14 Maximalist Decor Interior Design Ideas (With Pictures)

In contrast to minimalism, industrialism, and modern, maximalist décor follows the more-is-more philosophy. Sometimes, it can be a bit superfluous, but that’s exactly what makes this style stand out. So, if you’ve been looking for some eclectic, bold, and “wow” ideas for your interior design, maximalist décor will be a great choice.

All you need is a little bit of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. And we have plenty of that here! We asked our team of decor experts to put together a list of the best ideas for a maximalist interior design. Their top picks are equally retro, trendy, and stunning, which is what this style is all about. Go ahead and take a peek!

The 14 Maximalist Decor Interior Design Ideas

1. Go With Vivid and “Happy” Colors

This is the safest ticket into the world of maximalist décor. Paint the walls a non-trivial color like green, red, or pink. Use the same approach with furniture, and instead of installing a black, brown, or gray couch in the room, opt for an orange or yellow sofa. And don’t worry—you won’t have to also invest in violet chairs, dark-blue cupboards, or anything like that.

These two elements (the walls and the couch) will be enough here. You can, of course, experiment a bit here. But, if this is your first time trying your hand at maximalist interior design, give yourself some time to get used to it instead of throwing new items into the composition.

2. Try Your Luck With Floral or Animal Prints

Next up, we have an all-time classic and favorite among maximalist décor fans. Sometimes, floral wallpaper is found in rustic and retro interior designs, but it’s not that common. All the more reason to use it! Do take a moment to scroll through the available options, though. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different patterns out there.

Try to visualize how a wall full of green leaves or black-and-white zebra stripes will look in your room. Flowers are another great option, and they usually go well with other elements.

3. Add Lots of Plants (Natural or Synthetic)

Why confine yourself to floral wallpaper when you can crowd the room with real plants? Staying true to the main idea of maximalist décor, which is the more, the better, make sure that you have at least a dozen pots full of native and exotic plants. Otherwise, it won’t “cut it”. Oh, and if you don’t have access to organic flowers, herbs, or shrubs, synthetics will also do.

The important thing in this décor is to create a beautiful contrast and turn the vegetation into an integral and essential part of the design. Also, don’t be shy to ask your neighbors for some seeds or fully-grown plants. Chances are, they’ll be happy to share some of their precious babies with you.

4. Use the “A Little Bit of Everything” Approach

Not sure where to start or how to make maximalist designs work? Then go ahead and put a bunch of stuff in a room and see where that takes you. That said, it would be better to think about everything ahead and introduce specific elements from other design styles that will not only “coexist” but bring harmony to your house.

One example would be to buy a brightly-colored couch and a couple of chairs and put them right next to a rustic table. And if the ceiling has a rough texture (or maybe it’s fully exposed) and you have wall-tall windows, that could be a beautiful maximalist composition for you to enjoy.

5. Implement Vintage and Rustic Elements

Nothing looks more maximalist than a retro cupboard, nightstand, or table installed right in the middle of the room. Woven baskets (for your clothes), an old-school vase on a vintage cabinet, and some retro-style rugs should also be on the menu. To make the contrast even stronger, you should keep some electronic devices and gadgets in the same space.

We’re talking about a TV, gaming console, large speakers, and maybe some musical instruments like a guitar or a piano. The only downside to this maximalist décor idea is that vintage stuff doesn’t always come for cheap. But you should still be able to find some hidden gems online or at a local store at a fair price.

6. Use Oversized Items in a Creative Way

While there should be balance in any design for it to work, we still encourage you to think outside of the box. And one great way to do that is to introduce overly large objects into a “normal” arrangement to make it stand out. This can be a gigantic mirror, kitchen table, or vase. Just remember that you will have to experiment a bit to find the perfect spot for it.

7. Put the Focus on the Ceiling

The ceiling is usually the last thing that folks think about when trying to redesign their rooms. It does have a huge potential, though, especially in this chaotic and extravagant style. The most obvious thing to do here is to paint it in a not-so-common color like turquoise, lime, or purple. Or cover it with a bold and defiant wallpaper to make it “jump” at anyone that enters the room for the first time.

Not yet ready to turn your ceiling into an artistic statement? Then why not try to highlight it with a bunch of tiny lights?

8. Give Rugs the Attention They Deserve

In modern-day interior design, rugs are often overlooked as well. However, with the right approach, they can make the room pop in more than one way. Ideally, the rug should be multi-colored (like a rainbow), but you’re free to use whatever approach you see fit. Some maximalist décor enthusiasts opt for a large carpet that covers the entire room.

Others prefer to place three to four rugs in the same room and use them as the main attractions. For example, placing a floor mat under a chair, table, or shelf will instantly give your space a warm touch. And don’t worry about the dimensions here: it will be perfectly fine if the rugs don’t match in color, shape, or size.

