Mastering Maximalism: Style Variations, Color Stories & Artful Living
- Cici
- Jul 31
- 7 min read
Maximalism isn’t just a design aesthetic—it’s a way of living with intention, curiosity, and depth. At its core, it celebrates abundance: of color, texture, pattern, and personality. It’s about choosing expression over restraint, story over silence, and richness over reduction.
But maximalism is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Some spaces evoke a deep, moody elegance with dramatic palettes and layered ornamentation. Others lean light and airy, filled with botanical prints, painterly fabrics, and cheerful, collected pieces. Some maximalist rooms revolve around art and gallery walls, while others focus on material richness—brass, velvet, lacquer, silk.
In this post, we’ll explore the many expressions of maximalist design—from refined and romantic to bold and eclectic. We’ll look at how color plays a central role, how different substyles reflect unique personalities, and how mastering maximalism today is less about clutter and more about composition. Whether your style is glam, bohemian, modern, or a bit of everything, this is a deep dive into creating interiors that feel meaningful, masterful, and completely your own.
What Is Maximalism? A Style with Substance
Traditionally, maximalism was the counterpoint to minimalism’s bare restraint. It embraced layers of pattern, ornate details, saturated colors, and an abundance of art, textiles, and accessories. Think of it as visual storytelling—walls that speak, sofas that suggest history, rooms that spark curiosity.
But today’s maximalism isn’t about collecting for the sake of collecting. It’s more curated than crowded. More expressive than excessive. In many ways, it’s the design world’s response to the uniform beige minimalism of the past decade—an unapologetic return to color, character, and comfort.
Modern Maximalism: A New Expression
Modern maximalism tones down the visual weight without losing the drama. Clean-lined furniture and sculptural forms are paired with statement art, bold hues, or playful textiles. Spaces feel rich but breathable—designed with restraint and rhythm.
It’s not uncommon to see a saturated velvet sofa floating in an otherwise airy room, or a minimalist layout punctuated by an oversized gallery wall. It’s about balance: letting a few key pieces speak loudly while the rest of the room listens in quiet support.
Shop The Look
Shop Valentina Square Coffee Table, White Carrara Marble @ One Kings Lane
Shop Uma Side Table @ Bergdorf Goodman
Shop Darcy Daybed @ Anthropologie
The Rise of Color Drenching
One of the most defining elements of maximalist design in 2025? Color drenching. This technique involves saturating an entire room—walls, ceilings, trim, and sometimes cabinetry—in a single bold hue or tonal palette.
Deep emerald, burnt coral, and inky navy are favorites in moodier schemes.
In lighter maximalist spaces, you’ll see buttery yellow, celadon green, and rosy peach used in full-volume.
The result is immersive, theatrical, and often surprisingly elegant.
Color drenching also helps unify maximalist elements—tying together mismatched art, vintage finds, and sculptural furnishings into a coherent whole.
Start by selecting your Paint or Wallcovering then add in coordinating Color
Shop Bobbin Crimson LED Table Lamp @ Anthropologie
Shop Amoret Swivel Chair @ Anthropologie
Shop Seltzer Blue Glass Table Lamp @ Anthropologie
Maximalism by Style: Choose Your Flavor
✦ Light & Airy Maximalism
Not all maximalist rooms are moody or dramatic. This version favors natural light, white or pastel backdrops, and soft layering. Think:
Botanical wallpaper
Rattan or cane furniture
Layered textiles in citrus, sage, or blush tones
Oversized floral arrangements and colorful curated art
This style often feels cheerful and welcoming—perfect for sun-drenched dining areas or breakfast nooks.
Shop The Look
Shop Hagen Hattie Floral Dining Chair @ Anthropologie
Shop Rose Garden Wall Art @ Anthropologie
Shop Celine Lana Modular Armless Sofa @ Anthropologie
✦ Eclectic Maximalism
This is what we typically think of when we think maximalism, it thrives on contrast: mixing eras and styles into something entirely unique. Eclectic maximalism also invites you to take risks. It’s not afraid of clashing prints, unconventional color pairings, or offbeat proportions.
In this image you’ll notice all the hallmarks:
A bold palette of colors layered against graphic black-and-white
A sculptural ottoman beside a statement chair in a dotted, almost pop-art textile
A gallery wall where art is the story, not the accessory
This style is energetic and curated. It should feel like the designer had fun—because they did.
More than any other style, eclectic maximalism gives you permission to layer boldly and design with your gut. It’s the visual equivalent of a great dinner party: a little unexpected, wildly engaging, and full of stories.
Shop The Look
Shop Orlando Crystal Coffee Table @ Bergdorf Goodman
Shop Lulu Madeline Jacquard Swivel Chair @ Anthropologie
✦ Art-Focused Maximalism
Let the art lead. This style revolves around creative expression—whether that’s abstract canvases, vintage posters, or salon-style frame groupings.
Gallery walls take center stage, often mixing mediums, sizes, and framing styles
Furniture is kept soft and neutral to let the artwork shine
Accents—like patterned pillows and layered textiles—echo the colors or themes from the art
It’s a style that feels personal and lived-in, where every piece contributes to the overall visual rhythm. Art isn’t just decoration here—it’s the anchor.
