Maximalist Interior Design: Colors, Patterns & Ideas

Maximalist interior design is a more-is-more style that layers saturated color, bold patterns, art, books and collected objects in one space. It is held together by a repeating palette and deliberate placement, so a maximalist room feels rich and personal rather than cluttered. Typical features include gallery walls, velvet, lacquer and pattern-on-pattern.

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What is Maximalist style?

Maximalism draws on Victorian collecting, the patterned rooms of the Aesthetic Movement, and twentieth-century decorators such as Dorothy Draper and Tony Duquette, who used bold color and scale. It returned in the late 2010s as a reaction against plain white minimalist interiors and the beige look common on social media. People like it now because it shows personality, makes good use of inherited and thrifted pieces, and photographs with depth.

Maximalist color palette

Emerald#046A4B
Fuchsia#C2185B
Cobalt#1F4AA8
Saffron#E3A21A
Coral#E8735A
Aubergine#4B2142

Key features of Maximalist design

1
Salon-style gallery wall that runs edge to edge with mixed frames and sizes.
2
Pattern-on-pattern mixing that combines one large, one medium and one small-scale print.
3
Color on every surface, including painted ceilings, doors and trim.
4
Dense shelves styled with books, ceramics and souvenirs grouped by color.
5
Layered textiles: rugs over rugs, throws, cushions with trims and fringe.
6
A repeating palette of three or four colors that ties every object together.

Materials

Cotton velvet in saturated colors
High-gloss lacquered paint on walls or ceilings
Patterned wallpaper in large-scale florals or chinoiserie
Polished brass and gilt frames
Fringe, tassel and braid trims
Hand-painted ceramic and glazed tile
Layered flat-weave and pile rugs

Furniture

Curved velvet sofa in a jewel tone
Mismatched accent chairs in different patterns
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves styled with books and objects
Skirted or fringed ottoman used as a coffee table
Lacquered or painted cabinet with brass hardware
Pleated or patterned fabric lampshades
Antique or thrifted sideboard with a mirror above

Maximalist style room by room

Maximalist living room
Paint walls and trim the same deep color, then build a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall around the sofa using frames in three finishes.
Try it on your living room
Maximalist dining room
Use a bold patterned wallpaper on all four walls and a lacquered ceiling in a matching color to make the room feel enclosed and dramatic.
Try it on your dining room
Maximalist bedroom
Layer a patterned headboard, contrasting printed bedding and a fringed throw, keeping all three within the same two main colors.
Try it on your bedroom

Mistakes to avoid

Adding objects with no palette; choose three or four core colors and repeat each at least three times.
Using patterns of the same scale side by side; vary scale so each print reads clearly.
Forgetting resting points for the eye; leave one calm surface such as a solid sofa or plain rug.
Blocking walkways with extra furniture; keep at least 80 cm clear paths through the room.

Get the Maximalist look on a budget

Thrift frames in different finishes and fill them with prints, postcards, fabric scraps or children's drawings for a full gallery wall.
Paint the ceiling or interior doors in a saturated color; one tin of paint changes the whole room.
Re-cover old cushions and lampshades with remnant fabric and add trim from a haberdashery shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between maximalist and cluttered?

A maximalist room is planned, while a cluttered room is not. Maximalism repeats a fixed color palette, groups objects in deliberate arrangements and keeps clear walkways. Clutter is random items with no palette, scale or placement logic. If every object relates to the colors and pattern scales around it, the room reads as maximalist.

How do you mix patterns in maximalist decor?

Mix patterns by varying scale and keeping colors related. Combine one large-scale print, one medium print and one small print or stripe, and make sure each shares at least one color with the others. Add a solid fabric between busy areas so the eye has places to rest.

What colors work best for a maximalist room?

Saturated jewel tones work best for maximalist rooms: emerald, cobalt, fuchsia, saffron, coral and aubergine. Choose three or four colors and repeat them across walls, textiles and objects. Deep wall colors make art and objects stand out, while lighter walls suit rooms with heavy pattern in the furniture.

Is maximalism still in style?

Yes, maximalism remains popular as a reaction against all-white and all-beige interiors. Current maximalist rooms favor color-drenched walls, vintage and thrifted pieces, pattern mixing and personal collections. Because it is built around what you own and love, a well-planned maximalist room does not date as quickly as trend-led decor.

How do I start a maximalist gallery wall?

Start a maximalist gallery wall by laying frames on the floor first, placing the largest piece slightly off-center at eye level. Fill outward with mixed sizes, keeping gaps of about 5 cm. Repeat frame finishes and colors from the room, and let the arrangement extend to the ceiling and corners.