Why is maximalism popular again?

Maximalism is having a moment. Here’s why everyone is loving bold, eclectic interiors right now

Even Marie Kondo has finally relented: in an interview earlier this year, she said that her home is messy but apt for her current stage in life. Unsurprisingly, trying to maintain an ultra-tidy house while raising three children and running a thriving business does not spark joy. The rest of us have also leaned into self-indulgent “goblin mode” to varying degrees, and there’s an acceptance that a layered, lived-in home is more comfortable, not to mention authentic.

This is a marked shift from the polished perfection that was the height of aspiration over the last decade. The dominance of Scandinavian minimalism perpetuated the myth that a pared-back look is best, but it seems that less is not always more. Today, there is a collective desire to inject more colour, pattern and texture into our interiors, and for our spaces to reflect our imperfect lives.

Above Palm motifs applied to an entertainment den that reference the garden’s verdant greenery (Photo: Design Intervention)

The pandemic may have had something to do with this. “We’ve all spent a lot more time at home than we ever planned to, and that’s led to a closer evaluation of how we want these spaces to make us feel,” says Natalia Miyar, a London-based designer and founder of Natalia Miyar Atelier. “The pandemic was a bleak and worrying time, so I think the explosion of colour and maximalist design that we are seeing is in response to feeling much happier about the world. To me, maximalism is a celebration of what it is to feel alive.”

Nikki Hunt, founder of award-winning firm Design Intervention in Singapore, concurs. “Post-Covid, health and well-being have become increasingly important. People are abandoning the pursuit of perfection and prioritising happiness. Eclectic design enables the creation of spaces that are personal and reflect the myriad interests and experiences of the people who inhabit them.”

Our new post-pandemic lifestyle is informing the desire for more characterful sanctuaries, but the fact is that minimalism was a stretch to achieve from the start. “In this day and age, where life is fast-paced and so technologically driven, people want to escape to an oasis that physically reflects them. Ultimately, no life is stark and minimal, which has led to a shift away from minimalism,” says Elliot Barratt, CEO of Elliot James Interiors, which has worked on projects in Singapore, London and Dubai.

The pendulum swing to maximalism is also a rejection of the decluttering movement that shamed anyone who owned more crockery than needed for a dinner party. Today, possessions are seen as a reflection of one’s life, just as they should be. “People want to be surrounded by things that resonate on a personal level; often this means piles of books, trinkets from holidays and events, flowers from the garden and artwork collected over time,” says Martin Brudnizki, the founder of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. “These tell the story of our lives, and there is something very comforting about being surrounded by it. But of course, in order to design a room filled with ‘stuff’, you need to be able to bring it together in a way that doesn’t look uncalculated.”

Whether it is a restaurant or a retail outlet, most of us identify with places that have a homely quality, which is why even public spaces have been increasingly favouring an eclectic approach to design. “People tend to relate more naturally to spaces which are warm and inviting; there is cosiness created by interiors that aren’t sparse or clinical,” says Tom Parker, director and co-founder of Fettle, a London-based boutique firm that recently completed The Georgian, an art deco-style building and hotel in California.

The Dining Room restaurant at The Georgian Hotel in California features vibrant pops of colour and original design details such as large arched doorways and crown mouldings (Photo: Fettle)

Above The Dining Room restaurant at The Georgian Hotel in California features vibrant pops of colour and original design details such as large arched doorways and crown mouldings (Photo: Fettle)

People tend to relate more naturally to spaces which are warm and inviting, and there is cosiness created by interiors that aren’t sparse or clinical.

- Tom Parker, Co-founder and director of Fettle -

Above With its whimsical bright red keybox, the hotel’s reception area looks like a tableau from a Wes Anderson movie (Photo: Fettle)

Above A view of The Georgian’s captivating turquoise-hued art deco facade at sunset (Photo: Fettle)

The influence of social media shouldn’t be ignored, either. Getting people to remember a place or at least point their camera phones in that direction is paramount. The more maximalist it is, the higher the likelihood of it appearing on Instagram or TikTok. Brudnizki is an expert at creating a design moment made for the social media era.

From the decadent botanical redesign of legendary nightclub Annabel’s in London to the flashy, under-the-sea interiors at Sexy Fish Miami, Brudnizki’s spaces have a wow factor that gets the conversation going. His practice has popularised the use of glamorous materials in unexpected places—think hand-carved pink onyx bathroom sinks—as well as show-stopping feature walls clad in de Gournay wallpaper or thousands of glittering mosaic tiles.

“I love the idea that an interior can provide a sense of escapism; a touch of fantasy and an outlet in which you can experiment and be playful. With commercial projects, it’s easier to create this sense of drama as they’re not spaces you live in on a day-to-day basis. However, you’re able to recreate a sense of whimsy and escapism in residential design, it’s just done with a different approach,” says Brudnizki.

