Maximalists and minimalists inhabit disparate worlds of taste.
Maximalists are flamboyant and showy. They dress up their homes with vibrant colors and fill up their spaces with abubot or burloloy. They think empty space is such a waste so they fill up every nook and cranny with either a plethora of things or a kaleidoscope of color. For them, there’s no such thing as sensory overload.
Minimalists, on the other hand, want a visually quiet space that exudes peace, serenity, and balance. They opt for neutrals or cool colors. Whatever objects you find in their homes are deliberately chosen and thoughtfully curated. There’s a reason for everything. They also believe in the importance of negative space in interior design.
Maximalism
‘More is more’ is the mantra of maximalism. The latest name for this type of design style today is eclectic maximalism, and it has the following features:
- bold jewel colors
- mix of patterns
- layers of textures
- personal meanings of objects in a space
- mix of eras and design styles
- sustainable approach, like the use of or repurposing of heirloom objects and/or pre-loved finds
Many homeowners may find this a difficult interior design style to pull off. But I think that if you know yourself well enough and what you want in your home, you’d know how to proceed. Start with specific areas or vignettes, like a picture wall or a reading nook. Make imaginary zones in the room. When you’ve got other ideas for the rest of the space, just move slowly and deliberately to decorate more areas. The more you do, the more confident you would become with all that practice. And color? Use that to tie the different zones so you get a cohesive space.
The Gen Z Aesthetic: How Young People are Styling Their Homes
If you’ve got Gen Zs in the house, ask them for ideas. Most probably they’d give you good tips. They love Maximalism, authenticity, sustainability, and a rainbow of colors to surround themselves with.
All in all, it makes for a joyous vibe.
Minimalism
If Maximalism is all about embracing abundance, Minimalism is all about ‘less is more.’ Its fans strive for restraint, balance, and calm in their space. More often than not, the colors would be neutral, either light or dark.
Functionality and open spaces are a priority. And to top it all, there is a desire for an impeccable craftsmanship in the finish of all features.
Here are some features for Minimalism:
- clean lines
- neutral colors
- monochromatic color palette
- natural materials
- functional furniture
- open spaces
- negative space
The founder of Simplify magazine Joshua Becker said, “Minimalism is not about living with the fewest number of possessions possible—in fact, it doesn’t apply strictly to physical possessions. Minimalism is about living with intention. It is about living with the right amount—not too much, not too little—so that our focus remains on what truly matters.”
Boysen Color Trend 2017
In Boysen’s Color Trend 2017, we made a palette called Maximal.
Another was called Minimal.
Click on the images above to see the different palettes and discover how each palette impacts a space.
Maximalism or Minimalism
These styles are still relevant today but there may be tweaks in the use of colors, as well as new options for materiality, and for furniture and furnishings as well.
These two interior design styles are not new at all. They’ve been around for decades, even centuries. It’s actually a misnomer to call them trends.
I know I’ve talked about design trends since we started this blog. Every time I do, I usually say that how you design your home is really up to you. I find it meaningless to follow trends so slavishly, especially for something as important as your home. Creating a home is a channel of self-expression, so listen to your own voice.
The times call for Minimalism’s focus on what truly matters. It also calls for Maximalism’s joyous spaces. So as to the question ‘Maximalism or Minimalism?’, the decision is totally yours.
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