In the past, minimalism certainly had its moment. Those moments came in sleek surfaces and the constant urge to declutter. But for design lovers, long gone is the era of those clean lines and empty surfaces. So step aside minimalism, because it’s time for maximalist decor to shine.
Enter intentional clutter: a better, curated personality that you can add to any space without the stress of too much clutter, or wide, white open spaces. Think of it as an organized chaos: bold, eclectic and bursting with charm. Maximalism, in an intentional form, is about making smaller spaces feel big and being expressive about it all at the same time. Here’s how to make it work beautifully in even the smallest of spaces.
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Every Object Tells a Story
Clutter is piling things up for the sake of it. Here’s where intentional maximalism comes in: display your most meaningful items that have a direct reflection of your personality. That can include travel souvenirs, or even quirky thrifted finds. If you’re living in a smaller space, lean into this by stacking a giant tower of your favourite books against the wall, or line (and overflow) your window sill with cool plants.
Layers Over Clutter
Maximalism boasts a lot of layers, and it’s all about layers of texture, colours and patterns. In small spaces, it’s even more important to stick to a consistent colour palette to avoid visual overload. Bring in a bold rug in your living room — especially if you’re pairing it with subtle wallpaper. Or try layering a patterned throw over a textured armchair. Remember, you want your things to look thoughtfully collected and not chaotic.
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Artful Display
Do you have an old collection of vintage tea cups hanging around? What about a growing candle obsession? If you’re thinking yes, collect them together and make a display out of them — literally. Maximalist decor is about elevating everyday items and making them shine. If you treat your objects like decor, your home will start feeling more lived in and purposeful.
Harmony Through Repetition
Leaning into the maximalism trend can mean that your space is filled with a lot of eclectic and layered pieces. Repeat colours and materials to help you create a visual flow. That’ll allow you to create a rhythm across rooms, even in smaller spaces like a studio apartment or an open concept apartment. Repeated elements, like wood tones or botanical prints, for example, will help your space feel more cohesive.
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Set Some Rules
There is a fine line between intentional clutter and a big chaotic mess. But what is the one thing that keeps you from tripping and bumping into it? Organization, and lots of it. You can use a variety of easy tools, like trays, shelves and baskets to help you curate in the most organized way possible. Your space should feel functional but also neat, in order to showcase your personality without getting too messy about it.
As you can see, being intentional with maximalism doesn’t necessarily mean you need to fill your space with stuff. You just have to fill it with meaning, because at the end of the day this trend is really about trusting your taste and showing off those busy shelves and keepsakes you hold close to your heart.
So say hello to embracing all that you are through household items that mean the most to you. Lean into the clutter — just make sure there’s a purpose.