The power of maximalism is on full display at The Twenty Two, a show-stopping hotel and members’ club in London’s Mayfair neighbourhood, which was Miyar’s first hotel project. “At The Twenty Two, we were really adventurous with the wall coverings and interiors, which you can do in a hotel as it’s not a space you will be sleeping in night after night,” she says.

In Casa Palmarito, a historical villa in Miami’s Coral Gables that Miyar now calls home, she was able to showcase how an eclectic approach can apply to a residential context. “Every time I set foot in this place, I am filled with joy. It’s a riot of rich jewel tones, warm woods, vibrant metals, vintage chandeliers and many of my most treasured Latin American works of art that I have collected or had passed down to me. I would say the house is very much a reflection of me and my Miami-Cuban heritage.”

The Twenty Two hotel’s Heritage Suite is replete with palatial touches such as a bespoke Moghul-inspired mosaic wallpaper (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

Above The Twenty Two hotel’s Heritage Suite is replete with palatial touches such as a bespoke Moghul-inspired mosaic wallpaper (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

Above The sumptuous pink bar in the Rose Room at London members’ club Annabel’s (Photo: Martin Brudnizki Design Studio)

Above The seating around the bar in the Rose Room at Annabel’s (Photo: Martin Brudnizki Design Studio)

For homeowners who are toying with going in the same direction, the question remains: How do you create an eclectic interior you won’t tire of? A simple starting point would be to experiment with furniture and art. “We’ve always encouraged our clients to use statement pieces to create an impact. I would say clients seem more receptive to our ‘out-of the-box’ ideas these days,” says Barratt.

“We recently produced a statement five-metre curved sofa in deep green velvet for a double-height penthouse in Singapore. Although initially apprehensive due to the size of the piece, the clients now love how it transforms the entire space.” Hunt, whose work is known for its exuberant colours and patterns, urges clients to trust their instincts. “My biggest tip is to pick what you love. There is no right or wrong with design. If you love it, it’s gotta be right!”

That said, Hunt explains that there’s a need to create a cohesive element—a visual thread that runs through the space—as well as to strive for balance. For instance, energetic hues have to be paired with neutral tones to ensure harmony. The same goes for pattern and texture, which she says should also be offset with negative space so the eye can rest. One of Design Intervention’s best design devices is symmetry, which Hunt believes grounds a space.

“When there are so many stimuli, symmetry will keep the room looking balanced and allow you to add multiple layers,” she says. Most importantly, eclectic spaces need to have something personal to enhance their character. “A room that is too perfectly matched will not feel welcoming. Vintage items with their inherent imperfections mirror the laugh lines on human faces. Just as we are drawn to a face illuminated by a smile more than a merely beautiful one, we are attracted to spaces that radiate warmth,” adds Hunt.

Don’t miss: Home tour: A luxe and eclectic Mediterranean home in Los Angeles

Above The facade of The Twenty Two hotel and members’ club in London (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

Above The Twenty Two houses bold and dramatic spaces, including this room which features vivid red hues (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

Tasselled details, mirrored elements and geometric patterns contribute to the richly layered and tactile look of the interior of The Twenty Two (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

Above Tasselled details, mirrored elements and geometric patterns contribute to the richly layered and tactile look of the interior of The Twenty Two (Photo: Natalia Miyar Atelier)

One thing to remember is a lot of the groundwork for eclectic interiors must begin with the outside. In Brudnizki’s recent work for Splendido, A Belmond Hotel in Portofino, Italy, he stresses the importance of considering the environment first. “We always want a project to look as though it has always been there. The overarching idea for Splendido was to make guests feel like they had been invited to a friend’s villa on the Ligurian coast,” he says.

As such, the hotel features plenty of local materials, such as Lavagna stone in the hallways. Homegrown crafts feature prominently; these include headboards made using traditional weaves, and furniture from local estate sales. “The environment is everywhere in the design,” Brudnizki notes. Although it helps to have a strong theme, Parker believes in the power of juxtaposition to create a timeless look.

“We often use unusual materials and unexpected touches inspired by the design agenda to keep our work feeling eclectic and current. If our work draws from a specific period, we would always offset this with modern architectural details or pieces to avoid the finished product becoming a pastiche of something historical.” To participate in the maximalist revolution does not mean overloading the senses.

At this year’s Milan Design Week, fiery hues and organic textures were all the rage. “The big trend was colour from the spice box—warm but earthy colours like saffron, turmeric, paprika and cinnamon. Texture was also everywhere, from walls to floors and everything in between,” says Hunt. That said, restraint is still key. “At Design Intervention, our mantra is ‘just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.’ A successful eclectic style is a meticulous balancing act. Spaces can be bold and mismatched, yet each element is carefully curated to achieve a style that inspires and revitalises rather than overpowers.”

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Topics

Eclectic design Bold design Maximalism Eclectic interiors Maximalist interior design

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The return of maximalism: Why are bold, eclectic interiors suddenly popular again?