9. Add Extra Seating Spots

It can be a cozy hanging chair, a good-old armchair, or even a bench. Most likely, you already have a large enough couch in the living room, so use the chairs for adding accents. To “nail” this design, don’t hesitate to ask a family member or a friend to help you move the furniture around. Just like in any other style, in maximalist designs, placement plays a major role.

10. Hang Thick, Long, Vintage Curtains

Don’t worry—you won’t accidentally step into art-deco or gothic territory if you just replace the regular blinders with some retro curtains. And the more vintage they look, the better, as that will instantly create a lovely contrast with the rest of the interior. Got some extra bucks to spare on décor? Then we would suggest spending them on ornaments for the curtains.

Also, see that the drapes reach the floor for a more dramatic effect. Use them to cover windows and doors and maybe to separate the bed from the rest of the room.

11. Chandeliers for the Wow Effect

These days, we have lights that are built into the walls, scattered all over the ceiling, and hanging from a thin cable. But none of that will be a great match for a maximalist interior design. Instead, you should save up a bit and get a chandelier or two. Depending on the design, it will add Victorian, Bohemian, or even Chic vibes. And you won’t have to pay a fortune for the chandelier ($150–$200 should get you a decent deal).

12. Add Old Plates/Utensils on the Wall

To clarify: we’re not talking about regular plates here, as they will bring little to no excitement into the room’s design. In contrast, if you’ve got your hands on some vintage utensils, putting them on the wall will be a great idea. The plates should differ in shape, size, and color. This way, the whole thing will resemble an art installation, not just a bunch of dishes nailed to the wall.

And if you don’t like how it looks, removing the plates shouldn’t take much effort.

13. Or Use Photos and Art Pieces Instead

If you have a bunch of photos that are begging to hop onto the wall, you can use them as part of your maximalist décor design. Again, there are no strict rules here. Some people like to only put pictures on the walls that are dear to their hearts. Others prefer to put family photos on nightstands and tables and cover the walls with other, less personal pictures.

Photos go well with vintage plates and antiques, by the way. And sometimes, designers put empty frames on the walls: that could work as well.

14. Display Your Favorite Books

Books are slowly, yet steadily turning into a rarity, a thing that belongs to the past. Still, if you happen to have some hard-cover books in your possession (maybe left behind by your grandparents), they’ll fit perfectly as a part of maximalist décor. Just put the books on a shelf, and that should do the trick. That shelf doesn’t have to occupy half of the room: size is not a very important factor here.

Maximalist Décor: What’s It All About?

With most design styles, you have to stick to certain rules; otherwise, the whole composition will lose its momentum and appeal. However, that doesn’t apply to maximalist décor, as it’s all about blending colors, textures, layers, and ideas to create something truly unique. To the naked eye, maximalist décor might sound like neither fish nor flesh, but there’s a lot more to it.

It’s chaotic, erratic, and a bit messy, yet the eclectic nature of this design style is what makes it unique. In the hands of an experienced designer, the more-is-more concept allows for almost infinite combinations. The shapes, forms, and patterns are usually rather big and “in-your-face”. And it’s not necessarily about making a statement. Just go with whatever your heart desires!

Embracing Maximalism in Design: A Quick Guide

For starters, try to use bright, eye-grabbing colors that can instantly set the mood for the whole thing. The same applies to the textures (like on the wallpaper). Fabrics, photos, souvenirs, and even utensils on the walls are another popular art choice for maximalist décor. The main idea here is to create an over-the-top design that will easily stand out when compared to the average interior.

Thanks to the unlimited potential of this magnificent style, you won’t ever feel like you’re being restrained. Retro art pieces paired with modern-day furniture? Check! An entire wall crowded with books? Double check! Got huge curtains or lanterns and natural plants in the same room? Even better! That doesn’t mean you can get away with anything, of course.

Here are some quick tips to achieve the best results without overdoing it:

The Best Uses for Maximalist Décor

You probably have a basement, attic, or room in your house that’s in desperate need of a proper shake-up. If so, it can serve as the perfect “playground” for trying out some audacious décor ideas. And for the most part, the elements involved in maximalist décor aren’t at all expensive or hard to get your hands on. The walls can be repainted, and the wallpaper can be replaced.

As for the art objects, you can always remove them or add new ones. Also, for family folks, it might be fun to ask your kids to join in on the action. Also, you won’t have to turn the entire house into a maximalist’s dream. Leave all the other spaces intact and only do this to your home office. Today, the corporate/business sector is embracing maximalist designs as well, of course.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of old-school interior designs, we feel your pain. True, classic décor styles can be amazing, but sometimes, they’re just boring. Lucky for us, there’s always something new and exciting to try. When it comes to interior design, the sky’s the limit, and with maximalist décor, you can turn a mediocre room into a piece of art.

While it might take a bit more effort and dedication to fully embrace/master this style, in the end, it will be well worth it. As we learned today, there are quite a few amazing maximalist décor interior design ideas that are equally dashing, eye-catching, and easy on the wallet. All you have to do is make the right pick!

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Featured Image Credit: Steph Wilson, Unsplash