Minimalism is not for everyone. It’s okay to admit it. Sometimes more is more, and this one is for all of you that agree. Here’s 17 stunning maximalist living rooms to fuel your maximalist dreams.
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1. Common color
An important aspect to designing a maximalist living room is cohesion. Though there should be a good variety in patterns, colors, and textures, everything still needs to work together. A great way to make these elements look unified is to use a feature color to use throughout the room. In this example, mustard yellow shows up in different forms and in multiple places.
2. Plant collection
A robust plant collection is a classic maximalist show stopper. Though the room would definitely be classified as maximalist without the plants, having plants of all shapes and sizes adds an organic element that makes the space feel lived in and cozy. Some of our favorite plants to include are pothos, snake plant, monstera, and parlor palm.
3. Patterned rugs
When putting together a maximalist living room, never ignore the floor. Take advantage of every plane of the room. Here a patterned rug adds a layer of richness and warmth to the room that grounds the whole design. The glass table allows the viewer to take in more of the rug and the dark blue couch echoes hints of blue in the design. Having a focal point is often a great idea when designing a maximalist space.
4. Various textures
A variety of colors are important and different lines are important, but everything falls flat without texture. Velvet, fur, glass, wood, leather, stone, and metal are all great textural options that carry their own nuances and character. Once you hone in on the style you’re aiming for, try to select textures that contrast and compliment each other. This is important to create personality and give the space an intentional feel.
5. Books on display
If you’re a reader, you’re in luck! Books make a great decor element in a maximalist living room, especially when they’re on a shelf that speaks to your design aesthetic. The great part about maximalism is that none of the books need to match. In fact, the more variety the better, just be sure they’re arranged to look neat rather than cluttered.
6. Gallery wall
Beyond plants, patterned rugs, and color themes, you’ll notice that gallery walls are also a common theme in maximalist living rooms. Gallery walls are a perfect way to display aspects of your life and personality and can really breathe life into an otherwise lowkey room. When selecting frames and artwork for your space, try to get a range of sizes with frames that coordinate but don’t match. 3D elements make great additions to consider as well.
7. Animal print furniture
An animal print couch is a great way to amp up your living room. Leopard print is always a neutral in our book, but zebra and tiger are other great options to add a luxe feeling to your space. Choosing a piece that features classical or rococo curves adds another layer of interest to the room. It’s all about the layers!
8. Animal print everything
When it comes to animal print, sometimes too much is almost enough. If you’re feeling bold, layer your new animal print couch with an animal print rug to create a lush and exotic vibe. The plants, nature themed gallery wall, and ceramic leopard enhance the effect.
9. Storage as decor
Similar to using books as a decor element, you can also use some of your other collectibles or valuables as display elements to showcase your personality. When putting together your display, be sure to organize your belongings to avoid making the room feel cluttered. Books, record players, candlesticks, antique radios, and magazines all make great options for display.
10. Bold wallpaper
If you are in a space where you can hang wallpaper, it’s a great option to add flavor to your room. Having a bold and busy wallpaper fills the space and can amp up the maximalist feel with less furniture and decor items. When choosing a wallpaper, look for one that has colors you can coordinate with and has a theme that speaks to your unique style.
11. Unique light fixture
When you’re going all out on walls, rugs, furniture, and pillows, a standard light fixture feels out of place. Upping your light fixture game is a quick way to take your room to the next level. If you’re in an apartment, keep your original light fixture on hand so you reinstall it before moving out.
12. Statement art
Statement art can be just as impactful as a gallery wall if done well. This can be anything from antique art, a self made piece, or even a photo blown up to large scale. Whatever the type, make sure it can actually pull focus, whether through color, style, or even just because it’s large scale.
13. Impact wall
Impact or feature walls have been a mainstay in interior design for decades and they definitely pull their weight in the maximalism realm as well. Adding a statement wall will amplify whatever mood you’re aiming for and can make just a few pieces feel much more impactful. When choosing a color, test the paints in multiple light levels to get a feel for how it’ll look before committing. This option is more renter-friendly than wallpaper as you can simply paint over it before leaving.
14. Soft layers
Few things are better than cozy maximalism. Soft, plush, and comfortable, rooms like these instantly put you at ease. Layers of blankets and pillows create visual interest that’s echoed in the fur rug and crochet mushrooms. The brick red statement wall and wood furniture adds an undercurrent of warmth to the room to complete the effect.
15. Moody monochromatic
There are multiple ways to achieve your dream maximalist living room. A fun, punchy color palette may be for you, or you may prefer the rich elegance of a monochromatic color scheme. Whether a moody deep green, a refreshing lavender, or warm yellow, choose something that speaks to your aesthetic and the vibe you’re trying to convey. Echo the color you’ve chosen for your walls in your furniture and decor, (it can be exact or different shades) but be sure to break it up occasionally with a different color.
16. Peel and stick wall art
If paint and wallpaper are too much commitment, consider a peel and stick applique. These come in many styles, colors, and sizes, and they are an excellent choice if you find yourself looking for a change of scene fairly often. Appliques can help fill the space and add interest in a quick period of time.
17. Reflect yourself
Above all, make sure your maximalist living room reflects YOU and YOUR style and YOUR interests. Feminine, western, farmhouse, gothic, or all of the above! Finetune your space to make you feel at home, reflect your story, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments over time.
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