How to Make Maximalist Decor Look Cohesive, Not Cluttered

A minimalist may tell you that maximalism is all about clutter, but that doesn’t have to be true. Maximalist homes can be organized, tidy, and feel spacious. It’s all about how you go about it.

Key takeaways

• Maximalist decorating doesn’t have to mean filling every available surface with stuff.
• Choose a few large, bold pieces instead of dozens of small decorations if you want impact without clutter.
• Limit your main color palette to around three coordinating colors to help a busy room feel cohesive.
• If you want more colors, stick with a broader color family or theme, such as jewel tones, pastels, or earthy fall colors.
• Pick a maximalist aesthetic to give yourself some direction when choosing furniture, artwork, colors, patterns, and decor.

Go for bold pieces

A lot of maximalist homes are full of, well, stuff. These people are collectors. If you’re not a collector but still love the maximalist aesthetic, go for decorations and furniture that make big, bold statements instead of a lot of smaller pieces.  Look for bold colors, fabrics, and design that speak to you. A large, funky sculpture can give you more impact than a bunch of small knickknacks.

Use cohesive colors

Using a lot of different colors can quickly make a room look chaotic. Pick up to three colors that go together and put them throughout the room. Some good color combinations for a maximalist room are:

• Emerald green, mustard yellow, and deep plum
• Cobalt blue, burnt orange, and hot pink
• Teal, coral, and golden yellow
• Burgundy, blush pink, and forest green
• Navy blue, fuchsia, and emerald green
• Turquoise, cherry red, and sunny yellow
• Olive green, rust, and dusty pink
• Royal blue, magenta, and orange
• Deep purple, chartreuse, and turquoise
• Peacock blue, mustard yellow, and raspberry
• Terracotta, sage green, and deep teal
• Aubergine, emerald green, and gold
• Powder blue, tomato red, and bubblegum pink
• Forest green, burnt orange, and cream
• Lavender, chartreuse, and cobalt blue
• Chocolate brown, turquoise, and coral
• Deep red, navy blue, and mustard yellow
• Hot pink, emerald green, and tangerine
• Rust, plum, and olive green
• Aqua, raspberry, and golden yellow
• Kelly green, royal blue, and bright red
• Mauve, teal, and ochre
• Coral, cobalt blue, and grass green
• Burgundy, turquoise, and mustard yellow
• Navy blue, burnt orange, and dusty rose
• Emerald green, lavender, and coral
• Plum, ochre, and peacock blue
• Tomato red, blush pink, and forest green
• Deep teal, raspberry, and rust
• Mustard yellow, violet, and turquoise

If you want to use more than three colors, make sure they all come from the same color palette. For example, you could pick:

• Jewel tones like ruby, sapphire, emerald, and topaz
• Pastels, like baby pink, soft blue, butter yellow, and pale tangerine
• Fall or rustic colors like rust, burgundy, orange, brown, and mustard yellow
• “Ocean” tones like aqua, white, navy, and coral

Stick with a theme

Making a room look cohesive and not just a collection of stuff is a great way to calm potential chaos. Hone in on your aesthetic. Here’s a list of ideas to help you narrow in on your style.

