Maximalist Interior Design: How to Embrace Bold and Beautiful Spaces

Maximalist interior design is all about embracing boldness, personality, and creativity. If you’ve ever been drawn to vibrant colours, striking furniture, or unique décor, maximalism might just be the perfect fit for your home. In this blog, we’ll explore how to create a maximalist space that’s not only bold and beautiful, but also thoughtfully curated and balanced.

What is maximalist interior design?

The idea of maximalism is to create a space that feels full of life and individuality, where each item, whether it’s furniture, artwork, or accessories, will add to the overall character of the room. Unlike minimalist interior design, which favours simplicity and negative space, maximalism encourages mixing styles, blending old and new, and filling your home with meaningful, sometimes extravagant pieces. It’s important to bear in mind that maximalism isn’t about clutter for the sake of it but is instead about creating an environment that feels full of life and uniquely yours.

Key elements of maximalist interior design

Maximalist interior design thrives on the idea of ‘more is more,’ where every detail serves to create a space full of character and vibrancy. By combining the below elements, you can create a maximalist space that’s brimming with personality.

Bold colours and patterns

The maximalist colour palette includes rich, saturated shades that are often contrasted with each other. You might find deep jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, or unexpected combinations that add drama and flair. Patterns also play a crucial role - floral prints, geometric shapes, and animal prints are often layered to create a dynamic visual experience.

Layering textures

Maximalist design is about mixing different textures to create depth and interest. Think velvet cushions, leather armchairs, silk curtains, and shaggy rugs all in one space. The goal is to make the room feel inviting, with a variety of tactile experiences that engage the senses. Layering textures will create a stimulating space that feels both luxurious and comfortable.

Eclectic furniture and décor

Maximalist interiors often embrace diversity in furniture, combining modern pieces with vintage finds or unique, bespoke items. There’s no need to match everything - different styles, shapes, and materials can be mixed together to create an interesting, lived-in feel. Bold, statement furniture is often used to anchor the room, with decorative accessories adding flair and personality.

Art and personal expression

Maximalism encourages a space that reflects your unique personal taste and stories. Artwork is a key element, whether it’s large, bold pieces or smaller, curated collections. The idea is to showcase your personal interests, whether through photography, paintings, or unique sculptures. The pieces should tell a story, sparking conversation and adding emotional depth to the room.

Statement lighting

Lighting in a maximalist design should be anything but subtle. Chandeliers, oversized lamps, or intricate light fixtures can become works of art in their own right. They’ll illuminate the room while contributing to the overall visual richness, and often use unusual materials or shapes to make a statement.

How to balance boldness in your space

While maximalism celebrates boldness and exuberance, it’s important to aim for balance so you can create a harmonious space requires thoughtful balance. By following the below tips, you can embrace maximalism without losing a sense of order, creating a space that feels bold and balanced.

Use colour strategically

Maximalism doesn’t mean every element has to be vibrant. You can mix intense colours with more subdued tones to prevent the space from feeling too saturated. If the idea of painting your space in a vibrant shade feels too overwhelming, you can instead use bold hues as accents, such as on cushions, rugs, or artwork, and balance them with more neutral or complementary shades in larger elements.

If you choose to embrace a truly maximalist colour palette, the key to avoiding a chaotic look is to focus on a select few complementary hues. Rather than using every colour under the sun, opt for a combination of bold tones that work well together to create a harmonious, yet vibrant, atmosphere. This will help to prevent the space from feeling too chaotic or cluttered.

Create focal points

Choose one or two statement pieces that draw the eye, such as an oversized painting, a bold piece of furniture, or a striking light fixture. These focal points help direct attention and provide structure, allowing the room to feel curated rather than cluttered. Once you have your focal points in place, you can layer in smaller, complementary pieces around them to build depth and interest.

Layer, but don’t overcrowd

Maximalism is about layering textures and items, but it's important not to overcrowd the space. Leave room for breathing space and avoid cramming every inch with accessories. Group objects thoughtfully and allow each one to stand out. By giving each item its own space, you can create visual flow and balance within the room, allowing each texture, colour, and piece of furniture to be appreciated on its own.

Mix, don’t clash

When combining patterns and textures, ensure there’s a sense of harmony. For example, pairing a floral print with a geometric pattern works if the colours are complementary or if one of the patterns is more subdued. Mixing too many contrasting styles or clashing colours can cause visual chaos. By utilising a unifying element, you’ll create cohesion and allow the bold combinations to feel deliberate rather than overwhelming.

How Kingswood at Home can enhance your maximalist interiors

Our bespoke furniture designs offer the perfect solution to create a maximalist space that is both bold and harmonious. Our handcrafted pieces, made with the finest materials, provide a solid foundation for any maximalist interior. Whether it’s a striking, custom-made wardrobe, a statement piece of cabinetry, or luxurious storage designs, we can help transform a room into a vibrant, personalised environment.

Our attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship ensures that each piece stands out without overwhelming the space. Our bespoke made-to-measure designs and colour-matching service offers the flexibility to integrate bold colours, patterns, and textures into your home, while maintaining a sense of balance and functionality.

You can contact us for more information about our bespoke interior features or book a complementary design consultation with our team.