What is Maximalism?

Now’s the perfect time to show off your new home with your favorite vibrant colors, eclectic art, and daring sense of fashion. Maximalism is putting individuality and a sense of fun back into home design. It’s excessive, exuberant, eclectic, and highly personal.

Start with your living room. Place the largest pieces you want to see in the room, including tables, chairs, sofas or loveseats. Remove everything else. Move the pieces around like an interior designer until you like the layout and flow—then you can add accessories. You’ll have multiple focal points, but to give the eye a rest, group similar but mixed and matched elements together—a wall of eclectic paintings, a case of books, or a row of embellished pillows replete with embroidery, tassels, and trims. Unify the look with a bold paint color or wallpaper.

Make coziness and comfort your priority. Upcycle damaged heirlooms and flea market finds with new finishes (gold gilt, black onyx stains, low sheen wax) and plushy fabrics (textured velvet) replete with tufts and trim.