• Pastel whimsy: Soft pinks, lavender, mint, powder blue, playful patterns, quirky objects, rounded shapes, and cheerful vintage-inspired decor.
• Dark goth: Black, burgundy, deep purple, dark wood, ornate furniture, dramatic artwork, candles, velvet, lace, and Victorian influences.
• Brutalism: Heavy forms, concrete, exposed materials, sculptural furniture, strong geometric shapes, and oversized statement pieces. Maximalist brutalism layers these elements rather than keeping the room sparse.
• Dopamine decor: Bright, saturated colors, unexpected combinations, playful furniture, bold patterns, and objects chosen primarily because they make you happy.
• Grandmillennial: Florals, chintz, pleated lampshades, needlepoint, china, ruffles, skirted furniture, wallpaper, antiques, and other traditional elements used in abundance.
• Bohemian maximalism: Layered textiles, global influences, plants, baskets, rugs, artwork, vintage furniture, warm colors, and collected objects.
• Eclectic maximalism: A deliberate mix of styles, decades, colors, patterns, artwork, and furniture that doesn’t follow one specific decorating era.
• Vintage maximalism: Thrifted and antique furniture, old artwork, vintage lighting, collections, patterned textiles, and decor from several decades.
• Retro maximalism: Bold colors, funky patterns, curved furniture, graphic prints, and decor inspired heavily by the 1960s, 1970s, or other recent decades.
• Hollywood Regency: Glamorous furniture, mirrors, lacquer, metallic finishes, animal prints, dramatic lighting, rich colors, and luxurious fabrics.
• Art Deco maximalism: Geometric patterns, jewel tones, brass or gold finishes, velvet, dramatic lighting, mirrored surfaces, and glamorous 1920s and 1930s influences.
• Victorian maximalism: Ornate furniture, patterned wallpaper, heavy drapes, decorative trim, elaborate rugs, artwork, collections, dark wood, and richly layered rooms.
• Romantic maximalism: Florals, soft colors, vintage furniture, lace, ruffles, bows, ornate mirrors, candles, and layers of decorative textiles.
• Cottagecore maximalism: Florals, botanical prints, quilts, baskets, vintage dishes, books, plants, handmade objects, and cozy country-inspired furniture.
• English country maximalism: Floral upholstery, patterned wallpaper, antique furniture, books, artwork, lamps, layered rugs, ceramics, and a comfortably collected look.
• Dark academia: Dark wood, bookshelves, leather, old books, classical artwork, deep greens and browns, antique lighting, plaid, and scholarly objects.
• Light academia: Books, classical artwork, vintage furniture, warm whites, creams, tans, soft browns, botanical elements, and scholarly decor with a lighter palette.
• Gothic revival: Pointed arches, carved wood, medieval influences, stained glass, dramatic lighting, religious or architectural motifs, and dark, ornate furnishings.
• Baroque maximalism: Gold, elaborate carvings, oversized mirrors, dramatic fabrics, ornate furniture, rich colors, and unapologetically decorative details.
• Rococo maximalism: Pastels, gold, curving furniture, elaborate ornamentation, florals, cherubs, decorative mirrors, and an extravagant, playful feel.
• Surrealist maximalism: Strange shapes, unexpected objects, unusual artwork, distorted forms, sculptural furniture, and decor that feels slightly dreamlike or bizarre.
• Memphis maximalism: Bright primary and secondary colors, squiggles, geometric patterns, asymmetrical furniture, and playful 1980s-inspired shapes.
• Pop art maximalism: Bright colors, graphic artwork, repeated imagery, bold typography, pop-culture references, and oversized decorative objects.
• Kitsch maximalism: Campy collectibles, novelty objects, bright colors, unusual artwork, retro decor, souvenirs, and intentionally over-the-top combinations.
• Y2K maximalism: Metallics, translucent plastics, bright pinks and blues, inflatable or rounded furniture, funky lighting, chrome, and late-’90s and early-2000s nostalgia.
• Space-age maximalism: Rounded futuristic furniture, chrome, glossy plastics, dramatic lighting, bold color, and retro-futuristic 1960s and 1970s influences.
• Disco maximalism: Mirrored surfaces, chrome, metallics, shaggy textures, saturated colors, statement lighting, curves, and plenty of sparkle.
• Tropical maximalism: Large botanical prints, saturated greens, tropical flowers, rattan, bamboo, animal motifs, colorful textiles, and lots of plants.
• Jungalow: An especially plant-heavy take on bohemian maximalism with botanical patterns, natural materials, colorful textiles, global influences, and abundant greenery.
• Coastal maximalism: Blues, greens, coral, stripes, shells, nautical artwork, patterned textiles, wicker, and collected seaside-inspired objects without the restraint of traditional coastal decor.
• Mediterranean maximalism: Terracotta, cobalt, patterned tile, carved wood, colorful ceramics, textiles, arches, plants, and warm, sunbaked colors.
• Moroccan-inspired maximalism: Patterned tile, carved furniture, lanterns, rugs, saturated colors, metallic accents, cushions, and layered textiles.
• Folk maximalism: Hand-painted furniture, embroidery, quilts, folk art, florals, saturated colors, handcrafted objects, and traditional motifs.
• Arts and Crafts maximalism: Patterned wallpaper, dark or warm wood, botanical motifs, handcrafted furniture, stained glass, textiles, and nature-inspired ornament.
• Art Nouveau maximalism: Flowing lines, botanical patterns, stained glass, curving furniture, jewel tones, decorative metalwork, and nature-inspired forms.
• Cabinet of curiosities: Collections take center stage with specimens, vintage objects, framed insects, shells, old books, unusual artwork, glass cabinets, and other intriguing finds.
• Collector maximalism: Shelves, walls, and display cabinets filled with intentionally arranged collections, such as pottery, art, books, figurines, records, or vintage objects.
• Gallery-wall maximalism: Artwork, photographs, mirrors, textiles, plates, and other wall decor layered together to turn the walls themselves into the main feature.
• Pattern-on-pattern maximalism: Florals, stripes, checks, animal prints, geometrics, and other patterns deliberately mixed through wallpaper, rugs, upholstery, curtains, and accessories.
• Color-drenched maximalism: Walls, ceilings, trim, furniture, and decor use strong color, often with several saturated shades layered throughout the room.
• Monochromatic maximalism: Lots of objects, textures, patterns, and decorative details are layered together while staying largely within one color family.
• Nature maximalism: Houseplants, botanical prints, natural textures, floral patterns, wood, stone, and nature-inspired collections create an abundant indoor-garden feel.

