This rich warm avocado green with warm wood, creamy accents, and gold tones make this room feel wonderfully layered without being cluttered or full.
After last week’s gift post featuring so many incredible objects for the home, we felt inclined to follow up with great examples of maximalism to give you an idea of how to create some ‘more is more’ in your home.
Maybe we are being a bit creative in our use of the word in this context, but it is described in Wikipedia—as it pertains to the arts—as a reaction against minimalism.
We must admit, sometimes more is more and a perfectly styled room with many layers including an abundance of interesting objects and works of art can be wildly romantic, not to mention both highbrow and homey.
To achieve the look of maximalism without feeling cluttered, stick to a few basic rules and get inspired by the images below.
1. Layers are key.
Maximalism is all about layers of décor: the rug, the upholstery, the accent pillows, a throw, curtains, wallpaper, or decorative paintings, and of course draperies.
2. Dark or contrasting colors.
A darker room can often feel more finished. Also, contrasting dark colors with something light or bold is very sophisticated.
3. The right accessories are crucial.
All too often people tend to overdo it with accessories, which can create a cluttered mess, or they omit accessories and the room never quite feels complete. The right accessories are an essential part of a maximalist room.
Bohemian-chic with a twist of Whimsical in this well designed and artfully layered apartment.
While this room appears to be clean and somewhat minimal, Kelly Hoppen’s home is layered by the contrasting color of the warm exposed beams that compliment the carpet and neutral furniture.
A bohemian-chic take on our concept of maximalism. We love the fact that white walls were used here as a clean slate allowing each piece to pop.
Nothing says maximalism like draping your bed in luxurious fabrics.
Even in black and white, a typical minimalist combo, you can become a maximalist by simply layering fabrics and textures like the organic lighting and quilted bedding underneath classic Hermes horse blankets.
This classic librabry somehow feels quite contemporary with layers of 20th Century pieces such as as the Maison Jansen cocktail table and picture lighting. Design by Jean-Louis Deniot.
A whimsical chic adaptation of maximalism. The right combination of books and objet d’art with 20th Century chairs, chandelier, and buffet. The warm burnt orange with black is rich and comfortable.
Layered to the MAX by Anouska Hempel Design.