Minimalism vs Maximalism Décor

 Harriet Goodacre Harriet Goodacre

January 09, 2024

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Maximalism moodboard

Minimalist and maximalist décor represent two extremes on the design spectrum. Yet despite their drastic differences, both are so consistent in their effective finishes. Whether you’re drawn to the boldness of maximalism or the understated elegance of minimalist home décor, we’re here to guide you through these two design trends. Join us as we explore minimalist and maximalist décor, offering insights on how to create each distinctive style.

What is minimalist décor?

The design style of minimalism is defined as minimising excess and perpetuating the ideology that less is more. In minimalist décor, the goal is to create a seamlessly stripped-back design where practical elements are hidden behind minimal furnishings.

 With our lives becoming busier, minimalist home décor has gained popularity, offering a sense of calm amidst the chaos. In a world where technology keeps our minds switched on, an interior of clarity and order allows us to feel at ease in a hectic modern life and appreciate the simple things.

 A minimalist home décor is often associated with a muted colour palette of whites and other neutral colours. The focus of this interior trend is to achieve a sense of calm and contentment without needing to excessively decorate or fill a space. Despite the subdued colours and minimal accessories, there are various ways to achieve minimalist home décor and express individuality through this interior design trend.

How to create a minimalist home décor

A minimalist interior revolves around the residents and their needs. To create a minimalist home décor start by identifying what is essential in your home and build from there.

A montage of a minimalist decor styled around the Linear Bone Matt tiles

Tiles: Linear Bone Matt
 Pampas Grass – The Luxury House Plant Club
 Vases – notonthehighstreet.com
 Lamp – decorharrogate.co.uk

 In this minimalist home décor look, we opted for the light muted tones of the Linear Bone Matt tile and paired them with unfussy furnishings such as wooden units that have smooth circle openings instead of handles. The use of the off-white Linear Bone tile paired with beige countertops creates a warm and comforting space. To keep the look clean, we added muted accessories such as pampas grass and cream vases and lamps. Remember, minimalist home décor is not about creating an empty space, rather it is about being thoughtful in the design process and moving away from excess.

What is maximalist décor?

In contrast to minimalism, maximalist décor wholeheartedly embraces abundance, eccentricity, patterns, colours, textures, and boldness. It thrives on the clashing of colours and layering textures upon textures, to create an eclectic attention-grabbing design.

 A maximalist colour palette is vast offering a spectrum of colours that aren’t just confined to the loud and lairy shades. It can be deep and sultry or bright and bouncy, particularly if the space is bountiful in patterns and pieces that tell a story. This is the essence of maximalism.

How to create a maximalist home décor

To some, maximalist home décor might seem like a collection of miscellaneous items, but in reality, this interior trend is carefully curated. Begin by determining the type of maximalist style you prefer and the overall look you want to achieve. Starting with a colour scheme can be a great initial step. With these thoughts in mind, you can begin to curate your masterpiece. Over time you can build up your décor and experiment to find out what suits you best. The beauty of the maximalism décor trend lies in its ongoing nature—there are endless opportunities for exploration.

 In this maximalist home décor look, we have opted for the Metro Forest tile and paired it with the Nordbon Nogal tile. To enhance these earthy tones, we’ve drawn inspiration from the tropical aesthetic, incorporating botanical-inspired pieces to seamlessly bring the look together. It might be wacky to some but it works. Maximalism tells a story with the space evolving over time. This is just the start, clash prints with paints and add texture to surfaces. Make the space your own and if it means something to you, it deserves to be displayed.

Tiles: Metro Forest and Nordbon Nogal
 Wallpaper: muralswallpaper.com
 Cushion: dunelm.com
 Chair: dunelm.com

Maximalist and minimalist home décor cater to different preferences, and people tend to lean towards one or the other. However, you can also blend the two trends by introducing a touch of maximalism to a corner of a space or incorporating design elements inspired by minimalism. In either case, use these design styles to your advantage and tailor the design to suit your preferences to create a space that you are proud of.

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