How Do Maximalists Store Their Stuff?

Maximalism celebrates color, pattern, art, books, décor, and personal expression, but it does not require every item to stay on display all year, so a practical storage system helps you showcase favorite pieces, put away extras, and refresh rooms without losing your style.  

Maximalists store their belongings by creating clear groupings, using a mix of open and closed storage, organizing vertically, rotating décor, and moving less-used items out of everyday spaces. This approach keeps a layered, personal home style while preserving clear surfaces, open walkways, and easy access to the items you use most.  

Key Takeaways 

• Assign categories of belongings to defined groupings 
• Use open storage for displays and closed storage for smaller everyday items 
• Add shelves, hooks, and tall cabinets to organize vertically 
• Keep doorways, walkways, and frequently used surfaces clear 
• Rotate décor seasonally or every few months instead of displaying everything at once 
• Use a self-storage unit for extra furniture, seasonal décor, hobby equipment, and business inventory that does not fit your current layout 

Create Groupings for Your Belongings 

A maximalist home feels intentional when similar items live together, so start by grouping items by room, function, color, theme, or frequency of use. Defined groupings make it easier to find what you need and return items after using them.  

Try these simple groupings: 

Avoid scattering similar belongings across multiple rooms. One designated home for each category strengthens your organizing routine and reduces visual clutter. 

Use Vertical Space 

When tabletops, shelves, and floors feel crowded, look up. Vertical storage creates room without taking over the floor. Tall bookcases, floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinets, pegboards, and hooks all help organize items while keeping walkways open

Use vertical space for: 

• Books and framed artwork  
• Bags and hats  
• Kitchen supplies  
• Hobby tools  
• Decorative displays  
• Frequently used household items

Choose storage pieces that match your aesthetic. Colorful cabinets, decorative boxes, baskets, display cabinets, and ottomans with built-in storage all support a maximalist look while containing smaller items.  

Combine Open and Closed Storage 

Open shelving gives your favorite décor, books, and artwork room to stand out. Closed storage keeps everyday supplies, loose items, and visual overflow out of sight. A mix of both creates balance.  

For example, use a bookcase to display selected books and décor, then use lower cabinet doors, labeled baskets, or storage boxes for items you do not want to display. This combination keeps a room expressive and functional. 

Keep Walkways and Everyday Surfaces Clear 

Maximalism works best when rooms remain easy to move through, so keep paths to doors, living areas, closets, and any other frequently used areas open. Avoid placing storage bins or furniture in doorways, and leave clear surfaces where people set down everyday items.  

A quick reset helps maintain that flow: 

• Return items to their designated groupings. 
• Clear coffee tables, counters, and nightstands. 
• Put away items waiting for repair, donation, or storage. 
• Tidy one shelf or display at a time. 
• Review crowded corners before they become overflow areas. 

Rotate Décor Instead of Displaying Everything 

Rotating décor lets you give a maximalist space a fresh feel without buying more items. Choose a portion of your décor to display, then pack away the rest until you want a new look. Rotate artwork, books, seasonal décor, decorative objects, and hobby supplies every few months. This approach creates visual breathing room and helps you rediscover items you already own. It also turns decorating into an ongoing, flexible process rather than a permanent arrangement. 

Storing items when not on display or in use at an off-site storage facility keeps your maximalist space from feeling overwhelmed by items or cluttered with storage boxes or tubs. Consider renting a convenient self-storage space that you can access frequently to switch out items as your mood or the season dictates. With more than 4,600 storage facilities in the United States, Public Storage is sure to have a location close to your work, home, or along an often-traveled route. 

Edit Your Space Thoughtfully 

Organizing a maximalist home does not mean stripping away personality. Instead, reassess what you enjoy displaying and what fits your current style, routine, and space. 

Ask yourself: 

• Do I still enjoy this item? 
• Does it fit my current style? 
• Would I choose it again today? 
• Does it belong in this room? 
• Do I want to display it right now? 

Donate, sell, or recycle items that no longer fit your style or you don’t see yourself using again. Put away items you currently do not need; this gives the pieces you enjoy most right now more room to shine.  

Use Self-Storage for Rotating Items 

A self-storage unit creates extra room for belongings you want to keep but do not use or display every day and keeps your space looking well-curated and not cluttered. Instead of filling closets, spare rooms, and corners with overflow, store selected items off-site and rotate them back into your home when your needs or style shift.  

Consider self-storage for: 

• Seasonal décor  
• Extra furniture  
• Hobby equipment when not in use 
• Business inventory  
• Rotating decorative pieces  
• Household items during a room refresh or move 

Take stock of the items you want to temporarily store, then visit the Public Storage Size Guide to find the storage unit size you need. A 5′ x 5′ unit fits items from a large closet, while a 5′ x 10′ unit offers space comparable to one room. Then, find a Public Storage location to review available unit sizes and features nearby. 

Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals, and customers complete a storage rental online in minutes, so renting a storage space from Public Storage temporarily or long-term is easy and hassle-free. 

Build a Simple Organizing Routine 

Small, regular organizing sessions keep a home manageable, even if it’s a maximalist’s. Every few weeks, dust shelves, return items to their groupings, reassess displays, and put away décor that no longer fits the room or season.  

Use this simple routine: 

Maximalism focuses on and should highlight one’s personality, not perfection. Create a system that gives your home style, structure, room to evolve, and space for your design perspective to be seen. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do you organize a maximalist home? 

Organize a maximalist home by putting similar items into groupings, combining open and closed storage, using vertical space, keeping walkways clear, and rotating décor instead of displaying everything at once.  

How do you make a maximalist room look less cluttered? 

Create intentional focal points, leave visual space around major displays, and use closed storage for smaller items. Keep everyday surfaces and paths clear and store out-of-rotation items in storage, either in your home or at an off-site storage facility. 

Where should you store décor that is not currently on display? 

Pack seasonal or rotating décor in clearly labeled containers and store it in a closet, cabinet, garage, or other appropriate at-home space. When home storage feels crowded, a self-storage unit gives you room to rotate items as your style changes.  

What storage unit size works for rotating home décor and furniture? 

The right storage unit size for you depends on the number and size of items you plan to store. Review the Public Storage Size Guide to compare options, then select a nearby location based on availability.