So much has been written about maximalism in this blog. People seem to want to be surrounded by things that they hold dear, that reminds them of good memories and happy times, or that simply lift their energy just to be surrounded by stuff that speak to their heart. Whatever the reason, maximalism is still trending and is a go-to interior or fashion style for people who feel the need to express themselves and to celebrate their uniqueness.
Be Thrift Rich
This is an IG page I stumbled on in one of my mindless scrolling sessions. She’s Paige and she finds many of her stuff from secondhand stores, FB Marketplace, antique shops, garage sales, and so on.
Just like ukay ukay shops, we’ve got those in the Philippines too, if you know where to look.
Paige calls her style thrift rich, and she describes it as “a way of looking rich without actually being rich because you buy actual rich people’s old junk at a steep discount.”
She added,
…the best way to have a home filled with pieces your budget usually wouldn’t allow for is to incorporate secondhand shopping into your home design. Even if antiques or vintage pieces aren’t your thing you can find so many other trendy brands and (can’t) pieces that are brand new at a fraction of retail. The magic of shopping secondhand is that it can be done regardless of your personal style or home design aesthetic and is a way for you to stretch your [budget] even farther!
Know Your Interior Style First
Before you go and buy stuff, ask yourself what kind of interior style you’d like your home to have. Then when you are sure about it, you can then learn more about the style by reading more about it. Surf the web and look at photos for inspiration.
I actually have not visited a home here in the Philippines that has this French country style. Filipino farmhouse style, yes. And it can really be beautiful with the traditional features of a traditional Filipino home like a pitched roof and extended eaves, or a home that uses local materials.
Another style that I’ve seen much of, usually in big subdivisions or townships, is this modern style made of glass and concrete, like this Reverse House. These are usually spacious and have all the modern facilities. If this is your kind of home, how would you put your special stamp on it?
If you’re caught between two interior styles, what will you do? Follow the 80-20 rule in interior design and you should be able to achieve a happy balance.
As per the American Institute of Interior Design, “As long as 80% of your interior is unified by the same style, period, or philosophy, you can deviate with the other 20%.” In other words, pin firmly in your mind what your dominant style should be. Be disciplined about it—you want a maximalist home, not a confused one.
Stuffing Your Home With Stuff
Make decorating your home a joyful experience. It’s a way to know more about yourself and how you want your home to express your authentic self.
Do you have a healthy collection of stuff already? Then read about curated maximalism so you know how to be an “intentional clutterer.” If some of your things don’t fit or there are just too many, donate or sell some.
Tackle one room at a time to keep this decorating activity enjoyable. First, gather all the things you want to put in a room. Then, find the “thread” that ties them together. like a repeating color which you can then use as your wall paint color. Or you can make it easy for yourself, and select white or a neutral color to paint the walls.
Before you start with (re)painting, download the Boysen App from the Apple App Store for iOS users and the Google Play Store for Android users. This is your handy and reliable assistant to always have by your side when you are doing painting projects. And it is a free service from Boysen..
Good luck with (re)decorating and stuffing your home with stuff.
