Maximalism: Shopping the eclectic, vibrant trend of the decade

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Maximalism is everywhere in design right now and it’s an easy style to love. It’s livable, accessible, and all about surrounding yourself with your favorite things.

“Being a maximalist is letting go of the minimalist ideal,” says designer and blogger Dabito. “There [are] no design rules. It’s having fun with a space and just putting things in a space that makes you happy and makes it feel cozier.”

One thing maximalism isn’t? Stuff for stuff’s sake. Consumerism is fueling the environmental crisis. Maximalism’s flexibility encourages second-hand shopping, showing off heirlooms that might be tucked away in storage, and making things yourself. But if you are in the market for a new piece, these picks can help you bring home that much more color, pattern, and visual interest.

Wall coverings

Consider covering your walls for maximal graphic impact with a single design move. Some companies, like Hygge & West, offer removable options which is great for non-committal decorators, or for renters.

Red wallpaper in a pattern featuring botanicals, flowers, and animals

Otomi wallpaper

$155

This pattern is based on traditional embroidery patterns from the Otomi people of Mexico. Available in seven colorways.

$155 at Hygge & West

Black wallpaper with a blue floral pattern

Voynich wallpaper

$200

Based on a 14th-century book, the Voynich pattern incorporates elements of the herbs, plants, and flowers illustrated in the manuscript. Available in three colorways.

$200 at Grow House Grow

Wallpaper printed with oranges, lemons, flowers, and leaves

Amalfi Umore wallpaper

$140

This is glorious hand-painted pattern composed of lemons, oranges, hibiscus flowers, and leaves.

$140 at Graham & Brown

Textiles

One of the easiest—and sometimes most affordable—ways to introduce maximalism is through textiles.

A white tea towel printed with graphic lavender florals

Pieni Primavera tea towel

This floral pattern is from the iconic Finnish designer Maija Isola.

$21 at Marimekko

A bath towel with orange and green stripes on one side and red and lavender stripes on the other

Warm stripe bath towel

Made from 100% terry cloth, these towels have orange and green stripes on one side, red and blue stripes on the other.

$40 at Dusen Dusen

A white, black, pink, and green Moroccan rug

Haja Touda’s Beni Ourain

Salam Hello works directly with Moroccan artisans, who are mostly women, to sell its handmade rugs. This one was woven by Haja Touda in the Todgha Gorge village.

$3 at Salam Hello

Furniture

Why limit yourself to the same midcentury derivative furniture everyone has? Consider these more exuberant and unexpected options.

A sofa with a wood frame, leather upholstery, and gray cushions

Catalpa sofa

This elegant, customizable sofa has a hardwood frame, leather seat back, and linen cushions.

RW Guild

A credenza with blue doors, a metal frame, and a star pattern painted on it

Boro star sideboard

The pattern on this sideboard is based on Japanese patched indigo textiles known as boro.

$1 at Anthropologie

Molar fiberglass chair

$2 at Bi-Rite Studio

Lighting

Set the right mood and ambiance with chandeliers, table lamps, and even bulbs that make a statement.

A chandelier composed of multi-color, metallic leaves

Tropical chandelier

Intended to be a statement piece, this chandelier by Chris Wolston is composed of metallic leaves inspired by the jungle around Medellin, Colombia.

The Future Perfect

A table lamp with a conical gold shade and marble base

Mira stacked table lamp

This sculptural table lamp is available in two mixed-material designs, one with burnished brass, white Carrara marble, and white ceramic, and another version in bronze with travertine and white ceramic.