Shop The Concept
Shop Umbrella Couple 2 People @ Anthropologie
Shop Eloise the Raccoon Gallery Wall Charm @ Anthropologie
Shop Matrix Art @ Z Gallerie
✦ Boho Maximalism
Boho maximalism doesn’t follow rules—it follows feeling. It’s layered and expressive, often rooted in personal history, creativity, and wanderlust. But it’s important to note: this isn’t a monolith. Boho maximalism can lean in several directions, all equally intentional.
It might be the classic more relaxed "hippy" version:
Vintage fabrics, natural fibers, layered rugs
Woven wall hangings, fringe details, macramé
An abundance of plants, stacked books, artisan ceramics
Global finds from travels—Moroccan lanterns, Turkish kilims, hand-thrown pottery
Or it might lean more luxe, romantic, and tactile, as shown in this bedroom image:
Lush velvet upholstery in jewel tones
Botanical mural wallpaper or scenic textiles as backdrop
Layered embroidered pillows, kantha throws, and silk or linen bedding
A mix of vintage wood furniture, brass lighting, and organic florals spilling over vases
Both versions feels collected over time—artful, a little wild, and deeply personal. The structure may be traditional, but the styling is freeform.
Boho maximalism is especially suited to bedrooms and lounge spaces, where comfort and creativity collide. It invites you to blur the lines between old and new, decorative and functional, precious and playful.
Shop The Concept
Shop House of Hackney Florika Lampshade @ Anthropologie
Shop Willoughby Bed @ Anthropologie
Shop Jylin Woven Delaney Chair @ Anthropologie
✦ Glam Maximalism
This take on maximalism is all about opulence and polish, combining rich textures with theatrical flair.
Think luxe textiles and materials:
Velvet, silk, lacquer, mirrored surfaces
Gold-leaf frames, crystal chandeliers, jewel-tone upholstery
Bold contrasts—like zebra prints paired with polished brass, or glossy black lacquer next to lavish florals.
This version leans elegant and upscale, with a bit of old-Hollywood or Parisian flair. It’s drama done with precision. Every detail is deliberate, from the placement of a gilded mirror to the way velvet catches the light. Glam maximalism feels decadent and confident—its designed to impress.
Shop The Look
Shop Pooky The Lottie Striped Ceramic Table Lamp @ Anthropologie
Shop Aapo Petite Accent Chair @ Anthropologie
Shop Norma Jeane Pendant Light @ Bergdorf Goodman
✦ Bachelor Pad Maximalism
Masculine but not minimalist. This version is bold, art-forward, and often moody.
Leather, brass, rich woods
Oversized photography or edgy abstract art
Dark walls, sculptural lighting, and bold furniture with clean lines
It’s layered, but with a confident, graphic aesthetic.
Shop Leon Coronado Plaque @ Z Gallerie
Shop Velvet Pamela Accent Chair @ Anthropologie
Shop Caracas 16-Light Chandelier @ Bergdorf Goodman
✦ Elegant French Maximalism
A more ornate, historically grounded take on the trend:
Gilded moldings, carved wood, chinoiserie wallpaper
Marble-topped furniture and floral tapestries
Architectural Details: Trim, Crown, Moulding, Paneling
Romantic lighting and classic symmetry
This is where classicism and storytelling meet. It’s the maximalist version of quiet luxury—with a French twist.
Maximalist Color Palettes in 2025
Across all maximalist styles, color is the connective tissue. The trend leans toward:
Jewel tones: Emerald, sapphire, amethyst, ruby
Earthy pigments: Terracotta, ochre, clay, moss
Unexpected brights: Chartreuse, marigold, orchid, ultramarine
Soft but rich tones: Dusty rose, celadon, buttercream, fig
Mixing bold and soft tones in the same space creates complexity and warmth. Anchoring those palettes with repetition—through rugs, artwork, and accessories—is key to cohesion.
Shop Icon Side Table - Peacock Edition @ Anthropologie
Shop Wilshire 13-Light LED Chandelier @ Bergdorf Goodman
Shop Grecian Bust Table Lamp @ Anthropologie
Mastering Maximalism & Making it Work in Real Life
This isn’t a style for clutter or chaos—it’s for curation.
Layer with intention: Focus on repetition (color, shape, material) to create rhythm
Let some space breathe: You don’t have to fill every wall or surface
Mix high and low: Pair vintage treasures with new finds; it adds depth and soul
Use built-ins and backdrops: Bookcases, wallpaper, painted paneling help ground the look
Trust your instincts: If it makes you smile or sparks curiosity, it belongs
Maximalism is emotional. That’s the point.
Closing Thoughts: Artful Living ~ A More Personal Way to Live
Maximalism isn’t about showing off—it’s about showing yourself. Whether you lean bright and breezy or rich and romantic, it’s a style that invites you to celebrate your personality, passions, and past.
In a world of algorithm-approved beige boxes, maximalism stands out as deeply human. Messy. Beautiful. And completely yours.
Love the style but not sure how to incorporate it into your home? That’s where we come in. For more in-depth interior design services, see the note from Cici below & visit our Interior Design Studio Cley Atelier.
Cant get enough of Maximalism? - Here are some more reading options:
Shop Behind The Blue Door @ Bergdorf Goodman
Shop "Everything" A Maximalist Style Guide @ Amazon
Shop Maximalism: By Sig Bergamin @ Amazon
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