What Is Maximalist Home Decor? The Colorful Aesthetic, Explained

Hear, hear! Calling all the material girls to the table to chat about a phenomenon that is taking over TikTok and at present, all 130 square feet of my living room. You’ve probably heard of minimalist decor — a type of interior design defined by neutral colors and uncluttered spaces — but the latest buzzing conversation is all about maximalism, or, maximalist decor.

Quite the opposite of clear, open spaces but still 100% intentional in its makeup is maximalist home decor. Telltale signs of maximalism include full gallery walls, vintage knickknacks, and a flair for the unconventional in regards to outlandish paint colors and one-of-a-kind furniture. Further proof of the bold, funky trend is the hashtag #MaximalistDecor having amassed a staggering 40.7 million views on TikTok.

“This style is far from shy and is unapologetically bold,” says San Francisco-based interior designer Ariel Magidson. In contrast to the minimally-decorated apartments seen in recent “that girl aesthetic” videos across social media, maximalism is a vibrant, eye-catching, playful breath of fresh air. It’s a style you don’t see every day but when you do, it’s a direct expression of the person who designed it. To understand the multi-print layers of maximalist decor, we spoke to a few interior design experts who either know a lot about the trend or live in specially curated maximalist homes and (thankfully) share them with the rest of the world via TikTok.

Here’s a quick peek into what a home decked out in maximalist decor can look like:

What Is Maximalist Home Decor?

Maximalist home decor, by nature, can be defined in a myriad of ways. “To put it simply, maximalism is a risk-taking interior design style that embodies the ‘more-is-more’ mindset. It’s all about mixing bold patterns, bright colors, unexpected textures, and contains a lot of intricate details,” San Diego-based interior designer Liz Lovery tells Bustle.

Manda Hansen (@mandacreatespretty on TikTok) also gave her take on the trend, being a maximalist decorator herself and posting regular content of her dreamy, ultra-colorful home. In other words, there is no shortage of splashy, sparkly eye-catchers to be found in every corner of her Washington-based place — a true example of maximalist decor at its finest.

“Maximalist home decor embodies all things colorful, fun, eclectic, and bold. There are no rules in maximalism — and that’s the magic,” Hansen tells Bustle. “You’ll see multiple home design eras mixed together, layered patterns, and lots of decor pieces all throughout the space.” See below: Hansen’s bubblegum-pink happy place.

The Maximalist Aesthetic On TikTok

Interior designers and longtime maximalists alike have devoted whole accounts to educating their followers on the intricacies of maximalist decor, all while inspiring viewers with unprecedented ways to step up their decorating game. Melbourne-based creative duo Josh & Matt (@joshandmattdesign on TikTok) are notable members of the maximalist community and trendsetters in the space. Their videos on the ‘Tok are consistently colorful and get down to brass tacks on their poppy furniture finds, museum-worthy chair collection, and ambient lighting tips. The common denominator? Fun, visually stimulating pieces that complement the others’ eclectic qualities seemingly by coincidence.

“Maximalism is an opportunity to really explore your personality in a broader range of facets and inject it into your home. There are a lot of different interpretations of maximalism but ours leans towards curated maximalism where we try to fuse together elements we love from both maximalism and minimalism,” the duo tells Bustle. “We love playing around with color blocking and texture...the key is to have fun and embrace the journey, as maximalism is all about experimentation.”

Another share-worthy TikTok account centered around maximalist decor is @weeny_victorian_house which packs a punch on the For You Page with lush indoor plants, leopard print stairs, and an otherworldly collection of gold-framed wall art.

Sarah from @ahometomakeyousmile is a UK-based content creator in the maximalist community who shares her take on maximalism with a relaxed twist. Think billowy layers of taffy-colored pastels, florals everywhere, and rare tchotchkes all around. Fluffy, aesthetically-pleasing dog preferred but not required.

How To Decorate Your Home Like A Maximalist

So how exactly does one dip their toe into the proverbial pool of maximalism? Interior, fashion, and print designer Dani Dazey — who designed and renovated a motel with uber-famous drag queen Trixie Mattel on the latest Discovery Plus show, Trixie Motel — has a few suggestions.

“If you’re ready to go full-on maximalist, choose two to four colors and build a room around that. Tie the same colors in as many times as you can until they all make sense together. If you don’t like it, you can always paint it back!” Dazey tells Bustle.

As mentioned prior, Lovery recommends sticking to the rule of three, meaning no more than three of each of the following elements: Patterns, colors, and textures. She also advises mixing the old with the new, telling Bustle, “My favorite way to do this is to use modern furniture with antique or vintage-inspired accent pieces. Whether it’s using unlacquered brass fixtures, a ruffled lamp shade, or even an antique picture frame, mixing old and new decor adds contrast and visual interest to a space — not to mention great conversation starters!”

Plus, four ways to add character to your home from eclectic maximalist Charlsie of @aleagueofherhome on TikTok: