.jpg)
If you believe that more is, in fact, more, maximalist decor might just be the interior design style for you. “Maximalist design is a style and aesthetic that leans into the more-is-more mentality,” says Megan Hopp, an interior designer based in New York and founder of Megan Hopp Design. The antithesis of minimalism, maximalist interiors embrace bold use of color, pattern, and layering to create a space that honors and celebrates excess. However, maximalism isn’t just piling everything into a room and calling it a day—it’s as intentional and curated as any other interior design trend. To better understand maximalist interior design, AD spoke with Hopp and other interior designers about this fun, over-the-top look.
What is maximalist interior design?
“If you’ve heard of minimalist design, it’s the opposite,” Hopp says of maximalism. Maximalist interiors often emulate the richer parts of life. It’s a design style rooted in a more-is-more philosophy that will often blend an eclectic mix of patterns, colors, textures, and objects. “Maximalism leans into big and bold decision-making when it comes to color, pattern, texture, shape, and form,” Hopp tells AD. It’s a fun way to put all of your favorite things together in one room and show them off in a striking and playful way.
In recent years, visionaries like AD100 Hall of Famer Kelly Wearstler and AD100 designer Martin Brudnizki have championed the style and brought it further into the spotlight of the interior design zeitgeist. It cannot be denied: We are in the middle of a maximalism moment. “After years of clean, modern—and void of personality, in my opinion—design, we love the warmth, texture, and organic feeling traditional vibes bring to a home,” designer Allison Handler recently told AD. “People want color and they want their homes to tell a story,” added Molly O’Neil of Molly O Interior Design Studio. “It turns out that people are discovering what interior designers have known all along: White and neutrals can easily become too sterile and tip into the boring category.” However, “maximalist design has been around for a long time—think Dorothy Draper and the Greenbriar Resort,” says Charlotte-based interior designer Ashely DeLapp. “It is very much tied to the Hollywood Regency aesthetic with loads of pattern, color, and textures layered together.”
Still, though there is often a lot that goes into a maximalist home, the design style is not cluttered or dirty. “It is not to be confused with over-decorated, cluttered, or dizzyingly busy design,” Hopp notes. If not careful, maximalism can slip into messy, which isn’t the same thing. Don’t worry though, Hopp and DeLapp share design tips below on how to avoid this.
Maximalist interior design ideas
To better understand maximalist design—and get a few decorating ideas—consider these projects for every room in your house.
One way to put “more is more” into practice is by opting for a bold, bright color palette—there is a reason we saw color drenching as one of 2025’s most popular interior design trends. “We’re moving into color-drenched rooms and away from white-on-white everything,” Jade Joyner of Metal + Petal recently told AD. Deeply saturated hues have an inherently strong presence, making them a vital component of maximalist decor. “Burgundy, olive, ochre, and tobacco are defining this era of color confidence,” Joyner explains.
In maximalist decor, every part of a room should become part of the story, explains Mark Schubert, founder and principal designer of M2 Design Lab in Chicago. “Here, saturated pink envelops the walls and ceiling; luxe materials like velvet and brass add depth; and statement lighting elevates the space into something theatrical yet sophisticated,” says Schubert.
No matter where you look in this guest cottage bedroom, a cheerful pattern is sure to catch your eye. “There’s so much pattern play and color that your eyes dance from one moment to the next,” says principal designer Emily Winters Posselt of Peabody’s Interiors in Milwaukee on the maximalist space. The designer paired smaller prints on textiles and window shades with larger-scale patterned wallpaper for just the right amount of contrast. “There are no neutral spaces for your eyes to rest or solid colors to ground the room,” adds Posselt of her decision to build pattern on pattern on pattern.
Playing with contrast is one of the tenets of maximalism—the look is created when varying materials, colors, and patterns juxtapose each other. “We’ve been using materials like mohair and velvet a lot, and our clients are curious about richly textured materials,” designer Sarah Weichel of Swike told AD in 2024. “We’re moving away from boring white linen sofas. If it’s upholstered in a rich velvet or mohair, it immediately adds drama to the space; same with high-pile fur rugs.”
One low-stakes way to introduce a statement? Experiment with accent pillows. “Play with shape, texture, and a little sculptural moment,” designer Carmen René Smith of Aquilo Interiors advised us. “I love throwing in quirky statement pillows like the hand pillows from Haus of Hands; they add dimension, a little humor, and just the right amount of ‘what is that and where do I get one’ energy.”
Not only does a fun patchwork rug (by Annie Selke) anchor this living room, but it also sets the tone and color palette for the entire space. “[It] allowed us to play with every color possible,” says Natalie Owens, founder of Stil James in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Soft, cozy textiles and fabrics create an inviting atmosphere, while wood paneling brings the sightline through the room.
Take a thoughtful approach to layering
“Maximalist design isn’t just about throwing a bunch of styles at the wall and hoping they stick,” says Sam Sacks, principal and founder of Sam Sacks Design in Toronto. Instead, she explains, it’s a thoughtful approach to layering, as seen in this 1800s Georgian farmhouse. Andrew Martin’s Mythical Land wallpaper anchors the entryway, while unexpected elements like a geometric rug add pops of whimsy. “A strong side table, art with scale, or a well-chosen vintage rug keeps the eye focused. When every item has a role, the room reads as bold and confident rather than chaotic,” as Smith puts it.
Maximalism doesn’t end at furniture—far from it. “Walls shouldn’t just sit there; they need to do something,” Smith told AD. “Maybe it’s a deep, enveloping color, a high-gloss lacquer that reflects the light just so, or wallpaper that feels like it was uncovered in a forgotten estate.” Wallpaper is one of the simplest ways to transform a room from ordinary into maximalist—even in small spaces like bathrooms. For that, it’s a popular component of the current maximalist trend. “Wallpaper is huge,” O’Neil told AD. Not only is wallpaper having a moment, it’s gaining momentum. The most popular choices are floral prints and anything with texture, such as sisal.”
“Marbleized wallpaper wraps the entire room, creating an atmosphere of constant movement and visual richness,” says Sarah Stacey, founder and principal designer of Sarah Stacey Interior Design. Furthermore, every detail in the maximalist aesthetic should have presence, as seen here with a mix of antique and contemporary decor. While the room is immersed in a swirling pattern, a low-contrast color palette ensures it feels controlled and harmonious.
Eye-catching light fixtures are another fun way to add a straightforward yet highly effective dose of maximalism to a space. “Lighting should always be a moment, whether it’s an oversized chandelier that feels like a piece of art or sculptural sconces that add a little drama,” Smith told AD. Vintage fixtures offer a fun way to incorporate another era into the mix. “We’ve been leaning into a lot of Murano glass sconces and fixtures,” Weichel observed last year. “It’s reminiscent of the decadent jewelry trend. We also just installed these crazy fringe lights from the ’80s.”
A room with a limited color palette can still be maximalist through texture and pattern. In this kitchen, patterned upholstery drives movement, while copper and wood tones bring warmth. The cobalt blue Murano chandelier is a dramatic centerpiece, thanks to its vibrant color and large scale. “Maximalism thrives on color, layering, and abundance, and this room delivers all three,” says principal designer Stacey.
Bookshelves instantly bring a layered feel to a maximalist space, but they should still be curated intentionally with collectibles instead of adding clutter. “The vibrant turquoise built-ins anchor the space and provide a striking contrast against the metallic, palm-inspired wallpaper,” says Michelle Murphy, founder and principal designer of Demi Ryan in Chapel Hill, of this jewel-tone office. “Layered objects, sculptures, books, art, and personal mementos helped to turn the shelves into a curated gallery,” adds Murphy.
More truly is more in this kitchen designed by DeLapp. Teal cabinetry makes an instant visual impact. While your instinct might be to pair a bright color with more minimalist details, to follow the maximalist aesthetic, this space uses ornate handles.
Not every design decision has to be loud to make an impact in a maximalist design plan. This dining room, designed by DeLap, uses geometric lines and patterns to move the eye around the space. More subtle furniture, like a white lacquered dining table and translucent dining chairs, is the perfect finishing touch to ensure the space remains vibrant but uncluttered. You can see right through the chairs, allowing the yellow cabinetry and monochrome wallpaper to remain focal points.
Maximalist decor can also be achieved through a more neutral color palette. Just opt for patterns in lighter colors and use less contrast, such as in this serene living room by Hopp.
The room where you start and end each day is the perfect palette for a maximalist design plan that sparks joy. To keep the room from feeling cluttered, select textiles and furniture with wide-scale patterns. For example, this bedroom by Hopp uses stripped wallpaper, a high-contrast nightstand, and a checkered lampshade, proving that just a few layered pieces can still make a bold visual impact.
Choosing furniture with extra decorative details adds a maximalist component to a space without taking up any extra room. Designer Martha Mulholland described “a slow return to passementerie” while outlining her 2025 interior design predictions. “A slipper chair with a luxurious fringe is nothing new, but I’m talking cords, tassels, tapes—trimmings beloved by grande dame decorators of the past and rendered obsolete with the emergence of minimalism in all its forms…. [We will be seeing] more moiré, damask, and needlepoint in our future.”
History of maximalist interior design
As far as home decor goes, maximalism is just another word for a phenomenon that’s been around for centuries: the art of displaying the things we love. “Maximalism goes all the way back to the Victorian era, when people were really trying to make a statement in their home as opposed to a more pared down conservative interior design style,” Hopp explains. When you think of stately homes or Versailles interiors, you’re likely imagining an early form of maximalism, all decked out in ornate decor and embellishments just for the sake of embellishments.
.jpg)
Throughout the years, this idea popped up in other interior styles as well. Art Deco in the early 20th century is one of the most commonly cited examples, as was the Hollywood Regency aesthetic which blossomed around the same time. When thinking about maximalism as an aesthetic rooted in excess, the ideals of the style can be seen throughout the Gilded Age and even as early as the Baroque period. And, like many interior styles, the ideas of maximalism aren’t just found in homes and architecture, but across various art forms such as music and the visual arts.
However, though these original interpretations of maximalist style used to be linked to displays of wealth, Hopp says that isn’t the case as much anymore. “I’ve read about how maximalism in fashion in America really came out of the end of World War II as a shift into a period of celebration; women looked to wear exaggerated styles and colors as an expression of joy,” she explains. “That concept rings true to me in a modern sense of interior maximalism where it’s less about creating something impressive and enviable, [and more about] something plain fun and fearless that brings joy to be in.”
Though maximalism of the Victorian era was often accomplished through decor and objects that weren’t accessible to everyone—think jeweled chandeliers or hand-carved furniture—none of this is a necessity for modern interpretations of maximalism. Now largely defined by brighter colors and bolder patterns, the principle of maximalism is easier to incorporate regardless of status or class, making the look both more approachable and gratifying.
Defining elements and characteristics of maximalist interior design
As Hopp says, “Nothing is truly maximalist if the palette is neutral; bright show stopping color is an absolute must.” Perhaps the most important element—and arguably the most fun—is the bold colors and intense scale of the rooms. “Maximalist design should evoke the woah reaction, and that is often because something is just not what you would have ever imagined,” Hopp says, adding that scale is often the most common cause of a wow reaction.
It’s not exhaustive, but consider this list of design elements when planning a maximalist room:
- Bold colors
- Bright wallpaper
- Mixed patterns with contrasting motifs, like animal print, geometric shapes, or florals
- Ornate accents, like chandeliers
- Layered fabrics
- Statement pieces
Of course, it’s also important to remember what maximalism is not: simple, subdued, or understated. “A maximalist design would never incorporate a simple gray couch,” Hopp says. “But rather opt for something very bright, patterned, or interesting in shape.”
How to bring maximalist interior design into your home
According to Smith, “maximalism is about layering statement pieces that flow, creating contrast and playing with scale so the space feels dynamic and visually welcoming…. The key is making sure everything speaks to each other in an interesting way.” Put another way, each element is a piece of a larger conversation within the space—and it can take time to pull that off in a way that feels authentic.
“If you’re thinking of trying the maximalist look, start slowly,” DeLapp advises. “The style can quickly become overwhelming if it’s not edited properly.” By pacing yourself, you avoid veering away from artfully bold into cluttered and messy. “Pick a few patterns that you like, and mix them together through accent pillows, rugs, and wallpaper,” DeLapp suggests. She also recommends picking out a few pieces of vintage furniture and customizing them with a bright colored lacquer. Finding ways to highlight things you love, like a collection of objects or artwork, is another way to incorporate the look into your home. “These are all easy ways to get started and finding unique pieces along the way only adds to the personalized feel,” she says.
And remember: It’s about quality, not quantity. “Create pauses—maximalism doesn’t mean every inch has to be covered; it just means every piece has presence,” Smith explains. “And when it feels like too much? It’s probably just right.”
“Using wallpaper with bold and bright patterns, glossy finished furniture, and a variety of accessories are key to pulling off this look in your home,” DeLapp says. Still, as Hopp explains, if you’re thinking of going maximalist, you must be ready to commit. “Be brave,” she says. “You cannot dip your toes into maximalist design.” In fact, whenever she’s working with a client who expresses an interest in maximalism, if they show a bit of restraint or second-guess the decisions as too big or too much, she’ll often advise they pivot into a much more conservative direction. “Diet maximalism is no good,” she says. “So if you want green in your space, paint it green, not gray green, but green. And while you’re at it, make it high gloss and throw in the trims and ceilings too!”
