How to do Maximalism
Maximalism is the interior design darling du jour. This flamboyant style which celebrates everything I love about interiors has been the darling of Instagram, style magazines, and blog posts for the last few years. I’m a fully signed-up member of the more-is-more club but must admit it’s a rather complex look to nail. How do you celebrate your love for bold colour, mashing pattern and having all the beautiful things together all at once and stop it looking like a dog’s dinner?
The first place to start is to really dig deep and work out what sort of maximalist you are. This is no cookie-cutter style and a wonderful opportunity to express your own individual take. Interior design really works for you when you use it as an opportunity to explore your own self-identity. Maximalism is the perfect act to follow as it allows you so many opportunities to collect things you love. From sentimental displays to collecting objects you find beautiful. My personal style is in sympathy with my Sussex country home, so I love layering botanical prints and countryside motifs. For some, it may be more glamorous and Palm Spring in style or perhaps you go full-on Victoriana like this House of Hackney bedroom above.
Pattern attack! I love the way the pattern falls over all the walls, the curtains, the pelmet and the armchairs too. It’s like a cocoon for maximalists. Image from Pierre Frey
While it can feel quite overwhelming to get right, the good news is it’s a go-slow approach to decorating. A maximalist interior is NEVER FINISHED! Why would you want the journey to ever come to an end? It’s about adding things you love slowly over time, adding to your own story. Maximalist interiors love a layered look, from gallery walls, layered rugs, to a jostle of mix-matched cushions on the sofa.
For me I love stuff! But styling it all up takes some know-how. It’s all about curating the things you love. I find that having a tight colour palette helps create a sense of cohesion. This way you can mix different patterns and media and they all feel like they ‘talk to one another. Another trick is to collect a similar style- but not too matchy-matchy. For example, you might like mid-century modern furniture, and if you repeat this design reference throughout the house it helps it flow. Or you can use colour to be your common thread. I have my favourite cobalt blue in almost every room, and blush pink is like my neutral.
The Mallorca home of designer Matthew Williamson is a masterclass in pattern mashing. Notice the different scales of print, all bought together in this colour palette of azure blue and turquoise
Building up a maximalist look is also very budget savvy. You can mix high and low, from bespoke to high street and old and new, from antiques, and flea market finds to contemporary pieces. I think the whole look often needs to feel a little bit bonkers so the fact that nothing matches is the whole point. Colouring in my numbers this is not. It’s an expression of creativity and individuality. Mixing different objects, design references and styles only makes for a more interesting interior design.
A glorious mix of furniture styles and mixing old with new. The lush green colour pulls it all together. Image Svenskt Tenn
TOP TIPS TO GETTING THE MAXIMALIST LOOK
- Use a common colour palette all around the room, from artwork to fabrics to furnishings
- Create a strong focal point so the eye has somewhere to rest
- Symmetry or arranging things in pairs can help create calm amongst the chaos
- Invest in what you love
- Don’t get caught up being too practical
- Just go for it.
You can use colour to link rooms, from one to the other while they all have their own unique personality. Image: Anna Spiro
And possibly the best thing you can do is to sign up for my interior design school where I host my online course How to Create Maximalist Interiors which teaches you EVERYTHING you need to know about nailing this style. This course takes you through 55 easy-to-follow- lessons, from how to identify your personal style, to how to put all the individual components together. I’ll guide you on how to pick the perfect colour palette, and blend clashing patterns before styling all your favourite objects to perfection. You’ll learn how to blend old with new, layer favourite pieces together and over time build a home you truly love that speaks to you on a heartfelt level.
The online course is simple and easy to follow and can be started and completed in your own time. Don’t miss out!
