Do you follow a ‘less is more’ or a ‘more is more’ philosophy when it comes to decorating your home?
Or, like many of us, do you start out with pure minimalist intentions but somehow drift back into decadent maximalism as gifts, souvenirs and family memorabilia grow into new eclectic collections? Not to worry - both approaches are currently being embraced by interior designers and home decorators alike.
Minimalism
If you find beauty in clean lines and embrace lightly furnished spaces, chances are good that you are a minimalist. With a love of quality over quantity you are happy to live without a showy display of material things.
Focused on a desire to eliminate excess, the simplicity of a minimalist interior brings a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a pale neutral palette, sleek furnishings and an absence of visual noise.
Rooms are pared back with neutral walls, modest furnishings and the absolute minimum of pattern. To soften a possible starkness, minimalism looks best when combined with a limited selection of natural materials and textures and a few purposeful accessories on display. A pale neutral floor with a light texture, such as light oak, whitewashed pine or pale limestone, will effortlessly complement the openness and lack of clutter of minimalism to bring a sense of tranquillity and give an airy impression of space even in small rooms.
Maximalism
Image via Apartment Therapy
On the other hand, if you are drawn to bold colors and mixed patterns and tend to surround yourself with eclectic personal keepsakes and memorabilia, you will love the abundance of maximalism.
Embracing bold warm tones, texture and pattern but without feeling cluttered, a maximalist interior is a lively environment that stimulates the senses and represents a life lived to the fullest. Visually interesting with clever use of color, a maximalist design is ideal if you want to showcase carefully curated collections of objects with personal significance and throw together a profusion of soft furnishings for a cozy welcoming feel.
Maximalist rooms may feature darker walls with bold patterned wallpaper together with various comfortable seating options in luxurious fabrics such as velvet, piled up with mismatched cushions and throws. Flooring in natural, warm wood tones combines well with the vibrancy of maximalism, while also offering a timeless elegance that will prove a versatile choice as color trends change over the years.
Which way does your style lean – towards the mindful serenity of minimalism or wild abandon of maximalism? Share your design choices with us on Instagram!