Allie Lefevere describes her maximalist Chicago home as colorful and eclectic. But when she and her husband moved into this home four years ago, she didn't have a specific design style in mind.
“We just wanted the house to feel vibrant,” says Lefevere, founder of branding agency Obedient. She wanted “something that represented our lives, the places we explored, and the memories we made.”
Jean Whitehead, a senior lecturer in interior design at Falmouth University in Cornwall, England, says the philosophy behind maximalist decor is “the more the better.'' Bold colors, textures, and unique pieces define this style, and Vogue magazine says the elements are “in” his 2024 design trends.
Going maximalist at home can seem daunting and expensive, but it doesn't have to be.
Shop for recycled and vintage items
“One of the more economical ways to explore maximalism… is through thrift stores and estate sales,” says Daniel, who runs the Instagram account Not A Minimalist, which has more than 70,000 followers. Mattis said.
Mathis' home in Oklahoma City displays his maximalist style, including many second-hand items. To get a bargain, Mathis suggests waiting until the last day of an estate sale, when prices are likely to drop.
Alex Ammer, a certified financial planner and owner of Paradox Financial in suburban Orlando, Florida, recommends decorating in stages.
“Budgets may vary for each stage of interior decorating,” says Ammer. Thrift and discount stores are great for decor and accents, but you might want to spend more on unique furniture like sofas.
Let's make it ourselves
Maximalism means applying your own creativity to your space. Let's boldly remake old furniture. When Matisse fell in love with a Southwestern-designed rug, she used her fabric as the upholstery for an armchair in her living room.
For a simpler project, you can paint the items or frame them with travel photos or your child's artwork and hang them together.
Search through your home for items that could be used to revitalize them, or browse art and home goods stores for ideas and tools you need to bring them back to life.
flexible
Incorporating notable items into your décor is a way to create a one-of-a-kind space, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Always be on the lookout for items that stand out to you and be flexible. This means building your collection over time.
Mathis started collecting Ozark roadside tourist pottery seven years ago. He currently owns 150 pieces of his colorful marble-patterned pottery.
“That's maximalism to me,” Mathis said. “It's about a lot of colors, a lot of patterns. . . . But I tried to do it in a very intentional and selective way.”
Lefevere said her favorite piece is an old pie cabinet with a mesh screen that she painted green to match the kitchen.
“I'm not making pies,” Lefevere says, but the work is “just really cool.”
LeFevere and Mathis agree that it's important to be open to surprising decor but know your tastes. LeFevere goes to Pinterest and saves the image to a Google Doc.
Similarly, Matisse also cut out images from magazines.
He said the fun of maximalist design is the process of discovery.
