Style guide
Trending: Maximalism
As 2023 moves away from the minimalist, clean lines and pale palettes that have been warmly welcomed over the past few years, maximalism returns with a vibrant bang, bringing character, personality, and over-the-top-charm back into homes.
29th June 2023
How to incorporate maximalism into your home
With its all or nothing attitude and more is more prerogative, maximalism brings a sense of freedom and celebrates eccentricity.
Loud, daring and busy, the trend allows the integration of visually interesting but clashing pieces, bringing them together to create an eclectic masterpiece.
We asked singer, style icon and maximalist queen, Paloma Faith for her take on maximalism ahead of the launch of her Paloma Home range with ScS, who urged us to “revive your old grandma chic” and take heed from those who notably like to collect and display interesting things.
Here are my predictions and top tips for achieving the maximalist look in your home:
1. Walls and art
Walls covered by cool greys and pretty pastels will now be swapped for succulent saturated colours, bringing a bolder aesthetic than the subdued tones to which we have recently become accustomed.
Rich shades such as burgundy, and moody blue hues will adorn walls, accompanied by busy prints, layered patterns and diverse textures.
A look that should be offensive to the senses but somehow isn’t.
Decorative designs such as borders and stencilling are predicted to make a comeback, offering an easy, budget-friendly way to revive rooms and add personality to a space.
New, modern designs have banished the cringe-worthy patterns of previous fashions, and replaced them with refined art-deco motifs.
I love how Instagram user, @number.76_ used bordering on the ceiling to add further impact to a beautifully bold blue living room.
Image credit: @number.76_
2. Statement sofas
The art of maximalism is supported by statement pieces of frivolous furniture, injecting fun and colour into rooms - a contrast to the neutral and ‘safe’ shades we would have sensibly chosen.
Add a brilliant burst of blue with the Hoxton in Malia Marine, which oozes opulence and carries a mid-century inspired charm through fabulous velvet fabric, pin-tuck details and slim tapered legs.
Also available in another four inspiring colours, including a gorgeous teal green.
Bring the outside in and add some beautiful botanical vibes to your living space with the Ferndale Chaise in Paradise Collection Green.
Making the most of your space with a chaise, the Ferndale offers an old-style yet opulent design with luxurious velvet fabric and tapered legs, finished with leafy design scatter cushions.
If you want to give your living room an extra edge, try a piece from our Paloma Home range.
Packed with personality, the range encapsulates maximalism, throwing together statement animal prints with bright accent cushions, bold floral motifs and contrasting colours, capturing Paloma’s staple statement style.
Spiced up by Paloma Home
Boudoir by Paloma Home
Tip: You needn’t invest in a big piece of furniture to partake in the trend.
Take inspiration from our Paloma Home range and try achieving the look with a collection of mismatching cushions on a sofa, or add a footstool or throw in a contrasting colour or print.
Take a look at Paloma’s range of cushions to create a curious arrangement of mis-match heaven!
3. Cluttercore
After years of being taught to hide things away, the revival of maximalism and ‘cluttercore’ encourages us to show off our sentimental objects, with accessories, trinkets and nostalgic items appearing on sideboards and being used to embellish over-decorated rooms.
A style which has taken on many forms and existed through different times – from the famously eclectic Victorians who displayed every oddity and ornament they could afford – to a now modern and modest take on the trend, this time around, maximalism has less emphasis on ‘stuff’ and more on meaningful pieces, carefully placed around the home.
The idea of cluttercore is to feel at home surrounded by your own sentimental treasurers.
This trend is certainly one which forgives an offbeat style, which, as Paloma echoes, look better with pieces curated together to create a collection of visual interest.
“If you have them all together, no one will notice if you have some weird bits in there!”
I love the mis-match pieces and clever plant placement in this home office space by Instagram user @ourlayeredhome.
Image credit: @ourlayeredhome
Tip: If you don’t have the space or budget to invest in a cabinet to house your accessories, try adding a few shelves instead.
Create the essence of height in a room by fixing shelves higher on a wall.
4. Fun flooring
Amidst the fun and organised chaos of maximalism, it can be easy to forget your flooring!
Flooring is a great tool to use for your maximalism transformation.
From wild print carpet, to patterned tiles and vinyl, or jazzy rugs – the floor is yours.
Go animal with some roar-some carpet to add a real style statement or the beautiful designs of the Gemstone Garnet Vinyl for an elegant old-time feel.
If new flooring is pushing the budget a bit, a lively rug can make a big impact without the commitment.
Try the distressed metallic look of the Aurora Rug for an alternative edge or brave the bright, opulent tones of the Milo Rug.
Portobello by LLB
5. Luxury lighting
The last step to achieving the maximalist look is luxury lighting.
The over-arching atmosphere which maximalism aims to create is that of grandeur, and lighting is an all-important element for creating an indulgent ambience.
In true maximalist style, the rule around lighting is to go big and bold.
Throw caution to the wind with something striking and bright, such as a stunning chandelier, or some eye-catching lamps.
Don’t be afraid to add some interesting textures, such as the fluffy features of our Angel Tripod Floor Lamp with Grey Feathers.
For something more visually stimulating, I'd recommend adding something abstract such as our Athos Gold Glass Table Lamp, or inject a pop of colour with our Capri Glass Table Lamp with teal shade.
Athos Gold Table Lamp
Angel Tripod Floor Lamp
Maximalism embraces fun and frivolity, celebrating homes bursting with personality.
Whether you’re ready to throw yourself in at the over-decorated deep end or dip your toes in with some expressive art and accessories – have funmaking your space your own.
Get some inspiration for your maximalist makeover by taking a look at our favourite colourful sofas.
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