What is Maximalist Decor?
Maximalist interior design is all about embracing a more is more mentality, mixing bright colors, bold patterns and textures to create a room that you love. An added bonus is that it gives you a boost of dopamine, making you feel happy every time you see it.
The maximalist home decor trend favors highly saturated colors like bubblegum pink, turquoise, tangerine – no color is off limits as long as it’s vibrant. Think lots of decor on the walls and tons of accessories. It’s the opposite of minimalism with its bare white walls and little contrast. Neutral elements are added in to help balance the room. Here are four easy ways to incorporate maximalist décor into your home.
Choose Brightly Colored Paint
Bright, vibrant paint is the star of maximalist interior design. This is not the time to choose the lightest paint color on the swatch. But you don’t have to paint the entire room in a saturated hue to get the maximalist look. Select strategic locations to get started, like the inside of a door or the trim. You can always go back and paint more areas later. If there’s a particular bold color you gravitate towards, this is your chance to go for it. The maximalist décor trend is all about throwing caution to the wind and making bold choices.
If you’re still apprehensive about adding bright paint colors to your living room, especially if you have an open floor plan, start with a smaller room that is sectioned off from the rest of the home like a powder room, guest bedroom or office.
Use Bold Wallpaper
Wallpaper instantly adds pattern to any space. Select a wallpaper that complements or includes the paint color to make the pattern and color feel related. Floral wallpaper, geometric wallpaper and ones with abstract prints usually have tons of color and provide a good starting point for a maximalist design. It doesn’t matter if you choose the paint color first or the wallpaper, just make sure they both have one of the same colors present. Doing this brings cohesion to the room and allows the elements to work together. Use the other colors in the wallpaper pattern to influence your accessories and smaller pops of color in the room.
Are you a wallpaper newbie? Peel-and-stick wallpaper is great for beginners and renters. It’s easy to put up, adjust and remove without damaging your walls.
Layer in Neutral Pieces to Balance a Colorful Room
Every item in the room doesn’t need to be bold and colorful. Layer in neutral pieces, like a gray bookshelf or a white lampshade to balance out bright chairs and patterned pillows. This is a great opportunity to shop your house and incorporate a few pieces you already own. Lush green plants also act as neutrals. Use white planters with texture to add depth without adding more color to an already maximalist room. Plus, no space is complete without a few plants.
Add Accessories and Decor to the Walls
Once all the other elements of the room are in place, it’s time to accessorize. Layer in things you love like a stack of colorful books, a pretty candle or an ornate frame for your wall art all to add to this layered design style.
Start slow when adding décor to the walls. Wall art that incorporates paint colors and colors in the wallpaper make it feel purposeful. Place a few pieces around the room at a time and let the décor rest for a few days before adding more. Maximalist décor is about layering, but it’s important that the room still feels functional and not too cluttered. Take your time and add in elements that enhance the experience.
