Maximalist decor is bold, vibrant and eccentric but can easily get out of hand if not thoughtfully curated. If maximalism has transformed your home from fun and funky to downright gaudy, there’s a way to get things under control while still embracing this unique design style. 

“Maximalist decor is inherently busy with its abundance—of patterns, objects, pieces of furniture and more,” said David Mann, founder and principal of MR Architecture & Decor in New York. With some effort, you can even incorporate other types of decor settings, like minimalism, within a home outfitted in maximalism. “To appreciate the eccentric nature of maximalism, include objects that are typically overlooked … like items full of humor, knowledge and wit.” 

Curating your collection based on similarities like color, theme or style can help tone down an abundantly busy space, as can adjusting lighting and embracing neutral areas within your home. Follow along for more ways to embrace maximalism in a meaningful and less-cluttered way.

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Create Balance

“To tone down maximalism without compromising personal style, focus on maintaining a cohesive color scheme and balancing patterns with a selective approach. Carefully curate decor items with personal significance and thoughtfully arrange furniture to ensure a harmonious flow. Embrace the principles of decluttering for streamlined spaces. By implementing these strategies, it is possible to create a more balanced and personalized environment that reflects one’s style while avoiding the overwhelming aspects of maximalist decor.

“Try to appreciate the eccentric nature of maximalism and that such collections often include objects that are typically overlooked. A harmonious coexistence of maximalism and minimalism can be achieved in a household if you designate specific areas for each style while ensuring they complement rather than clash. 

“Integrate rich textures in maximalist areas and minimalist textures in others, creating a balanced visual experience. Carefully consider the placement of items, introducing transitional zones to facilitate a gradual shift between styles. Edit and curate collections periodically to avoid clutter.”

—David Mann, founder and principal of MR Architecture & Decor in New York City

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Adjust Lighting

“You can emphasize some maximalist decor with lighting and hide other aspects of it. For example, a wall lamp can illuminate a busy painting or picture, while a table lamp or accent lighting can be adjusted to show things differently at different times. If you have a lot of decor with different colors and textures with patterns, this allows you to choose what you want to showcase. 

“Try to stick with three basic colors for your maximalism, while picking furniture that is monotonous and calming that can easily pair with bright patterns. If there are items that have additional colors, they can be placed further away from busy areas or removed altogether to avoid overkill in the interiors.”

—Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at home improvement and interior design platform Planner 5D, based in Lithuania. 

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Show Restraint

“As a designer and art collector, I consider myself a ‘curated maximalist.’ I don’t view maximalism as excess, but rather I embrace maximalism as a means of celebrating the beauty that I see in the world and showcasing a life well-lived for myself and my clients. That said, without a strategic eye, the style can become chaotic and overstimulating. Every piece of art, decor or furniture needs to move the design forward in a meaningful way. Maximalism is all about quality and selected restraint.

“You can definitely dip your toe in different levels of maximalism. One way is to take a monochromatic approach and curate items by color. Another option is to select just a couple of objects or star fabrics that will really shine in the space. Another successful application of the concept is to marry patterns and create a conversation with the art in the room.

“Discipline is vital to the success of maximalism. When something is not working toward your big-picture goals, consider editing to provide space for the right pieces. When curating, pay close attention to scale and proportion to find interesting interactions and commonalities. For example, creating harmony in fabric selections will create a visual subplot within the space and take the focus off of the impact of one individual item. This strategy helps cast everything as more of an ensemble group. You can foil maximalist architecture by cutting it with more minimal, design-forward items. This creates restful moments for times when more is not more.”

—James Yarosh, interior designer and gallerist at James Yarosh Associates in New Jersey

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Creating Calming Areas

“With a maximalist design aesthetic, it is hard for individual artwork and pieces to shine as the result is a space that lacks cohesion. The eye doesn’t know where to focus and it can not only feel overwhelming but that the objects themselves are not as special as they are. From a design perspective, not every room in your home must have the exact same design aesthetic. A maximalist study or office could exist in a house that has an overall minimalist design. It’s memorable to create constraints that are unexpected.

“I generally recommend toning down bedrooms and any formal entertaining spaces. Maximalist design has weight to it and I think it can be felt by you and your guests. I don’t think you want to feel the heaviness in spaces that should be calm. Maximalist design is great for personal spaces that may help you evoke memories and fuel your creative spirit. A wall of eclectic finds from world travels provides memories that have stories to share with guests or even as personal reminders of the amazing places you have been.”

—Bradley Schmidt, an interior designer and real estate agent with FI Real Estate in Miami

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