert tips from designers and stylish homeowners.
What Is Maximalism?
Okay, let’s back up. It’s easy to equate maximalism with a love of stuff, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. On its own, maximalist interior design principles embody the idea that leaning into the things you love is the straightest path to a house that feels like a home. It’s not just about the stuff, but the stories that come along with them. “More is more of what brings you joy,” says Texas-based designer Katie Davis.
Maximalist interiors are nothing new, either. Storied decorators of yore like Dorothy Draper and Mario Buatta built their businesses by embracing color and pattern in ways rarely seen before. Today, maximalism has gained popularity once again as a response to the mid-aughts obsession with minimalism and Marie Kondo-style tidiness. (Though, many of us admittedly misunderstood the lesson the much-maligned KonMari method was trying to teach us. It was never about getting rid of everything, but instead about finding peace in the things you already have and finding joy outside of rampant consumerism. I digress.) In practical terms, maximalism is all about embracing bold choices of color, pattern, and texture, and celebrating them for what they are: joyful, deeply personal expressions of style.
What Is The History of Maximalism?
Fanciful, over-the-top interiors have been popular throughout history, though they were typically reserved for royalty or the extremely wealthy. Today’s version of maximalism has roots as far back as the early modern period—the time between the 16th and 18th centuries. Maximalism would not be what it is without ornate Baroque (think Palace of Versailles) or Rococo interiors or the early democratization of housing, i.e. the proliferation of independent, nuclear-family dwellings on a level never before experienced, which allowed people to truly dive deep into their personal styles. In America, designers such as Elsie de Wolfe and Billy Baldwin share credit with Dorothy Draper in bringing colorful, pattern-filled interiors to the mainstream.
What Are The Defining Principles of Maximalism?
Maximalism is all about the mix-and-match mindset. Decorating with a maximalist point of view is a bit like cooking a really good meal. You need to taste as you go because there isn’t one recipe that fits everyone’s personal palate. There are, however, six key components you should focus on when trying to decorate with a maximalist mindset. All of them are aimed at amping up a room’s visual texture—the real look and feel of a space.
Bold Paint Colors
Paint is maximalism’s greatest tool. From color drenching a space in high-gloss paint to adding in fun folk art flourishes, paint can change the entire look and feel of a room with relative ease. While we all may have our favorite whites or grays, maximalism dares you to look beyond the typical paint colors and try something with personality.
Using bold color in a country home is all about pulling from the surroundings and embracing saturated-but-muddy hues. Country decorators have long relied on paint to level-up even the most humble of farmhouses—think chippy painted furniture or painted floors in a classic checkered pattern.
Strong Patterns
You can’t have a maximalist space without pattern, and proper pattern mixing is the key to maximalism done well. One way to pick patterns that foster a layered, livable home is by focusing on smaller scales, says Katie Davis. “Small ticking stripes, varying textures, tiny florals—some of these textiles might not even read as having a pattern until you get closer,” she says. Some other go-to designer favorite patterns include gingham, animal prints, cabana stripes, tartans, and buffalo checks. When using patterns in your home, don’t underestimate the power of a purposeful clash. Pairing gingham with animal prints or animal prints with a floral is a great way to show you have your design bonafides.
Cheery Wallpaper
Whether it’s a full mural wall or a pretty paper hung above wainscoting, wallpaper is an easy entry point into maximalism. Smaller spaces such as bathrooms (especially powder rooms!) are the classic, safe choices for wallpaper, but maximalists rarely play it safe. Larger rooms with defined purposes, like the entry, library, or even the kitchen, are also great places to play with the amount of pattern and color wallpaper brings. Just don’t forget the contrast trim paint job! (And, nowadays, removable wallpaper means you can also easily take it down without damaging your walls when you’re ready for a change.)
Statement Furniture
One bold piece of furniture is typical for a house, but in a maximalist home? Add multiple! A velvet sofa in an unexpected color pairs just as easily with a patterned upholstered reading chair as it does with one covered in quiet, nubby linen. Stick to the standard decorating guidelines of complementary colors, scale, and silhouettes when mixing more than one stand-out piece. Also err on the side of doing this in large rooms only, so you don’t overwhelm.
Ornate Accents and Crusty Antiques
A little glam never hurt anybody, right? Mixing fanciful silhouettes, such as chandeliers dripping with crystals, and humble, chippy painted pieces is another way to fast-track a maximalist space that feels layered and totally lived-in. Remember, maximalism is all about telling a story, so don’t stray from pairing pieces you aren’t sure go together. Crossing design eras is what gives a room intrigue! If you’re unsure about mixing a few pieces, look to the rest of the room and see what other eras you have or haven’t included. Considering your color palette also comes in handy when deciding what to mix—a common color thread helps make it all work!
Curated Collections
Maximalists and country-style decorators both share one common viewpoint: collections are cool. Styled throughout a bookshelf or arranged into a curio cabinet, these collected pieces help us tell the story of our home and of our interests, and they deserve to be celebrated. We’re giving you permission to keep on collecting the ironstone, vintage lunch boxes, colored glassware, baskets, silver candlesticks... (all in the name of style, of course).
RELATED: See how more collectors live with their favorite things.
How Do You Make Maximalism Look Cohesive And Not Cluttered?
Start With a Strong Palette
All this talk of color and pattern can throw even the most practiced designer for a loop. A clear palette is the only way to accomplish a well-put-together room. Start with one or two base colors and then build off complementary accents. An easy way to do this is to start with your hero textile or paint color. Pull out things that work well with it and go from there. Pick no more than five colors to work with.
RELATED: Here are our top 100 paint colors to get you started.
Make It Livable
We’ll let you in on a secret: Magazines do a bit of tidying up before we photograph a house. The clutter is tucked away, there are no dishes in the sink, and the pillows are always fluffed. In reality, that’s not how these houses always look, so it’s important that the home you’re creating works for you, and not for some higher standard you think might be attainable.
Livable maximalism is about finding that nexus point between style and reality. If you’ve picked a palette that you can live with everyday, focus on teasing out the complementary colors through additional layers. “Maximalism, for us, is about layers, but each layer doesn’t have to be vying for attention,” says Katie. This approach allows you to fill your home with patterns you love but aren’t going to grow tired of seeing every day.
Know When To Edit and Organize
The power of maximalists (and what separates them from their cluttered friends) is their ability to edit. One quick way to edit around your house is by relying on the rule of three, something we use at the magazine all the time. The rule is pretty simple: Most objects look good in groups of three (or similar odd numbers such as five). If your collection is bigger than a group of three, try breaking it up into different locations.
We know you won’t always have the watchful eyes of magazine stylists to guide your decision-making, so it’s best to channel their styling advice. Embrace the old adage of “a place for everything and everything in its place” to start, according to stylist Liz Strong. “Don’t underestimate the power of a tray to corral things,” she advises. Maximalists should strive to be organized, as a go-to organizational system will keep things from growing out of hand.
RELATED: How to Declutter Your Home in One Weekend: A 9-Step Guide
Examples of Maximalist Design
A Boldly Painted Door
A Collector’s Colorful Entry
A Chic Country Kitchen
A Cozy, Quaint Living Room
An Artful (And Art-Filled) Hallway
A Pattern-Forward Bedroom
A Bold and Beautiful Bathroom
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