The maximalist is gaining ground as a trending style in the design world. While minimalist styles seem to have been around forever, the maximalist is back. We are seeing a shift away from the sleek modernist style to a more luxurious and excessive look. Read on for some advice on how to get this look in your home.

Maximalist Style is Becoming Popular Once Again

Design by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, LLC.

Philosophy Behind the Styles

At the opposite end of the scale to minimalism is maximalism. The philosophy behind maximalism is a move away from pure utility and wide open spaces to lavish and more opulent styles.  Minimalism is influenced by Japanese ideas such as Zen, Wabi-Sabi, and Ma, and tries to exclude all things that are not part of the essence of the style. It is a more meditative approach to home decoration, designed to encourage mental peace and quiet.

Maximalism takes its cues from the baroque and rococo and has a much larger place for decoration and beauty in the more traditional sense.  A great example of a modern maximalist is Juan Pablo Molyneux. He uses a range of techniques, combining wallpapers and furniture, to achieve magic and beauty in his interiors.

So, is the maximalist trend something we can apply in our own homes?

Color

Color is important in the maximalist trend. While minimalism leans towards plain white walls or neutral colors, maximizers embrace a riot of color. Maximalist color can be used in both complementary and clashing ways for a different effect. If you are considering a more maximalist look for your interiors, use a color wheel along with paint and fabric samples.

This will help you to assess which colors you would like to use. Remember colors that are close to each other are complementary. While colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel are clashing colors these can still be used to great effect.

Maximalist Furniture

Traditionally, a minimalist room will have a zen-like quality and with simplistic furniture. By contrast, a maximalist room will have baroque-style furniture designed for its aesthetic beauty as well as its function. Furniture such as this will often be covered in luxurious fabrics and designed as pieces of art in themselves. If you would like to borrow this look for your own home, consider using one or two pieces of ornate furniture.  Some suppliers are now producing new versions of these, but you could also include antiques in your scheme that are perfect for the maximalist style.

Décor

Decoration and ornamentation are all but excluded in a minimalist-style room. However, they are a huge part of the maximalist style. An ornament’s existence can be justified by its beauty not just its function in maximalist rooms.

This provides one an incredible opportunity to fill the space with fabulous artifacts you’ve collected throughout your life. If it brings you joy and is beautiful, then there should be a place for it. A good way of doing this in your own home is to combine minimalist and maximalist styles. Use bright white walls as a blank canvas to apply an eclectic range of paintings and ornament for interest.

Images Courtesy of Canva.

Other posts you might like:

Fiberglass Diving Pools: Afresh Look at Designs, Prices, and Reviews

Bringing the Traditional Quality of Wrought Iron To The Modern USA

Gold Accents are Trending In Design

5 Popular Interior Design Styles and How to Get Them Just Right

Small Space Design – Clever Tips on Getting It Right!