Home Is Where Your Art Is: Maximalism

“Maximalism”. That sounds grandiose, weighty – almost ostentatious. The name of a Roman emperor, perhaps? But don’t worry, the opposite is actually the case: Maximalism as an interior trend usually comes across as relaxed, cozy, cheerful and full of character.

Friends of the Boho style will most likely fall in love with Maximalism, because the two styles have a lot in common: they’re easy-going and colorful, highly individual and all but compliant to the rules. Excess is not a problem for either of them, in fact –  Maximalism has even made excess its maxim (pun definitely intended).

Of course, Maximalism as an interior style is also a reaction to the long-standing rule of Minimalism in our four walls at home (or at least that of many influencers in the field of stylish living). As early as 2019, we were able to observe Maximalism as it began to conquer Instagram, but it only really picked up pace with the lockdown and people working from home in 2020.

For a long time before that, less was more (we have already explained the many advantages of Minimalism elsewhere), but since last spring it has suddenly become pleasant again to be surrounded by useful and pretty things. Because if you are at home a lot, you will be happy to a well-equipped kitchen at your disposal, a small jungle in the living room to take care of, or beautiful furnishing accessories to marvel at, preferably those with emotional value.

What exactly is Maximalism?

Maximalism is an interior trend that tries to fill the room with visual splendor: to do that, it mixes different – and often intense – colors, patterns and textures, and collects objects that are simply pleasing (whether they are of the same style or the same era, originate from the same culture etc. doesn’t matter). Maximalism wants to decorate our walls with a wide variety of wall art; with paintings, sketches and family photos in different formats and frames that do not match.

And here’s why we think that’s great

This trend creates space for individuality and creativity!

Like Boho Chic, Maximalism loves items with a personal touch, such as books, illustrations or photos, travel souvenirs (especially those that make a room more cozy, such as carpets, blankets or pillows), love letters, handcrafted bowls or vases and so on.

And we have to be creative when curating and conceptualizing, as restlessness and disorder should still be avoided. While it is much easier with Minimalism to create harmony between individual elements (for quantitative reasons), here we have to create connections between many different objects, colors and structures and have them communicate with each other.

And last but not least, a reason you most likely weren’t expecting: Maximalism can even be better suited for small spaces than Mr. Small Spaces himself, Minimalism. If you own more than two sweaters, a pot and a Kindle, then you need a lot of smart, clever storage space to keep a minimalistic look at home. A shelf full of book spines in different colors and sizes, the bread machine on the sideboard or 16 different glass containers full of seeds, flour and muesli are not so popular with Minimalism.

How To: Maximalism

1. Add lots of bright colors.
2. Personality is more important than perfection.
3. The more pictures on the walls, the better.
4. The same goes for books and plants (at least for those of you who can keep a plant alive).

Speaking of pictures on the wall

Do you remember our post about Gallery Walls some time ago? Maximalism, the picture wall really comes into its own – no wonder, as it offers a stylish way to bring a lot of yourself into the room. Now it’s time to experiment with distance, color and style, buy frames in different sizes and colors, and then bring everything together on the wall. Your goal is to fill an entire wall with art that you love.

Katrin Strohmaier spends her days as a mouthpiece for Photocircle with a penchant for development, interior design and human rights. From there, she spreads the good news that you can make the world a little better simply by buying art.

* Pictures on the living room wall

1. Untitled BW289 by Michael William Benton
2. Hot Stones by Bo Lundberg
3. Bleeding planet by Felix Dorn
4. Minimal Plant by Dan Hobday
5. Woods 5Y by Mareike Böhmer
6. Peace of nature by Holger Nimtz
7. All Good Things Are Wild & Free by Uma Gokhale
8. Rarity Cabinet Butterfly Peacock by Marielle Leenders
9. Norwegisches Häuschen by Christian Schipflinger
10. Sima by Ekaterina Koroleva
11. Sol by Martin Azambuja
12. Saguaro by Cats and Dotz (The Artcircle)
13. Ampersand by Vivid Atelier