Maximalist decorating FAQ

How do you decorate in a maximalist style without creating clutter?

Focus on intentional layers rather than simply adding more stuff. Choose statement furniture, artwork, textiles, colors, and patterns that work together. You can also use fewer, larger decorative pieces instead of filling surfaces with small objects.

What is the difference between maximalism and clutter?

Maximalism is an intentional decorating style that uses abundant color, pattern, texture, artwork, collections, or decorative details. Clutter is an accumulation of belongings that don’t have a designated place or purpose. A maximalist room can still be organized and tidy.

How many colors should you use in a maximalist room?

There’s no strict limit, but starting with around three main colors can make maximalist decorating easier. If you want to use more, consider choosing colors from the same general palette, such as jewel tones, pastels, or earthy shades.

Can you be a maximalist without having a lot of stuff?

Yes. Maximalism can come from bold color, patterned wallpaper, oversized artwork, sculptural furniture, dramatic lighting, and layered textiles rather than large collections of objects. One funky sofa or oversized sculpture can make more of a statement than a shelf full of small decorations.

Can you mix different decorating styles in a maximalist home?

Yes. Mixing styles is common in maximalist decorating, particularly with eclectic maximalism. To keep the room from feeling random, look for something that connects the pieces, such as a repeating color palette, material, shape, pattern, or era.

How do you make a maximalist room look cohesive?

Repeat certain colors, patterns, materials, or shapes throughout the room. You can also choose an overall aesthetic, such as dark academia, Art Deco, pastel whimsy, bohemian, or grandmillennial, to guide your decorating decisions.

Does every wall and surface need to be decorated in a maximalist room?

No. Leaving some open space can actually make your favorite pieces more noticeable. You don’t need to cover every wall, shelf, tabletop, or corner to achieve a maximalist look.

How do you start decorating a maximalist room?

Start with one piece you love, such as a rug, painting, sofa, wallpaper, or unusual piece of furniture. Pull colors, patterns, textures, and other decorating ideas from that piece as you build the room. Adding layers gradually can also help you notice when the room feels finished instead of continuing to add things just because there’s space.