Maximalist homes - More is More: The Magic of Maximalist Homes
- Vanessa
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 13
For years, mainstream home aesthetics have been ruled by minimalism, crisp white walls, neutral tones, and furniture so sleek it barely looks comfortable. The kind of homes that feel more like museums than places people actually live. But if the rise of maximalism proves anything, it’s that we’re collectively over pretending to exist in a Pinterest-perfect showroom.
This isn’t just a decor trend, it’s a wider cultural shift. After a decade of minimalism pushing restraint and decluttering, people are rejecting perfectionism in favour of self-expression. Maximalism isn’t just about filling a space with stuff; it’s about personality, nostalgia, and joy. And with TikTok and Instagram fuelling trends like ‘Dopamine decor’, interiors are prioritising feeling over function, bold prints, vibrant colours, and carefully curated chaos.
The shift extends beyond interiors. The resurgence of Y2K, Barbiecore, and ‘70s kitsch in fashion proves that the “more is more” mentality is everywhere. Even in film and TV, maximalist aesthetics are dominating, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis was a rhinestone-covered fever dream, HBO’s Euphoria turned excess into an art form.
So, what does maximalism actually look like in 2025? It’s a mix of nostalgia, eccentricity, and deeply personal design choices.
Some of the biggest trends defining the movement include:
Dopamine decor- Homes designed purely for joy, with no fear of clashing colours or bold accents.
Grand Millennial style- A love letter to vintage aesthetics, floral prints, and antique-inspired decor.
Cluttercore- Not actual clutter, but a carefully curated collection of sentimental, mismatched pieces.
Memphis design revival- Think geometric shapes, bold primary colours, and playful furniture.
Maximalist gallery walls- Mixing art, posters, and trinkets for a lived-in, storytelling vibe.
If you need proof that maximalism is back, just look at the homes of Paloma Elsesser, Baz Luhrmann, and Lily Allen & David Harbour, each a perfect example of how this aesthetic goes beyond just filling a space with things. Maximalism is about storytelling, nostalgia, and self-expression, and these homes prove just how personal and intentional the style can be.
Paloma Elsesser’s NYC apartment is a reflection of her bold, unapologetic style. Featured in Architectural Digest, it blends warm colours, vintage furniture, and sentimental trinkets, creating a space that feels lived-in rather than just curated. It’s maximalism at its best, deeply personal and effortlessly cool.
Then there’s Baz Luhrmann, the king of cinematic excess, whose Australian home feels like an extension of his films. Rich red velvets, oversized chandeliers, and antique grandeur create a space that’s theatrical yet intimate, proving maximalism isn’t just about clashing prints, it’s about creating a world of its own.
On the other side of the spectrum, Lily Allen & David Harbour’s Brooklyn townhouse leans into whimsical maximalism, with Victorian-inspired prints, a Barbie-pink kitchen, and an emerald green living room that looks straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Designed by Billy Cotton, it perfectly captures the balance between nostalgia, quirk, and curated chaos.
These homes show that maximalism isn’t just about excess, it’s about creating a space that reflects personality, history, and joy. Whether through colour, texture, or storytelling, it’s proof that more really is more.
As interior designer Megan Hopp puts it, “Maximalist design is a style and aesthetic that leans into the more-is-more mentality.” But the key is curation, not chaos, it’s about layering colours, textures, and patterns in a way that feels intentional. A maximalist home isn’t just a cluttered mess; it’s a reflection of its owner’s personality, memories, and creative energy.
After a decade of minimalism reigning supreme, maximalism is proof that people want more than just “calm” spaces, they want spaces that feel alive. The beauty of this aesthetic is that there are no hard and fast rules, no need to stick to a strict colour palette, and no pressure to keep things looking just right. So if you’re over bland, personality-free spaces, maybe it’s time to embrace the bold.
Written by Vanessa Twerefou
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