Trend Report: Maximalism (More is More!)

 Move over, minimalism—it's time to get colorful, eclectic and playful with your interior decor style.

Enamored with gray, white and other neutrals? 

Then today's Trend Report might not be for you. But if you love immersing yourself in vibrant colors, wild patterns and maybe just a ‌hint‌ of decorative clutter, we've got something fun to share from the interior decorating world: maximalism!

Maximalism is all about ‌more.‌ More color, more objects, more layering, more variety. It's at the other end of the home decor spectrum from the simple, subtle styles found in sparse Scandinavian design. To put it another way: If you adore clean lines, you're probably not a maximalist at heart.

Maximalism is hardly a new interior design style. (If you've ever toured Versailles or another elaborate old palace, you've seen centuries-old maximalism up close.) It has had a resurgence on social media in recent years, so some people are seeing examples of IRL maximalist design for the very first time. Maximalism is an especially fun trend to play with because there's no one "right" way to do it. Let your creativity be your guide—and draw inspiration for achieving the look in your home from a few of our favorite social media maximalists.

1. The bolder the colors, the better

Embracing maximalism lets you break free from the constraints of decorating with a strict color palette. You might still decide you want to stick to a mix of blues and greens in your living room or design monochromatic maximalist rooms inspired by your favorite colors. But you can also take more of an "anything goes" approach and fill a room with every color of the rainbow. Colors don't necessarily have to "go" together in a way that's pleasing to anyone but you. How freeing!

Instagram maximalist @colorful_kimmes shows us how it's done with a glimpse into her eye-catching dining room, which seems to feature just about every hue imaginable. What a treat for the senses.

2. Get creative with light fixtures

Is it a little over-the-top to have a chandelier hanging in your bathroom like you're Marie Antoinette or something? Yes. Should you do it anyway? Also yes! When you're embracing maximalist ideals, no room is too small for a chandelier. Think about upgrading existing light fixtures to include more whimsical fixtures too.

Instagrammer @reddish_house proves that you ‌can‌ incorporate a few neutrals into maximalist decor with her boho rattan light fixture. We'd like to curl up in this room with a good book and a cup of tea.

3. Pick bright, eclectic art—and lots of it

Decorating in a maximalist way offers permission to surround yourself with art that delights and inspires, even if involves a mix of wildly different styles and colors. Why not hang a kid's finger-painted scribbles next to Picasso prints and woven tapestries? If you love them, hang them where they'll shine.

Veering into maximalism doesn't mean you have to get rid of black-and-white photo prints or other neutral artwork, though. Reframe your toned-down art and photos in eclectic antique frames from flea markets (as @barij appears to have done below). Alternatively, leave them unframed and let subtle art serve as a counterpoint to other vibrant colors in the space.

4. Go for a gallery wall

If you hang a single piece of art on a white wall in a minimalist space, it's going to be a focal point—so it had better be perfectly placed and perfectly level. If it's even slightly too high on the wall or a few centimeters off-center, it might draw attention for the wrong reasons.

Maximalist decor offers flexibility. You can crowd a dozen framed pieces together in a gallery wall, making up the layout as you go and not worrying about things being perfectly spaced. @featherandfossil_interiors offers a prime example of the maximalist gallery in their Instagram post, proving that wall decor pieces of all sizes deserve their time to shine.

5. Choose luxe fabrics and bold patterns

Adding a few new patterned elements to a room is a quick way to include maximalist sensibility in your existing space. Things like footstools, pillows and blankets in animal prints and bold graphic patterns will instantly add more visual interest. Choose rich, touchable fabrics such as faux fur, velvet, silk and glossy satin.

Putting up temporary wallpaper with bold chintz or striped patterns is also a quick way to incorporate maximalist style. In smaller spaces, use patterned wallpaper on one accent wall so it doesn't feel overwhelming. @wendymorrisondesign does all of the above in a vibrant living room setup.