Maximalist Decor Ideas
Maximalism is more is more, done on purpose: rich colour, layered pattern, collected objects and lots of art. The difference between maximalist and messy is a common thread. Repeat two or three colours across the walls, textiles and prints, and hang art in deliberate groups rather than one piece here and there.
Below: what maximalist decor is, how to stop it looking cluttered, how to choose and hang the art, and ideas for living rooms and bedrooms.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
What maximalist decor is
Maximalism grew as a reaction to years of pared-back, all-white rooms, borrowing from Victorian collectors, global textiles and the bold colour of the 70s and 80s. Its main traits:
- Saturated colour. Emerald, fuchsia, mustard, cobalt and burnt orange, often on the walls as well as the furniture.
- Pattern on pattern. Florals, stripes, checks and animal prints, layered together.
- Layered texture. Velvet, fringing, tassels and rugs on rugs.
- Collected objects on display: books, ceramics, finds from travels.
- Art everywhere, often in a salon hang that fills a whole wall.
Minimalist vs maximalist: a minimalist edits down to a few things; a maximalist edits up, but still edits. Both styles depend on choices. The difference is how many you keep.
How to make maximalism look good, not cluttered
- Choose a palette and repeat it. Three to five colours, used again and again, make a busy room feel planned.
- Clash patterns with care. Vary the scale (one large, one medium, one small) and make sure each pattern shares at least one colour with another.
- Group things. Objects in odd-numbered groups and art in clusters look collected; things dotted about look messy.
- Give the eye a rest. One plain element, such as a solid sofa or a calm rug, lets everything else stand out.
- Keep surfaces tidy. Full walls work best when the floor and tables are clear.
Choosing and hanging maximalist art
Maximalist art is bold, saturated and full of character: retro posters, figurative illustration, animals and big cats, dark-ground botanicals, pop art, vintage advertising and colourful abstracts. Mixing styles is part of the look, so tie them together with colour rather than subject. Frames can mix too: gold, black and wood side by side.
For a salon hang, start with your largest piece, an A1 or A2, centred at 145 to 150 cm from the floor. Build outwards with A3 and A4 prints, keeping the gaps an even 5 to 8 cm, and mix portrait and landscape. You can stop at the edges of the sofa or carry on to the ceiling.
Browse our colourful wall art and pop art posters, then try layouts in the gallery wall planner before you drill.
Maximalist living room and bedroom ideas
Maximalist living room. A velvet sofa in a jewel colour, a patterned rug, a mix of cushions and a gallery wall above. A pair of A1 prints with smaller pieces around them fills the wall above a long sofa. Leave 15 to 25 cm between the sofa back and the lowest frame.
Maximalist bedroom. Try a dark painted wall in emerald, plum or deep teal, patterned bedding and a statement headboard. Above the bed, go bold with one A1 above a double, or a pair of A2 prints above a king size, then build a gallery on a side wall.
Hallways are the easiest place to try it: a floor-to-ceiling mix of A3 and A4 prints turns a corridor into the most interesting space in the house.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
