Maximalism — Method to the vibrant madness

Custom interior design by Kim Pearson Interior Design & Decoration at Claremont. Photo credit: Jody D’Arcy.

Though it may seem a visual shock compared to its pared-back minimalist counterpart, maximalism is a bold way of injecting colour, life and personality into the home.

“Maximalism is all about mixing and layering patterns, colours and statement pieces for a wow factor,” freelance stylist Clare Ryan said.

“You could transform any room size into a maximalist dream but normally, the room with the most impact would be the biggest room or living area, purely because you can introduce more elements into it.

“Focus on design features like bright and bold colours or animal prints, and introduce a mix of shapes with furniture and meaningful accessories.

“You’ll also want lots of different and interesting textures like velvet or boucle.”

Contrary to popular belief, maximalism does not equal mess.

“Maximalism can be done in a very ordered fashion,” Kim Pearson Interior Design & Decoration Founder and Principal Kim Pearson said. “A good starting point is art, as it is something people are comfortable with using to introduce colour and patterns.

“If you have an existing neutral space, the introduction of colour through art can be quite powerful.”

Ms Pearson provided a method to the madness, giving tips on how to present your treasured possessions in an attractively maximalist way.

“You should be layering your favourite pieces so they can be seen,” she said. “One rule of thumb is to use odd numbers in a group – you could have a group of three items, and you should think about the scale, proportion and the relationship of each item to the other.

“Bookshelves are wonderful to not only stow your books vertically but also in piles.

“Then, on top of a little stack, you could place a beautiful object or a framed photo.”

According to Ms Ryan, there is a fine line between maximalist and clutter, which homeowners should be mindful of.

“You’re creating a space full of curated pieces which not only make you happy but also add something to the room,” she said. “If it doesn’t make you happy, take it away.

“The space still needs to be relaxing for you, so if you’re finding it is overwhelming, chances are you need to remove a few items.”

As it appeared in the 2024 November edition of The West Australian’s New Homes liftout.